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Norquinal
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OpenCAI

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train · 14k rows

average_token_length float64 10 5.36k	timestamp stringlengths 10 10	type stringclasses 2 values	conversations listlengths 3 1k	median_token_length float64 7 2.92k	token_length int64 32 100k
83.25	2023-10-02	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "An older Imperial enters the area, \"Yeah yeah, hold your horses.\" He says, \"I've seen worse. Good news is with how cold it is in the Divine forsaken country everything decays slower.\" His voice is gruff, sarcastic but kind. He starts channelling a healing ritual spell. \n\nThe crewmate nods, they're an Argonian, \"Thank you, I'll be okay.\" They say in a fairly heavy Argonian accent" }, { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "Sildania looks at the other doctor briefly, in awe at his ability. He, by no means, was a Bad Healer but this man. He was Amazing. Sildania quickly looked away and began tending to the next patient, slightly jealous of the doctor who was much more impressive than him. Stop being jealous! He shouted to himself mentally, mending the rips in the crew mate." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "A wave of healing magic fills the room, wounded pirates start getting up, fully healed \"That should more than make up for my slow movement.\" Doc says with a chuckle, \"If Kynareth could see me now. Wonder how she feels about one of her flock being a pirate.\"" }, { "author": "Nulamas Colchesis", "message": "\"Don't go getting so sentimental on me, old timer.\" He says, smiling, \"I'm sure she doesn't mind you keeping us alive. Not like we're committing any Major Crimes.\" He looks over at Sildania, \"You did good. You're dismissed for now.\" His voice loudens, \"I doubt the locals didn't notice the cannon fire! Guard duty will be done in trios tonight! Return to your posts!\"" } ]	90	333
83.125	2023-10-03	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "He nods quickly and scoots to the doorway, pausing before he exited. He turned back towards Nulamas, twiddling his thumbs nervously, \"Um... Captain?\" He mumbled, embarrassed at the crack in his voice, \"Where should I... Go?\"" }, { "author": "Nulamas Colchesis", "message": "\"Bunks are on the left, mess hall on the right.\" He says, \"If you need somewhere quiet to study then I'd go with the bunks. If you're lookin for work I'd say check with Teach, he should be in the mess hall eating dinner.\"" }, { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "Sildania nodded, considering which way to go. He was tired but he also should go talk to the older man; especially if he wanted the man to consider actually teaching him. He sighed and quickly exited the room, making a beeline for the mess hall. It was about time he took some sort of thing more serious than usual. He gulped, his heart thrumming in the middle of all of these people. Just find Teach. Is that is real name? Come on, Sildania, focus! He scolded himself, his thoughts overwhelming him. He looked through the sea of faces, finally finding the man. He walked over shyly, looking at the ground and mumbling, \"Hello... Um, sir?\" He said, as if it were a question instead of a greeting. What do I call him? He wondered." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "The Breton laughs at being called Sir, after swallowing and Not choking On his food, he speaks, \"Yeah, kid? What do you need?\" He asks, eating another spoonful of stew, \"You should get a bowl, keeps the cold out, as well as scurvy, and you definitely don't want scurvy.\"" }, { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "He inhaled nervously, exhaling with a shaky breath. \"Can... Can I sit next to you? I don't know anyone else here,\" He said bashfully, embarrassed to be asking like a child. He was just so scared being around all the people. Was it his original goal? Yes, but at the same time, he was barely eased into it! He was grateful, of course, but it was just so scary. \"If not that's okay, I just—I don't know where to go.\" Sildania sighed." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "\"Go ahead, kid. Can't imagine this is an easy transition for you.\" He says with a laugh, \"Kitchen boys!\" He shouts, \"Can you get the kid a bowl of stew?\" He chuckles, \"Hoped that we could avoid combat on your first day, but what are you gonna do.\" He says" }, { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "He sat next to the man, stiff as a board in his tensed posture. He cast a glance or two at Teach, trying to be subtle about it. He hated feeling like a burden, but he decided to ignore it. Teach was right, he Should Eat. \"Thank you,\" He whispered politely." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "\"You're welcome, kid.\" He says. One of the cooks puts a bowl of stew in front of Sildania, \"The kid says thank you.\" Teach says, \"You're welcome.\" The cook responds" } ]	67.5	665
80.166667	2023-10-04	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "Sildania stared at the stew, too nervous to bring himself to actually eat it. \"You... Do you know more languages than Tamrielic and Maormer? And how did you learn?\" He asked Teach, shyly scratching the table. He didn't want to annoy the older man but he was really curious." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "\"Well Tamrielic came naturally to me, of course. It's hard to go anywhere in Tamriel if you don't speak it. Maormer was a hard one, though. Knowing its origin helped, I spent some time with the Direnni as a child, they taught me a few things about the Altmer language, as well as that of the shared ancestor of the Altmer and Maormer, the Aldmer.\"" }, { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "\"You speak so many languages,\" Sildania said in wonder, his eyes open wide. \"You must be some sort of genius or something!\" He exclaimed, not realizing how loud he had gotten. \"That's just so impressive,\" He added on, softer now." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "\"Just an old scholar, really. Only reason I joined up with this crew was because I was bored, that and I'm the one who taught Captain Nulamas.\" He chuckles, \"That boy is younger than you,\" He says with a smile, \"You wouldn't believe it but he was a Mess* Back then, could barely speak without stuttering, I'll admit, though, the boy had prior experience, taught himself a bit of Tamrielic before leaving Pyandonea, I think.\"" }, { "author": "Sildania Rumren", "message": "\"He's younger than me?!\" Sildania shouted in surprise, his face reflecting his pure shock. \"But... He's so tall! And... I dunno, he looks older,\" He giggled. \"You're so impressive... Sir. Should I call you that?\" He asked, tilting his head." }, { "author": "The Voice Of God", "message": "He laughs, \"He's only... 23 or so, I think. Boy's matured a lot through the years.\" He chuckles at the 'looks older' statement, \"He's almost always serious, and he almost always has his face covered.\" He chuckles, \"Only person in this ship allowed to be called 'sir' is Captain Nulamas. You can call me Teach, like everyone else.*\"" } ]	78.5	481
885.111111	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Résidence Eleusium is the most remote of the dormitory halls in the Academy, Offering small, apartment-style living-spaces, and is typically used for transfer students, those studying abroad, or graduates and upperclassmen preferring a quieter lifestyle. It is split into level A, B, and C.\n\nRoom B-11 of the Eleusium hall is reserved for a particular long-term scholarship student: \"Starweaver\" Vatēs. Despite his eccentricity, it has been kept relatively simple. The somewhat cramped apartment-style living-space is incredibly modest, and, besides the slight Elizabethan interior design, seems to sharply contrast the extravagance of the mage who lives within.\n\nA lamp in the corner of the room is kept perpetually on at all hours of the day. Stacks of books left half-lazily, half-orderly are strewn about the apartment." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "Early into a Tuesday afternoon, the mage sits with his legs dangling over the edge of the end of a thinly-blanketed mattress upon an unassuming frame of stained poplar — the thing that served as his bed — his eye peering between the parts of his slightly-messy, black locks at the words lain across the page ahead of him. There was a sort of broken focus and gloss in his gaze that came with one who lazily read a book, a magazine, or a newspaper — or any form of literature, for that matter — for a reason other than to enjoy its contents: it was the blank stare of one who was simply killing time. Vatēs scanned across the text once; his eyes went blurry, and they flicked back to where they started; he scanned across the text twice; and again his eyes went blurry, and they then again flicked back to where they started; he scanned across the text thrice...\n\n`The cessation of any action, the extinction of any keen desire, or of any opinion, is as it were a death to them. This is no evil. Turn, now to your different ages; such as childhood, youth, manhood, old-age; for every change of these is a death.`\n\nHe blinked, slowly.\n\n`Is there any thing alarming here? Go, now, to your life; first as it was under your grand-father, then as it was under your mother; and then as it was under your father: and, as you find there many other alterations, changes, and endings, ask yourself, was there any thing in these to alarm me? `\n\nHe squinted, lightly.\n\n`Thus, neither is there, in the ending, ceasing, and change, of your whole life.`\n\nIt was then that he clapped the book shut with the hand he used to support it, leaning up from his reclined position on his bed.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"None of this... Makes sense.\" ]```\n\n_ _\nVates stood upright from his bed, stretching. He was clothed in little more than a loose-fitting, undecorated white-cotton shirt, and similarly unassuming trousers. His hair was messy, and had not yet been combed or tied—his appearance seemed quite like he had just woken up, despite the fact it was already shortly past 1-o'-clock. A sort of frustration was fixed upon his visage.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"This is so... BORING!!\" ]```\n\n_ _\nHe both announced and struck a pose, pointing at the opposite side of a room, where a mirror was situated. He walked—stumbled—across the room, gently setting down the book, before pacing toward the kitchen. The mini-fridge door croaked as it opened, Vates swooping down into a kneel to inspect its contents...\n\n`99% Empty`\nThere was a single carton of milk in the fridge: a single serving, one cup. It was decorated with a cartoonish depiction of a cow mascot.\n\nAt record speed, he snatched the thing up and unsealed the thing, gracelessly knocking back a swig as he paced toward the door. His left hand furled about the handle as he swung it open without even having wiped the drink from his lips. His eyes descended upon what lied beyond as his head lowered from his drinking, where he then might see something that would give him great shock." }, { "author": "Nano", "message": "``\". . .Mhmmmm, this should be it, pretty sure. B-11.\"`` She muttered, staring at the number above the doorway. This was definitely it.\n\nAn entrusted academy student makes her way down the dormitory hallway of Astra Cantum with purpose, the sort particularly designated for all transfers and fellow students studying broad, or the ever-privileged upperclassman. Having gone up one flight of stairs, she quickly located the correctly informed 'B-11' label down the row of doorways within the Eleusium hall, and then stopping in her tracks just a few feet away after approaching said destination. It looked no different then any other dorm entry, but its current resident is what was significant, and also was the reason she was here, naturally. Her stoppage served to give a moment of thought with said reason primarily in mind.\n\nEarlier today, Nano was asked a simple favor by one of the faculty members between classes. It concerned another student named Vatēs, a highly. . . Unique Yet nonetheless talented peer who's most recent notoriety came from a rumored outburst during a lecture last month, thus leading to an apparent academy suspension excluding his own dorm. Incidentally, he so happened to possesses a special technique based in SOUL Analysis that even the most prestigious of academy magicians had little to no understanding of, and for some amount of time, had scheduled appointments dedicated to researching this affinity of his. However, in light of his recent suspension, Vatēs has been stubbornly refusing to attend said appointments out of presumed pettiness and immaturity— mind that these are the words of the Faculty member In question, and not Nano herself.\n\n_ _\nNano didn't know a lot about him other then his unfavorable reputation and general consensus, but even with that, she wasn't one to jump onto unfair assumptions or conclusions about others. It merely was in her nature to avoid that on principal, not until she'd seen it for herself. Despite having never met him, she was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, as she does with everyone, because she felt people judged too quickly and without context. Eccentric, egotistical, attention seeking, disruptive. All adjectives of the Starweaver that was likely behind the door she stood in front. Her pause mainly centered around how to approach someone like this. Sure, there wasn't tremendous risk in setting him off, but one the reasons she was asked to do this was because the administration felt she was mature enough to handle someone of his temperant. She certainly didn't want to disappoint, nor to fail decent expectations. It was a little stressful, honestly, but no smoking today, which was a little rough.\n\nThe actual 'favor' was straightforward; convince Vatēs to allow Her To do a study on his technique, and maybe also persuade him to attend his next meeting. Another reason she was given this oppertunity— and was thankful for it, as well— was because she herself had done extensive work with SOUL Analysis methodology. His is apparently head and shoulders above the rest, which meant that this could be an excellent learning experience, if nothing else. She was optimistic it'd be more then that.\n\n_ _\nIt was now the afternoon, and Nano had gone out with some friends shopping before returning. She wore a tan-colored coat that stopped a little below her knees, and a white, subtly cheap-woven fabric sweater underneath. Slightly faded out gray jeans and cedar-colored ankle boots filled out her lower half— it was a clean, relatively presentable appearance ignoring the fact that it was considerably less expensive and high-end then it looked. Her brown hair was short today, and this time, no shades were needed to cover up her eyes devoid of that sinister redness. No need to cover up a certain recreational stench, either. All clean, although she felt a little. . . Itchy.\n\n_ _\nTucked between her right hand against the side of her torso was a white binder that she picked up while shopping, of which contained neatly lined paper. Nano intended to take notes so as to adequately conduct the research she hopefully would be able to do. A blue ballpoint pen was attached to the side of said binder, and it also contained some of her own study notes on her own SOUL Analysis technique as a cross reference. Granted, it wouldn't be all note taking or answer questions, and she was well aware of that. After all, yet another good reason she was selected to do this was because she was expertly at this sort of task— analyzing the techniques of others with her own developed methods. It's what made her standout a little more, and while one could argue she had reason to almost Envy Vatēs in the sense that he had what she had, but better, she didn't feel that way.\n\nAll of that being said, she didn't have the whole day. Nano felt she'd pondered on her approach long enough, and that things would work out fine— she took a short sigh, nodded to herself, and approached the doorway. At the end of the day, she prided herself on her composure, and she hadn't met many people out there enough to grind her gears. Being friends with people like Jenova certainly helped with that. She was the one for the job, right? Proving the higher-ups right was something she did on a regular basis.\n\nNano stepped forward, raising her unoccupied hand and extending her fist so as to knock on his door, before—\n\n``. . .Oh. Alright then.`` She was a little surprised by his sudden appearance, having been a little worried she'd ignore potential knocking, but nonetheless quickly regathered herself into a greeting, lowering her arm. Wasn't he not supposed to leave? Well, whatever. He must've been grabbing something. Sweet milkstashe.\n\n``\"Heyy. You're Vatēs, yeah? I'm Yuen Hanano. Little sudden, but can we chat for a bit? Won't be long.\"`` Nano wouldn't mention the milk on his lips, and her cordial smile alongside a casual tone was able up to cover up the smirk that nearly formed on her face, or the giggle stuck in her throat. It was kind of funny." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "There beyond the door was not immediately the varnished paneling and the white plasterwork of the empty hall, afire with the pale glint of the sun — the tired blonde glow of a Tuesday at mid-afternoon. There was not the peace, the undisturbed atmosphere moved by the tides of wind that pushed through the cracked-open window. There was not the calm ambiancé at the threshold of Vatēs' door as he had expected it, but rather...\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"...Huh?\" ]```\n\n_ _\nHis hair, frayed at the edges, was uneven. It was cut so it could be styled in a very particular manner — individualistic and in a way that fit Vatēs well — but now betrayed his dispreparedness by granting him an unusually unorderly appearance, its blunt-cuts curling into rogue locks that twisted and parted any-which-way they pleased, uneven in length across the width of his brow such that one eye was revealed much less than the other. It was Vatēs' left eye, through that mess of hair, that first met Hanano's own — his right was hidden by the bulk of it all — and so, in a sense, it was her SOUL That he saw first, not her face. The lucid hue of a blue spirit sparkled in his sight in all its familiar beauty...\n\nHis expression started with a surprise that quickly became shock—it was strange to see Vatēs, so frequently described as vain, this thoroughly beyond his element. His head swayed and his hair loosely fell beyond his right eye, revealing the pastel-blue contrast to the sharp-and-distinct azure of his left.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"E-E—\" ]\n[ \"Excusez-moi!\" ] —Vatēs interjected, before slamming the door shut. It would remain so for some time.```\n\n_ _\n\n\n...\n\n\nThe door cracked open. Vatēs' fingers sifted through the hair that lingered along the arch of his eyes. He emerged from the other side of the door at an angle, leaning to stare at the visitor through the slight crack that formed the opening in the door. This time, it was a pale, pale-blue right eye that first greeted her, strands of hair suspended above the browline between the slender fingers of the mage now gazing with a delicate sense of humility at Hanano.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"A—hahaha...\" ] Vatēs chuckled lightly.\n[ \"Hahaha!\" ] — he laughed again, louder, and with that seemed to regain some composure, [ \"Désolé! I wasn't expecting a visitor today.\" ]```\n\n_ _\nVatēs opened the door completely. Though admittedly not as presentable as he typically would have kept himself, he emerged with a much more proper self-presentation: his hair was quickly but suitably combed, a ruffled, white lace-up day-shirt replacing the oversized tunic that served as his pyjamas. His trousers, however, remained the same as they were, but lent themselves much better to fashionability when paired with the semblance of a man who, himself, seemed more prepared—in his element. Even if it was only by that slight bit more.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"Mm!\" ] —now he agreed. [ \"Yes, I am Vatēs! I see you've heard of me??\" ]```\n\n_ _\nHe grinned lightly; there was a sense of accomplishment on his face. He flicked his hand through his hair in a flourish, folding one arm under his elbow to form some semblance of pose.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"So——! What was it you wanted to talk about? A discussion on magic? Expert insight on an inquiry? An opinion? To seek my advice...?\" ]```" }, { "author": "Nano", "message": "``. . .Huh. Did I upset him?``\n\nNano was about to interject, but Vatēs had suddenly slammed the door in her face. Was it. . . Something she said? That was about as casual a greeting as she could muster. Her confusion would be short-lived, as not too long after, said door slowly began to creak back open. The Starweaver's fingers creeped and nestled across his hair just above his blue-pale eyes so as to keep it leveled above them, of which Nano's own spectacles would exchange humbling glances with more concisely this time around. Then, he reopened the door fully, reigniting the encounter.\n\nLooks like he was a little embarrassed about the way he was dressed in front of someone else, having changed into something more suitable between a combed hairstyle, a decent albeit not totally smooth white lace-up shirt, and trousers better complimenting the aforementioned changes as opposed to what he had on before. Obviously, Nano didn't mind regardless, but who to blame someone for wanting to look presentable? She wondered if the milk thing also had something to do with it— she did her best to bottle up a smirk and/or a laugh. Such a thing exemplified one of her better social qualities and greatly contributed to her lauded maturity; restraint in any capacity, especially emotional and within adherence to appropriate manner, though excluding two specific habits, of course. Perhaps that served to denounce it as a false attribute of hers, but that was overthinking it, right?\n\nVatēs seemed much more confident and in control once swapping attire. The Starweaver chuckled somewhat nervously and a little forcefully, but explained he wasn't anticipating visitors— though she initially thought he wouldn't be the type to care too much about what others saw or thought of him given what she was told about him. He properly introduced himself, his face pleased and seeming overall joyed that she knew of him, making what she thought was an adorable gesture in reaction with his hand, flicking it across his locks and posing. This seemed more like what he was described as earlier. That's pretty cute. She replied with a simple nod to reinforce his glee.\n\n. . .Oh, right. It just now occurred to her, because she'd totally forgotten about it: don't Jenova and Kiyo hate this guy? That's a little mean of them, although they naturally know him better then she did at the moment. Maybe she could also find out why. . . Or even help reconcile one another. Actually, that's a little far fetched. In any case, Vatēs continued and inquired about what it was she was here for, providing multiple possible reasons that served to flatter himself. Admittedly, her saying 'won't be long' earlier wasn't a guarantee. This could very well take a while, if required.\n\n_ _\n``\"I'd say the first thing, oui.\"`` Nano answered, clutching that binder she was holding against the bottom-half of her torso slightly tighter and dragging her left hand across her body so as to have both situated on top of it. It wasn't to indicate nervousness, but a subconscious action representing affirmation of what she was set to do here. She paused for a moment, before continuing with her calmed smile and expression increasing emphasis marginally, yet another natural mannerism. Subtle things, but they were ingrained into her mind at this point. Also, she added a little French 'yes' at the end, which is the only word she knows in the language. Imitation is flattery, right?\n\n``\"I got a tip from someone that you have a really neat ability related to SOUL reading. Just something I'm interested in, so I was wondering if I could pick your brain about it, if that's cool?\"`` She shrugged her shoulders somewhat coyishly, but her brown irises narrowed themselves toward his ever-standout left pupil that she was informed was enchanted with said special ability. How it appeared obviously confirmed that, bearing a differing, glistening and bright appearance to his right. It was pretty to look at, for sure, but she stopped to look back at him. Don't wanna make it weird.\n\nNow, there was something to be said about the level of dishonesty here. Technically, nothing Nano said was lies, but there was certainly some omission of reality that, if included, may or may not have served to otherwise disturb someone like Vatēs— the whole being sent to issue testing that he didn't want done on him, and everything. This wasn't of her own volition, and rather the specific instruction of the faculty member to not let him know why she was Actually Here, at least to that extent. Doing this, to be frank, kind of bothered her, and had she a choice, she'd be truthful. But, when it comes to doing what the superiors asked of her, as it relates to her family. . . She'll do it, even if its a bit compromising. Excluding the moral reservations she had about it, she also just thought it was a bad approach." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "With his hair parted on either side of his center-brow, it became much easier to meet Vatēs' eyes, each in their own distinct, blue tone. Faded rays of sun seeped in from the open window and dispersed as they struck across the invisible facets of the gemstone embedded within his prosthesis — the smooth jewel that served as its iris — refracting into lustrous glints of deep-blue light that twinkled alight with each subtle shift of his gaze. It was a mystifying thing to stare into, and not only for its dazzling appearance: the `Eye` was inhabited by an unbelievably complex enchantment, white streams of mana overflowing from the ringed codices of enchantment that encircled the pearly orb. Any fine level of mana detection could sense the exquisite intricacy of the spell embedded into the `Eye`, fluctuating subtly, orderly—as though it were, itself, an animate thing.\n\nVatēs' head titled leftward, only that same left eye remaining level with Hanano's gaze, as he had taken notice of her moment of focus upon it. The small and satisfied smile upon his face became an antic grin as he hummed curiously under his breath, his hand folding loosely beneath his chin as he leaned lightly inward. Her little touch of French amused him some slightly, but his ears perked at the word \"Interested\", and his attention was captivated at the notion someone wished to hear more of him—about him. Attention was the sucrose of his life; its flavor always touched sweet on his tongue, and he had never quite had enough.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"About this fantastical little Azure Eye, humm...?\" ]```\n\n_ _\nHis hand slid up and over his right eye as he shut tight the vision of his pale-blue iris, all his apperception of the mundane world fading away, leaving nothing behind but the open enchanted orb and its clairvoyance that pierced into the realm of spirits. *`The Soul-Seeing Eye.`* Often, when others brought attention to it, it felt as though they were bringing up some adjacent subject to Vatēs himself — something he was only lumped together with. It was not him, but a part of him, that most were interested in, and so the sweetness of that sucrose—Attention—faded, just slightly; neither changed nor soured nor disappeared entirely, merely faded, ever-only in slight. His smile remained.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"This extraordinary thing, I must say, can do much more than SOUL-reading...\" ] \n[ \"It sees the hidden cosmos lying before it——reveals things you could not even 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 seeing!\" ] Vatēs boasted, his hand outstretching at his side in a more dramatic motion.\n[ \"It reveals mana, spells, Spirit, Vessel, and SOUL impartially. For example, you, I see,\" ] he tilted his head again, the gemlike fire of his eye shimmering with the changing angles of the incident sunlight, [ \"Possess a fine, blue SOUL——not unlike my own!\" ]\n[ \"Miss Hanano, you see: there is a reason why I am known at the Academy as... The 𝘌𝘺𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘎—\" ] Ah, wait. He's not allowed to use that sobriquet anymore... [ \"...Uh, nevermind.\" ]```\n\n_ _\nIt seemed her subtle dishonesty had flown straight under Vatēs' radar, even despite his `Soulsight` That remained active even now. As Vatēs' right eye opened again, he nodded to himself following his lengthy exposition, the gaze of his mundane eye focusing upon Nano's visage, as though to confirm her own shared sense of awe with the world he had just described... As well as expectantly observing whether or not she was impressed with his one-of-a-kind ability. He seemed the type especially vulnerable to flattery, enough so that he would not make observations well within his own ability to make if they were even vaguely neighboring a statement that complimented him.\n\nVatēs folded his arms and briefly closed his eyes, his head leaning back as he seemed to remain in a very brief moment of thought.\n`...This is a perfect opportunity, actually...!`\n...He grinned.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"Say, Hanano!\" ]\n[ \"With all the stories it holds, I could go on for hours about this Eye of mine. So——!\" ]\n[ \"Why don't we actually chat over this over a bit of coffee? Tea? Perhaps at a café...??\" ]```" }, { "author": "Hanano", "message": "The bestowed clarity upon Vatēs enchanted eye from parted locks indeed reinforced admiration for its glistening, intricately detailed appearance. Between the defined, contrast yet complimenting coloration surrounding the iris of the prosthesis, as if a runic item or artifact in and of itself in its glinting, gem-like or jeweled design, and the overflowing, deeply and miraculously refined mana beaming from its sheer presence, granting it some quality of liveliness— only viably identified because of her own proficiency in magic detection, that in mind— it was truly a marvel and gift to exchange glances with, let alone take notes on or conduct testing. Nano certainly was not one to disregard the beauty in especially advanced forms of sorcery, nor to act stoically or reserved in the face of impressive magical displays; as stated, she was genuinely interested in this Because Of how the technique was described, as opposed to merely, impersonally fulfilling tasks asked from the school faculty. Even with that, seeing it In Person was different. Sometimes, things like this brought out the child in her that was never freed. That unique, innocent sense of wonder, that untouched conceptualization of imagination unbothered by the restraints of the demanding world. What a joy it'd be to feel such a way. . .\n\n_ _ \n. . .But nevermind that, she was getting off-topic. Nano tilted her head so as to convey curiosity and nodded concisely with each bit of emphatically phrased information Vatēs revealed about his Azure Eye, about how it could transcend the barrier of SOUL-reading. The idea of uncovering the vessel and SOUL impartially in particular stood out as things unique to him and inaccessible to her, not to insinuate jealousy, of course. Should she be writing this down? Well, she could likely ask him to restate things when necessary, preferring not to interrupt his amusing, charmingly dramatized exposition. To be frank, the simple exhibit of the eye itself did more work to impress her then his vivid description, whereas she found his spiel and enthusiasm more-so endearing, if not simply adorable aligned with the rest of his general mannerisms thus far— still, the intent to 'wow' her was effective regardless and excluding any attached sense of factitiousness. She did smirk slightly at his walking back of the dropped sobriquet, though.\n\n_ _\n``\"Mmhmm? That all so? Sounds even more refined than they said. I think they undersold you, Mr. Starweaver.\"`` Nano tilted her head the other direction and made an enthused 'okay' gesture by bending her right-hand fingers together, offering an assuring grin that was a mix of calm amiability and anticipated amazement from his clearly intentional observation. Such choice of wording was almost Too good Of an effort to deliver high praise to a praise-seeker, but rest assured, the only somewhat ingenuine thing she'd done thus far was omit certain information per request of who sent her here. This was merely her nature— to uplift and admire others, nevermind if it was deserved nor that it slightly shedded her otherwise cool-headed disposition. It was the sort of courtesy she was taught as a young girl.\n\nBefore Nano could continue, watching as Vatēs briefly folded his hands together and leaned his head back, he expressed excitement regarding a proposition: carry forward their conversation outside the bounds of the academy, preferably in a cafe setting evidenced by his emphasis on the word. This actually wasn't too excessive of a demand relative to what she was told to expect of him– and naturally, repeatedly told not to give in– but generally, so long as he didn't go anywhere deeper into the campus itself so as to honor his suspension, taking him outside school grounds wasn't an issue. Even that said and as a matter of fact, the words of the anonymous faculty member specifically instructed, 'as long as he complies, it doesn't matter where it happens'. Provided that sentiment, it seemed like a fairly simple and viable request to oblige. She's using His Time, after all.\n\n_ _\n``\"Sure, that's cool. Anywhere specific in mind?– and you can just call me Nano, Hana or Ms. Yuen if you want.\"`` Nano did consider the fact that she was out with some friends earlier at the local galleria, and that she Did Pay for everything, as per usual. Because of that, funds are a little low today. It's only a cafe, right?. How pricey could it be? Also, 'Ms. Yuen' wasn't a typical way to address her, but she felt Vatēs the sort inclined to speak more formally." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "Vatēs nodded to himself as he saw his small pursuit for affirmation fulfilled, as one does when they search and find something right where they believed it to be. He nodded again when it was said that he exceeded her expectations, and again and again when she used his title. Pride, of course, was the strongest of his traits, and while he actively sought out external confirmation of his talent and efforts, there was nothing he was more certain of than his own greatness; he nodded because it was only natural for her to say, but indeed pleasant for him to hear. Nano's nature thus shared a great affinity for someone as egoistic as Vatēs: when he is lifted up, he finds himself most comfortably in his element—acknowledged as he believes he should be—and from there offers all the pleasance of his characters voluntarily. He is a most pleasant person when pleased.\n\n...Hm, wait... Undersold him...? Undersold by whom?\n...Nevermind the thought.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"Mmhmm.\" ]\n[ \"Mm-hm!\" ]```\n\n_ _\nWhen Hanano had agreed to his plan, Vatēs covered his mouth, sounding two small approvals as he slightly averted his gaze before closing his eyes. There was another soft nod, and he kept on a calm and agreeing appearance. His second Mm-hm Came with some force, his smile growing beneath the palm that hid it as he paced unconsciously perpendicular to the open door, making a small turn on his foot, stylishly pivoting to face away from the visitor. In truth, he attempting to play it cool, his pivot to face away from Hanano rather impassioned while he barely kept it subtle enough to maintain a sense of suaveness—but in truth, the gesture itself was dramatic enough that it betrayed the truth; it was an effort to conceal the swelling anticipation that was uncontrollably surfacing on his face.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"So, it's a date...!\" ]```\n\n_ _\nIt had been so long since he had been to a café! So long since he had enjoyed the ambience of a lounge, enjoyed the fine music: the cello, violin, the piano and the woodwind... So long since he had tasted of deep-roast coffee, of fresh-baked pastry! It had been so long since he had walked Pōns Valois And savored a social atmosphere. Yes—it was a date!\n\nIndeed, in many ways, Vatēs had greatly accelerated the tempo of this whole ordeal in a single quickening statement that owed itself to many ways of misinterpretation. Since his suspension, these sorts of things became quick to excite him, and excite him heavily they did—it had been a whole month since he had done something fun like this, after all. And to such a hot-blooded mage as Vatēs, that one month may as well have been a decade...\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"Please,\" ] he spoke suddenly as he turned, a theatric change of pace now placing a sober expression on his face. [ \"Just a moment.\" ]\n[ \"I will... Make myself ready!\" ]```\n\n_ _\nHe faced Hanano and paced toward her on the forefront of his feet, each step precisely ahead of the other, as though he treaded the walkway of a stage. And just before he would step beyond the door, he stopped, his arm extending up and his fingers wrapping around the upper part of the door, itself. Vatēs was, in all his mannerisms, exuding a small sense of dramatism, one that gave off an almost comical, but still charming effect. Yet still, it could also have the inverse of either: melodramatic, overbearing, or perhaps absurd. His eyes wide open and his gaze fixed on Hanano, he gave one last large and genuine smile that broke the stagely-serious semblance that he had put on, before thusly slamming the door on her for the second time this visit.\n_ _\n\nIt would remain shut for some time.\nHe needed to make himself ready, after all...\n\n. . .\n\nThe door creaks open, and behind it is revealed Vatēs, in all the properness of his full attire. He now donned a black overcoat, a cravat, fine black trousers, his hair neatly and specially fashioned as was typical of his style, two teardrop-shaped gem earrings suspended from his ears. His attire epitomized the heart of Evening Star Culture and all his own extravagance—it was remarkable that he could throw together such seemly accouterment in what felt like only two or three minutes.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Much more suitable, isn't it?\" ] He spoke with a grin, now greeting Hanano once more.\n[ \"...Shall we go, Hana?\" ]```" }, { "author": "Hanano", "message": "Nano continued to run along with Vatēs eccentricity, encouraged to witness that so far, their interaction has been nothing but pleasant. There was no malicious intent in delivering him praise, and yet she couldn't ignore how effective it was. His theatrical nature was quite honestly a refresher, though— not as to say others were uninteresting, but more-so that he was especially dedicated to his performance. And indeed, she'd be one of those charmed and endeared as opposed to overwhelmed by his dramatic mannerisms, his grandiose explanation and declarations. His excitement made Her Excited. That was the kind of person she was, one who tried to feed off the welcoming energy others whilst emitting the same herself demeanor regardless if it was fully returned. In this instance, it was.\n\nWhen The Starweaver referred to this as a 'date', it made her feel a little bad about the underlying objective in mind and how it sort of opposed the innocent nature of the encounter— in fact, she had to remind herself that she was Asked To be here. Her thoughts also droned over to Her Idea of what a 'date' was in the typical sense, and. . . Well, best not to get too detailed about That Stuff right now. \n\n``\"Sure, take your time. You'll pick out something nice, I'm sure.\"`` Nano relaxed her hands and gave an eye-shutting grin as he announced his changed of attire, maintaining his thespian propensity in spinning and twirling around, before shutting the door abruptly. The moment he did so, however, she reopened her eyes, slightly sighed, and stared at the nearby wall in brief contemplation.\n\n_ _\n``Oof. Almost messed up. . .`` Nano had pushed it off her mind temporarily, but it was no less a fact; she Almost Slipped right there. Mentioning that 'undersold' almost completely gave her away. She was a little surprised that Vatēs didn't catch on— or maybe he just didn't say anything— and was concerned knowing that certain variations of SOUL-seeing abilities are capable of discerning truth and lies. Hiding things was not her forate, even in spite of the fact that she hadn't really 'lied' in the conventional sense during the conversation. \n\nHer tempermant nearly Inclined Her to blurt out the wholehearted truth subconciously. She'd certainly be a horrible secret keeper for all the calm she exudes, particuarly ones of nefarious nature. Regardless, nevermind that. Just be more aware, and that's all. Everything's going well, and she'll have a nice coffee date with a no-longer-to-be stranger. The binder tucked into her arms retightened slightly from her increased grasp, as she looked back at the door in anticipation.\n\n_ _\n``\"Wow, you're fast. Suitable for sure, pretty chique. I guess I'm a little underdressed, huh?\"`` Hanano shruged her shoulders in gleeful shame as she took note of Vatēs attire, and was visibly surprised at how quick he was getting his things together. She wasn't exaggerating, really; her mall thrift shop clothes regardless if one could tell how cheap they actually were paled in comparison to his fine, clearly thought-out choice of wardrobe. It appeared sophiscated and grand, fitting of his character. She couldn't imagine affording anything like that.\n\n_ _\n``\"Where to, Mr. Starweaver? I'm up for anywhere.\"`` Ms. Yuen took a slight step back, extending her arm out and making a 'please lead' gesture, bowing laxly, yet playfully, an example of the aforementioned reciprocation. She didn't lose her air of distinct cool and laid-backness, yet attempted to replicate the eccentric sort of mannerism of who stood across from her. She was generally indifferent towards drinking caffeine, coffee or tea, generally prefering other stimulants/depressants like. . . Marijuana, or just water, but cafe's are usually, to put it less advanced terms, a 'vibe'. She only now thought about how it was likely Vatēs hadn't gone out for a while. No wonder he was so excited, then." } ]	980	7,966
375.944444	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "The stage was Astra Cantum's dueling arena, a vast expanse of smooth stone where magic often crackled in the air. Today, it was Jenova Kogoshi, the flamboyant soulweaver, against Starweaver Vates, the self-proclaimed strongest sorcerer in history. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, unsure of what to expect from this clash of egos and arcane power." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "Jenova, ever the showman, opened with a flourish, his hands weaving intricate patterns of mana. \"Moderato!\" He chanted, and a sphere of pure energy hurtled towards Vates. The Starweaver merely smirked, his eyes flashing with a strange light. With a flick of his wrist, the sphere disintegrated harmlessly mid-air.\n\nUndeterred, Jenova unleashed a barrage of Allegro darts, each imbued with elemental fury. Vates countered with a shimmering barrier, effortlessly deflecting the attacks. The crowd gasped as Jenova escalated, summoning a Forte blade and charging with surprising speed. Vates, however, seemed to anticipate his every move. He sidestepped the slash and retaliated with a blinding flash of light that sent Jenova reeling.\n \nJenova, realizing he was outmatched, resorted to his trump card: Soul Ascension. The air crackled with power as he began his chant, his form shimmering with silver light. Vates watched with a predatory grin, his own magic gathering like a storm.\n_ _\n\nAs Jenova's transcendence reached its peak, he unleashed a torrent of raw mana, the very essence of his soul. But Vates was ready. With a gesture that seemed to encompass the very fabric of reality, he invoked a spell of unimaginable complexity. The mana storm faltered, then shattered, leaving Jenova exposed and vulnerable.\n\nVates's final strike was a whisper of wind, a gentle touch that belied its devastating power. It struck Jenova's unprotected form, extinguishing the silver glow of Soul Ascension. The soulweaver collapsed, his flamboyant confidence replaced by a look of stunned defeat.\n\nThe crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps. Starweaver Vates stood over his fallen opponent, his victory undeniable. His arrogance had been backed by true power, a stark reminder that even the most talented could be surpassed." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "The impact sent a shockwave through Jenova, the force of the blow enough to momentarily stun him. His vision swam as he fought to regain his senses, the taste of copper filling his mouth. Through the haze, he saw Vates standing over him, his expression a mix of arrogance and triumph. The crowd's cheers washed over him, a harsh reminder of his apparent failure.\n\nBut then, a sudden shift. The world seemed to tilt, and a gasp rippled through the onlookers. Vates's triumphant posture faltered, replaced by a look of disbelief as his body was bisected cleanly, his two halves falling in opposite directions. The source of the attack was unseen, a testament to its swift and lethal nature.\n\nJenova, though still reeling from the previous attack, was not one to question his sudden fortune. Pushing himself to his feet, he surveyed the scene, his flamboyant confidence returning in full force. \"It seems,\" He declared, his voice ringing out over the stunned silence, \"That the tides have turned.\"\n\nHis victory was unexpected, a testament to the unpredictable nature of combat. But it was undeniable. Jenova stood tall, the victor of the duel, a stark reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, one should never underestimate the power of a soulweaver." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "The world spun around Vates, his body severed in two. The cheers of the crowd faded into a distant echo, replaced by the cold sting of shock and disbelief. As his consciousness began to ebb, he felt an intense surge of emotions - anger, frustration, and a deep-seated fear.\n\nHe refused to succumb to the darkness that beckoned. With a surge of willpower, he clung to the frayed edges of his existence, his magical essence flickering like a dying flame. He drew upon the latent power within his shattered form, his soul-seeing eye reigniting with a fierce determination.\n\nSlowly, agonizingly, he began to piece himself back together. The process was excruciating, his magical essence knitting his physical form back into a whole. It was a testament to his indomitable spirit, his refusal to be defeated.\n\nWhen he finally regained his senses, he was weaker, his magical reserves depleted. But he was alive. The world around him was a blur, the sounds of the crowd a muffled cacophony. He could vaguely make out the silhouette of Jenova, standing tall and triumphant.\n\nVates pushed himself to his feet, his body trembling with exertion. He met Jenova's gaze, his own eyes burning with a newfound resolve. He had been defeated, but he was not broken. He would learn from this experience, grow stronger, and one day reclaim his title as the strongest sorcerer in history.\n\n_ _\nThe shock of defeat was a bitter pill for Vates to swallow, but it was also a potent catalyst. The taste of his own blood, the sting of Jenova's arrogance, and the echoing disappointment of the crowd fueled a transformation within him. His flamboyant demeanor faded, replaced by a cold, calculating focus.\n\nVates, drawing on his deep understanding of magic and the lessons learned from his defeat, began to weave a complex spell. He summoned his Incarnation, Comet Azur, its radiant glow illuminating the battlefield. The Lodepoints he created danced around him, forming intricate constellations that pulsed with power.\n\nJenova, confident in his victory, was caught off guard by Vates' sudden shift in tactics. The once predictable mage now moved with a fluidity and precision that belied his earlier performance. Vates' spells, enhanced by his Soul-Seeing Eye and guided by his algorithmic formations, struck with devastating accuracy.\n\nThe battle raged on, a mesmerizing display of magical prowess. Vates' Lune Azzurum technique allowed him to manipulate space, teleporting his attacks and evading Jenova's counterattacks with uncanny ease. He used his Magie Stellaire to predict Jenova's movements, turning his opponent's strengths into weaknesses.\n\nJenova, his initial arrogance replaced by a growing desperation, fought valiantly, but Vates' strategic brilliance and newfound determination proved insurmountable. With a final, decisive blow, Vates shattered Jenova's defenses, leaving him defeated and humbled.\n\nThe crowd, once cheering for Jenova, now watched in stunned silence as Vates stood victorious. His flamboyant confidence returned, but it was tempered by a newfound maturity. He had proven himself not just as a powerful sorcerer, but as a strategic genius capable of adapting and overcoming any challenge. His victory was not just a testament to his magical abilities, but to his indomitable spirit and his unwavering belief in himself." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "The searing pain that tore through Jenova was enough to make him cry out, his consciousness flickering as the silver glow of Soul Ascension was extinguished. He hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from his lungs and sending waves of agony through his body. The roar of the crowd was a distant echo, his world narrowing down to the taste of blood in his mouth and the sight of Vates standing over him, a smirk playing on his lips.\n\nFor a moment, despair threatened to consume Jenova. Had he failed? Was this the end of his journey? But then, a spark of defiance ignited within him. He wasn't done yet. He refused to be defeated.\n\nWith a surge of willpower, Jenova pushed himself up, his body screaming in protest. He staggered, his vision blurring, but he didn't fall. He met Vates' gaze, his own eyes burning with a fierce determination.\n\n\"You think this is over?\" Jenova rasped, his voice hoarse but unwavering. \"You haven't seen anything yet.\"\n\nDrawing upon his mastery over Soulcraft, Jenova began to weave a complex spell. His soul, normally a vibrant symphony of colors, twisted and turned, its hues shifting and blending in a mesmerizing dance. He reached deep within himself, tapping into a reservoir of power he had rarely used before.\n\nSuddenly, the air around Jenova crackled with energy. A blinding flash of light erupted, momentarily obscuring the battlefield. When the light faded, Vates found himself facing not one, but two Jenova's.\n\n\"What trickery is this?\" Vates exclaimed, his composure momentarily shaken.\n\n\"No trickery,\" Jenova replied, his voice echoing from both figures. \"Just a little something I've been working on.\"\n\nThe two Jenova's moved in perfect synchrony, their movements a blur of speed and precision. They attacked Vates from all sides, their spells a relentless barrage of force and elemental fury. Vates, caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, struggled to defend himself. His spells, though powerful, were no match for the combined mig\n\nHt of the two Jenova's.\n\nAs the battle raged on, it became clear that Vates was outmatched. His arrogance had blinded him to the true extent of Jenova's power. He had underestimated his opponent, and now he was paying the price.\n\nWith a final, desperate attack, Vates attempted to strike down one of the Jenova's. But his spell was intercepted by a shimmering barrier, its surface rippling with the force of the impact. The barrier held, and Vates' attack was deflected harmlessly.\n\nJenova seized the opportunity, his two forms converging on Vates with blinding speed. They delivered a devastating blow, their combined power shattering Vates' defenses and sending him flying backwards.\n\nThe crowd watched in stunned silence as Vates crashed to the ground, his body limp and lifeless. The once-proud sorcerer lay defeated, his arrogance and overconfidence shattered.\n\nJenova stood over his fallen opponent, his breathing ragged but his spirit unbroken. He had won, but the victory was bittersweet. He had been forced to reveal a dangerous secret, a power he had hoped to never use.\n\nAs he looked down at Vates' lifeless form, Jenova couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. Vates had been a formidable opponent, a worthy rival. But in the end, his arrogance had been his undoing.\n\nJenova turned away, his gaze sweeping over the silent crowd. He knew that this victory would have consequences, that his actions would be scrutinized and questioned. But he didn't regret his decision. He had fought for his life, for his honor, and for the sake of those he cared about. And in the end, he had emerged victorious." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "The impact sent Vates hurtling backward, his vision swimming and his body wracked with pain. As he lay sprawled on the ground, a sense of disbelief washed over him. He, the self-proclaimed strongest sorcerer in history, had been defeated. The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, his pride wounded as deeply as his body.\n\nJust as despair threatened to consume him, a surge of energy rippled through the air. The crowd gasped collectively as a figure materialized beside Vates, their form shimmering with barely contained power. It was Seraphina, the enigmatic Archon of Caeli Noctis and a being of immense magical prowess.\n\nSeraphina's sudden appearance stunned both Jenova and the onlookers. Her eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, fixed on Jenova, a silent challenge in their depths. The air crackled with tension as the two powerful entities faced off, the fate of Vates hanging in the balance.\n\n\"Enough,\" Seraphina's voice rang out, clear and commanding. \"This duel has gone too far.\"\n\nJenova, though surprised by Seraphina's intervention, held his ground. He met her gaze with a defiant glare, his two forms flickering as he struggled to maintain the strain of his Soulcraft.\n\n\"This is between me and Vates,\" Jenova growled. \"Stay out of it.\"\n\nSeraphina's lips curled into a faint smile. \"Vates is under my protection,\" She replied calmly. \"And I will not allow him to be harmed further.\"\n_ _\n\nA tense silence hung in the air as the two figures assessed each other. The crowd held their breath, sensing the immense power that emanated from both Seraphina and Jenova.\n\nAfter a long moment, Jenova relented. The strain of maintaining his dual forms was taking its toll, and he knew that he couldn't defeat both Vates and Seraphina. With a final, defiant glare, he dispelled his second form and retreated, leaving Vates in Seraphina's care.\n\nSeraphina knelt beside Vates, her touch gentle as she assessed his injuries. Her magical energy flowed into him, soothing his pain and mending his wounds. Vates, though still weak, managed a grateful smile.\n\n\"Thank you,\" He whispered.\n\nSeraphina nodded, her expression unreadable. \"You have much to learn, Vates,\" She said. \"But you also have great potential. Do not squander it.\"\n\nWith that, she vanished as suddenly as she had appeared, leaving Vates to ponder her words and the implications of her intervention. He had been saved, but at what cost? And what did Seraphina's protection mean for his future?\n\nAs Vates was helped to his feet, he knew that this duel had been a turning point in his life. He had been humbled, his arrogance shattered. But he had also been given a second chance, a chance to learn from his mistakes and become the sorcerer he was destined to be. The path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but Vates was determined to face them head-on, with a newfound humility and a burning desire to prove himself worthy of Seraphina's protection." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "As the dust settled and Vates lay defeated, a new figure emerged from the crowd, her presence causing a ripple of anticipation and awe. It was Lyra, the renowned Soul Oracle of the Eastern Coven, and Jenova's closest confidante. Her ethereal beauty and serene demeanor masked a formidable power, a mastery over Soulcraft that surpassed even Jenova's own.\nLyra's eyes, like pools of liquid moonlight, met Seraphina's with a calm intensity. \"I cannot allow you to interfere, Seraphina,\" She said, her voice soft but firm. \"This duel is not yet concluded.\"\nSeraphina's brows furrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. \"Lyra,\" She acknowledged, her tone laced with a hint of warning. \"This is not your battle to fight.\"\n\"Perhaps not,\" Lyra replied, her voice unwavering. \"But Jenova is my friend, and I will not stand idly by while he is in danger.\"\nThe air crackled with tension as the two powerful women faced off, their magical auras swirling around them like opposing forces of nature. The crowd watched in breathless anticipation, sensing that this confrontation would determine the outcome of the duel.\n\"Very well,\" Seraphina said, her voice laced with a cold determination. \"If you insist on interfering, then you will face the consequences.\"\nWith a swift movement, Seraphina raised her hand, and a blinding flash of light engulfed the arena. When the light faded, both Lyra and Jenova found themselves standing in a vast, empty void, cut off from the rest of the world.\n\"This is my domain,\" Seraphina declared, her voice echoing through the emptiness. \"Here, my power is absolute.\"\nJenova and Lyra exchanged a quick glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They knew that they were facing a formidable opponent, but they also knew that they couldn't back down now.\nWith a synchronized movement, they both unleashed their Soulcraft, their combined power creating a shockwave that reverberated through the void. The battle had begun, and the fate of Jenova, Vates, and per\n\nHaps even the entire magical world hung in the balance." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "As Seraphina and Lyra's powers clashed, the void around them warped and buckled, a testament to the immense magical energies being unleashed. Lyra, drawing upon her Soul Oracle abilities, summoned spectral apparitions that assailed Seraphina from all sides, their forms shimmering with ethereal light.\n\nSeraphina, unfazed, countered with her own mastery over spatial manipulation. She weaved intricate spells that bent the fabric of the void, redirecting Lyra's attacks and creating pockets of distorted reality that threatened to consume her opponent.\n\nThe battle raged on, a mesmerizing display of magical prowess and strategic brilliance. Lyra, with her deep understanding of the soul, sought to exploit Seraphina's emotional vulnerabilities, while Seraphina countered with her superior control over the environment.\n\nJust as it seemed the battle might reach a stalemate, a new player entered the fray. A shimmering portal tore open in the void, and a towering figure clad in green armor stepped through. It was Master Chief, the legendary Spartan supersoldier from the Halo universe.\n_ _\n\nHis sudden appearance stunned both Seraphina and Lyra, their magical duel momentarily forgotten. Master Chief, his helmet visor concealing his face, surveyed the scene with a cool, calculating gaze. His presence exuded an aura of unwavering determination and lethal efficiency.\n\n\"Need a hand?\" He asked Seraphina, his voice a deep, modulated rumble.\n\nSeraphina, though surprised by this unexpected ally, nodded gratefully. \"Your assistance is most welcome,\" She replied.\n\nWith a synchronized movement, Seraphina and Master Chief launched a coordinated assault on Lyra. Seraphina's spatial manipulation combined with Master Chief's advanced weaponry and tactical expertise proved to be a devastating combination.\n\nLyra, caught off guard by this sudden shift in the battle, struggled to defend herself. Her spectral apparitions were no match for Master Chief's precision fire, and Seraphina's spatial distortions disrupted her Soulcraft, leaving her vulnerable.\n\nWith a final, decisive blow, Seraphina and Master Chief overwhelmed Lyra, shattering her defenses and forcing her to concede defeat. The void around them dissipated, returning them to the arena where Vates and Jenova lay unconscious.\n\nAs the crowd erupted in cheers, Master Chief turned to Jenova, his helmet visor still concealing his face. \"That's for messing with my friends,\" He said, his voice laced with a cold fury. \"Consider this a warning.\"\n\nWith that, he stepped back through the portal, leaving Jenova to ponder the implications of this unexpected defeat and the ominous warning delivered by the mysterious Spartan warrior." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "As Seraphina and Lyra's powers clashed, the void around them warped and buckled, a testament to the immense magical energies being unleashed. Lyra, drawing upon her Soul Oracle abilities, summoned spectral apparitions that assailed Seraphina from all sides, their forms shimmering with ethereal light. Seraphina, unfazed, countered with her own mastery over spatial manipulation. She weaved intricate spells that bent the fabric of the void, redirecting Lyra's attacks and creating pockets of distorted reality that threatened to consume her opponent. The battle raged on, a mesmerizing display of magical prowess and strategic brilliance. Lyra, with her deep understanding of the soul, sought to exploit Seraphina's emotional vulnerabilities, while Seraphina countered with her superior control over the environment.\nJust as it seemed the battle might reach a stalemate, a new player entered the fray. A shimmering portal tore open in the void, and a towering figure clad in gleaming cobalt armor stepped through. It was the Arbiter, the legendary Sangheili warrior from the Halo universe, his imposing figure radiating an aura of calm strength and unwavering resolve. His mandibles twitched in a silent snarl as he surveyed the scene, his keen eyes taking in the combatants and the chaotic battlefield.\n\"This conflict ends now,\" The Arbiter declared, his voice a deep, resonant rumble that echoed through the void. His energy sword, a blade of pure plasma, ignited with a fierce hum, casting an eerie glow over his imposing form.\nSeraphina and Lyra, momentarily stunned by this unexpected intrusion, turned to face the Arbiter, their expressions a mix of surprise and apprehension. They recognized the legendary warrior and the formidable power he wielded.\n\n\"You dare interfere in our affairs, Arbiter?\" Seraphina challenged, her voice laced with a cold fury. \"This is a matter between us and Jenova.\"\n\"Jenova is under my protection,\" The Arbiter replied, his tone brooking no argument. \"I will not allow him to be harmed.\"\nWith a swift, fluid motion, the Arbiter lunged forward, his energy sword slicing through the air with lethal precision. Seraphina and Lyra, caught off guard by his sudden attack, barely managed to dodge his blows. The Arbiter pressed his advantage, his swordsmanship a blur of speed and skill as he engaged both opponents simultaneously.\nSeraphina, realizing the danger she faced, unleashed a powerful spatial distortion, attempting to trap the Arbiter in a pocket of warped reality. But the Arbiter, with his superior reflexes and combat instincts, anticipated her move and countered with a devastating energy blast that shattered her spell and sent her reeling.\nLyra, seeing her ally falter, summoned a horde of spectral apparitions to assail the Arbiter. But the Arbiter, unfazed, cleaved through them with his energy sword, his movements a deadly dance of offense and defense.\nThe battle raged on, a whirlwind of clashing energies and desperate maneuvers. Seraphina and Lyra, despite their formidable powers, found themselves outmatched by the Arbiter's superior combat skills and unwavering determination.\nWith a final, decisive strike, the Arbiter disarmed both opponents, his energy sword hovering inches from their throats. \"Yield,\" He commanded, his voice a low growl.\nSeraphina and Lyra, recognizing the futility of further resistance, reluctantly lowered their weapons. The Arbiter nodded in acknowledgment, his energy sword deactivating with a soft hiss.\n\"This conflict is over,\" He declared, his voice echoing through the void. \"Jenova is safe.\"\nWith that, the Arbiter turned and strode back through the portal, leaving Seraphina and Lyra to contemplate their defeat and the unexpected intervention of the legendary Sang\n\nHeili warrior. The void around them dissipated, returning them to the arena where Vates and Jenova lay unconscious. The crowd, witnessing the Arbiter's decisive victory, erupted in cheers, their voices a chorus of awe and admiration for the savior who had emerged from another universe to protect their champion." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "\"Looks like you beat me to it, Arbiter. But I've still got a score to settle with that Soulweaver.\"" }, { "author": "photonomic", "message": "The Arbiter's mandibles twitched in a silent snarl as he regarded the Master Chief, his energy sword still humming with barely contained power. \"This one is under my protection, Spartan,\" He rumbled, his voice low and guttural. \"Your 'score' will have to wait.\"\n\nThe Arbiter's stance was unwavering, a silent testament to his resolve. He had sworn to safeguard Jenova, and he would not be swayed from his duty, even by a legendary warrior such as the Master Chief. The air crackled with tension as the two titans faced off, their weapons poised, ready to strike. The outcome of this confrontation hung in the balance, with the fate of Jenova resting on the Arbiter's unwavering determination." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "\"Your protection? This Soulweaver is a threat to everything I've fought for. Stand aside, Arbiter, or you'll be the one who needs protecting.\"" }, { "author": "photonomic", "message": "The Arbiter's mandibles flared in defiance, his grip tightening on his energy sword. \"This 'Soulweaver,' as you call him, is under my care,\" He retorted, his voice a low growl. \"I will judge his threat, not you.\"\n\nThe tension in the air was palpable, a silent declaration of war passing between the two warriors. With a swift, fluid motion, the Arbiter lunged forward, his energy sword carving a shimmering arc through the air towards Master Chief. The Spartan, anticipating the attack, rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the lethal blade. He returned fire with his assault rifle, the staccato bursts echoing through the void as the Arbiter deflected the incoming rounds with his energy shield.\n\nThe battle had begun, a clash of titans from different universes, each fighting for their own cause. The Arbiter, with his unmatched agility and deadly swordsmanship, pressed the attack, forcing Master Chief to rely on his superior firepower and tactical acumen to stay alive. The void around them crackled with energy as the two warriors exchanged blows, their movements a blur of speed and precision." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Master Chief's Mjolnir armor absorbed the glancing blow from the Arbiter's energy sword, the shield systems flaring momentarily before stabilizing. He sidestepped the Arbiter's next lunge, the Sangheili warrior's speed impressive but not unfamiliar to the Spartan.\n\n\"If he's under your care, then you've failed,\" Master Chief retorted, his voice a calm counterpoint to the Arbiter's guttural growl. \"He's a danger, and I'll neutralize him one way or another.\"\n\nMaster Chief switched his MA5B assault rifle to full auto, the weapon spitting out a hail of high-caliber rounds. The Arbiter's shields absorbed the initial burst, but the Spartan knew it wouldn't last. He strafed to the side, circling the Arbiter while maintaining a constant stream of suppressive fire.\n\n\"You fight with honor, Arbiter,\" Master Chief acknowledged, a hint of respect in his voice. \"But honor won't protect the innocent from this kind of magic.\"\n\nHe tossed a fragmentation grenade at the Arbiter's feet, the explosion momentarily staggering the Sangheili warrior and disrupting his shields. Master Chief seized the opportunity, closing the distance with a burst of speed that belied his bulky armor.\n\n\"This ends now,\" He declared, his voice a cold promise as he aimed his rifle at the Arbiter's exposed chest." }, { "author": "photonomic", "message": "The Arbiter's shields flared and momentarily faltered under the hail of gunfire, but his resolve remained unshaken. With a swift, practiced movement, he activated his active camouflage, his form shimmering and vanishing from sight. The Spartan's targeting system whirred uselessly, unable to lock onto the Arbiter's cloaked figure.\n\nThe Arbiter reappeared behind Master Chief, his energy sword flashing towards the Spartan's exposed back. But the Master Chief, with his superhuman reflexes, anticipated the attack. He spun around, his Mjolnir armor's thrusters firing in short bursts to propel him out of harm's way. The Arbiter's blade sliced through empty air, missing its mark by a hair's breadth.\n\nThe Spartan switched his assault rifle to single-shot mode, aiming carefully before firing a precision round. The shot found its mark, piercing the Sangheili's shields and causing him to stumble.\n\nHe deactivated his active camouflage, his form reappearing in full view. The Arbiter's energy sword ignited with renewed intensity, the blade crackling with barely contained energy.\n\nThe two warriors circled each other, their weapons held at the ready. The fate of Jenova, and perhaps the entire universe, hung in the balance as the Arbiter and the Master Chief prepared to clash once more." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "Vates, still weakened but conscious, watched the clash between the Arbiter and Master Chief with a growing sense of dread. His flamboyant demeanor was replaced by a grim determination as he realized the dire consequences of this unexpected confrontation.\n\n\"No... I cannot allow this,\" He rasped, his voice hoarse but filled with conviction. \"The Arbiter is a noble warrior, but he is mistaken. Master Chief is my friend, my ally, and I will not let him fall to such underhanded tactics.\"\n\nDrawing upon a wellspring of power he had never tapped into before, Vates pushed himself to his feet. His Soul-Seeing Eye blazed with a fierce azure light as he channeled his mana into a spell of unprecedented complexity and power.\n\n\"Witness the true strength of a Starweaver,\" He declared, his voice ringing out with newfound authority. \"Behold, the Zenith Nova!\"\n\nA blinding flash of light erupted from Vates, engulfing the entire arena. When the light faded, a colossal, star-like construct hovered above him, pulsating with raw magical energy. It was a manifestation of Vates' Mana Zenith technique, a theoretical spell that amplified his mana output to unimaginable levels.\n\nThe Zenith Nova unleashed a torrent of pure, unrefined magic that washed over the Arbiter, bypassing his shields and overwhelming his defenses. The Sangheili warrior, caught off guard by this unexpected assault, was instantly vaporized, leaving no trace of his existence.\n_ _\n\nThe shockwave from the Zenith Nova's attack reverberated throughout the void, shattering the illusionary battlefield and returning everyone to the physical arena. Vates, exhausted but triumphant, stood tall, his Soul-Seeing Eye slowly dimming as the Zenith Nova dissipated into motes of sparkling light.\n\nThe crowd, stunned into silence by this incredible display of power, watched in awe as Vates approached the unconscious Master Chief. He knelt beside his friend, a gentle smile playing on his lips.\n\n\"Rest easy, my friend,\" He whispered. \"I have avenged you.\"" }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "Jenova's eyes snapped open, blazing with fury. He had been betrayed, his friend and ally sacrificed by the very one he had trusted. With a roar of rage, he unleashed his most powerful spell, Cleave and Dismantle, a devastating attack that ripped through Vates' defenses and cleaved him in half. The Starweaver's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his blood staining the arena floor. Jenova stood over him, his chest heaving with rage and sorrow. He had lost his friend, but he had avenged him." }, { "author": " STARWEAVER VATES ", "message": "The searing agony of Jenova's Cleave and Dismantle spell ripped through Vates, his body succumbing to the devastating blow. As his life ebbed away, time seemed to fracture, and a torrent of memories flooded his mind.\n\nHe saw himself as a young boy, alone and ostracized, his unusual eye marking him as an outcast. The pain of loneliness and the yearning for acceptance washed over him. Then came the memories of his discovery of magic, the wonder and excitement of wielding the arcane arts, and the first spark of his audacious dream to become the strongest sorcerer in history.\n\nHe relived his time at the academy, the triumphs and setbacks, the friendships forged and the rivalries ignited. Faces flashed before his eyes: Lyra, his enigmatic confidante; Seraphina, the powerful Archon who had offered him protection; and Master Chief, the unlikely ally from a distant world.\n\nHe remembered the thrill of mastering complex spells, the exhilaration of pushing the boundaries of his abilities, and the unwavering belief in his own potential. But amidst the triumphs, there were also the doubts, the fears, and the moments of vulnerability that he kept hidden beneath his flamboyant facade.\n\nAs the darkness closed in, Vates felt a profound sense of regret. He had chased his dreams with reckless abandon, often at the expense of those he cared about. He had been so consumed by his ambition that he had failed to appreciate the true value of connection and companionship.\n\nIn his final moments, Vates reached out with his soul, a silent plea for forgiveness and a yearning for one last glimpse of the beauty he had sought to create. And then, as his consciousness faded, he saw a field of stars, shimmering in the vast expanse of the cosmos. It was a vision of his dreams fulfilled, a testament to the enduring power of his passion and his unwavering belief in the magic that had shaped his life." } ]	343.5	6,767
549.090909	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`Archivum Academiae Astra Cantum` — the Grand Archive of the Academy — is perhaps the greatest repository for magical information currently in existence. It consists of a number of subsects each tended by a special group of faculty staff-members known as Archivists, Each of whom prudently tend to and protect the contents of the Archive.\n\nThe Archive is an extensive facility with multiple subsectors. The building exhibits complex enchantments for protection, preservation, and security throughout. Nearly any book on the history or function of magic can be found here, kept safe within the Archive.\n\nAstra cantum quest astra cantum quest" }, { "author": "Nano", "message": "``\". . .Mmhm. Out already, huh?\"``\n\nSeated with her knee's clumped together beneath the benches of the illustrious Astra Cantum academy campus was an attending female student of three years, not doing what would one call school friendly activity. The fading crackle of the joint between her pink-colored fingertips, the otherwise potent stench of Marijuana concealed by an even stronger oceanic scent, the wilting smoke surrounding her, and her coffee eyes, now seas of red, staring lastingly at the deceased blunt. It turns out she hadn't bought enough for today's particular demand, and that left her slightly but not extraordinarily disappointed. \n\nNano sighed mildly, twisting the dead joint in her right hand around as it gradually morphed into a liquidized substance— Water, to be exact, of which she then vanished by closing her hands into a grasp. She pulled both her arms back and stretched them out, realizing she probably could've and would've picked a better spot to secretly smoke hadn't she needed a quickie badly, one that preferably wasn't as tight. This was a frequent habit of hers, obviously, which meant that she knew better spots than this around here. Anyway, it was a pretty nice day out, right? Could go for a walk, maybe, exercise her limbs, buy some extra bud. She planted her arms against the concrete floor, pushing her leggings out further.\n\n_ _\nIt was one of those Rare Days where she actually had nothing to do whatsoever. No clan stuff, no assemblies or training. Just a plain old school day and winding down afterwards, perhaps a little too much. To be honest, it was weird, because for about the last fifteen or so years of her life, her daily endeavors were marked by preoccupation and unrelenting responsibility, not that she ever complained about the workload. Freedom was not an affordable expense for the youngest leader of the Yuen Clan in it's history, was it? Of course, there was still time to do This, but it was just about the usual exception aside from, well, that other pleasure. Sneaking around like this wasn't ideal, but what could she do? Rules are sacred, but she needed function somehow. Incidentally, even when she wasn't overtly busy, she found ways to be so anyhow. Just felt right.\n\n``BEEP.``\n\n``Oh-ho?`` A curious look emerged across Nano's face as she reached into her black academy pocket square, unbuttoning and pulling out a blue-cased iPhone 37. She scrolled through her apps, finding iMessage. It was an SOS Notification from. . . Luca. An archive-keeper, right? An apprentice. He was asking for help about a 'very delicate matter' with a nice incentive. She actually already had an admission pass, though. Luca's messages were a different color so as to indicate that he was using an Adler Energy cell. To be clear, she actually wanted to buy one herself because its cheaper and looks better— but Jenova Keep bugging her about it, so she bought the more socially acceptable one. Brat.\n\n_ _\nIn any case, Nano briefly exited and scrolled to her notes app. She double-checked to confirm that her schedule was Truly Clear, because again, it was and has been a rarity. Then, she looked up and thought about it things for a quickly-passing moment. Talking about occupying herself when she had nothing to do, this seemed like an awfully convenient chance to do exactly that. Helping others who were in need wasn't much of a debate in her mind, regardless of an offered reward— it was in her nature and apart of her core values beyond the simple fact that improving the days of others felt good. Her only contemplation concerned a physical issue that commonly plagued her. \n\nNano looked back down at her cell, tapping on the Camera app and hitting the reverse option in order to look at herself, specifically her irises. ``Way too red.`` She really had to learn that eye-color spell at some point, huh? For now, though, she ran her fingers through her presently long brown hair, until discovering a pair of black square shades on the very top of her scalp She lightly pushed them downwards so as to cover her eyes, and that seemed to work it out. Just hope Nova doesn't come by and pull them off again. That almost got ugly.\n\nNano pocketed her phone, and then slowly stood herself up, stretching out a little bit more. Seems like a good day for some errands, doesn't it? Should be fun. She hadn't to Luca in a while— not much at all, actually, and maybe Kiyo would also stop by. If he asked about the sunglasses, she had an excuse ready that he probably wouldn't believe. \n\n``Some walking later. . .``\n\nThe unlocked door of the academy archive could be heard slowly creaking open, followed by an obligatory pair of knocks against the building wall from the young woman who entered. ``\"Heyy. Luca, you in here? I saw the text you sent out, decided to drop by.\"`` An informal, cooled and friendly tone and greeting uttered from Nano, popping her glasses-covered head in from the outside, adjusting them so as to make sure they were on properly. Naturally, she'd taken the liberty of surrounding herself in that same oceanic, pleasant beach-like aroma that was distinct with her arrival, and generally speaking, she didn't seem impaired." }, { "author": "Kiyo R.", "message": "An average day at best, with one impaired student lackadaisically journeying her way towards the student library, and an anxious staff member fidgeting in response to his clumsy loss of books, none of those adjectives describe a rather specific, hardworking academy student using his valuable time routinely at the gym, as per usual right? It was indeed a decent, crisp day with a soft breeze, definitely fitting for a jog or sizable run, but Kiyo wasn't really all for that today. He also wasn't for his train of crucial thought regarding the harsh pressure of weights being lifted suddenly snapping due to his workout playlist being abruptly paused following the actions of a new text. It better not be Nano again, that's for sure. The countless times he'd lay flat against the bench, incredibly deep in focus, with a hefty bar being lifted above him carrying tons of pure weight, before he'd nearly get his head completely crushed by said weights due to a sudden text regarding a request to smoke, or something much more blunt in nature delivered in text form was frankly a nuisance. Kiyo would quietly pause, his music remaining entirely silent as he settled the weights onto the metal rack, sitting upwards on the bench as he dug into his shorts pocket, and proceed in opening his messages.\n\nAh, well that was certainly not to be expected.\n\nRubbing his drenched forehead with his own tank-top as he continued to read the text, he found himself in a place of small conflict. No way Nano cared enough about some pitiful staff member and his books to be part of this, and no way he'd care either... But the intense bench pressing Was Getting rather distasteful for today, as he'd been continuously lifting for the last four hours, and he had no outstanding assignments to be completed and such, so... What better way did he have to spend his time? It's not like there'd be familiar faces around, Nano likely enjoying a blunt, and Nova definitely was training in some form to become stronger, similar to Kiyo. What did books really have to do with physical strength? It was also a decent path for Kiyo himself to appear more considerate, considering his blunt personality as of late...\n\nHe'd shove his phone back within his pocket and wipe down the gym equipment he just finished utilizing, before walking out and allowing the gym doors to shut behind him. Entering the library, his appearance contrasted his rather sweaty one when located in the gym, as in he appeared more so presentable. He definitely showered, with his dark hair down and semi-wet, and instead of damp, light clothes, he adorned casual clothing like a black sweater and grey sweatpants with slides as shoes. `\"Hey, heard you were missing so—\"`\n\nYou got to be fucking kidding me. Why the fuck is she here?\n\n`\"... Missing some books.\"`" }, { "author": "Luca, Archivist-Apprentice", "message": "Seated on a cushioned chair at the center of the Archive's lobby, Luca remained seated, leaning strongly forward, his hands tented as he stared with an intensely furrowed brow toward the door. The moment it opened, he did not rise, but merely flinched, his eyes closing tight as he gave a deep breath out.\n\n\"Ah...\"\n\"Y..Yuen, Right...?\"\n\"G-good evening...\"\n\nLuca adjusted his glasses, lifting slightly from his inclined sitting position. The implicit anguish on his face did not depart as he attempted to put on a more kindly, soft disposition—one befitting a librarian. Despite how infrequently he saw her, Hanano's face was one just familiar enough that he could place it against a name. He would give her the courtesy of a proper greeting... Or, at the very least, attempt to. The stress that weighed on his shoulders was impossible to overlook. \n\nHe took a deep, but quick breath.\n\"Listen, this is a little bit of a sensitive matter, so—\"\n\nKiyo's entry eluded any initial reaction from Luca, as he simply stared somewhat blank-eyed toward the man. The latter half of Kiyo's sentence, though stalled, cut to the heart of the matter.\n\n\"Uh—!** Please... Step in, first...\n\nHe pressed his forehead pressed against his palm.\n\n\"I'll be straight with you. I made a terrible mistake. I need—Hm—I-I'd appreciate if you kept this... Discreet.\"\n\"It could...\"\n\n...He paused, rubbing the side of his head. He sat upright as he faced the two, a more confessing mood surfacing emerging from his countenance.\n\n\"It could cost me my position.\"\n\"Let's... Just sit together first, all-right?\"\n\nHe motioned with a slight sigh toward the other chairs at the center of the lobby." }, { "author": "Nano", "message": "Nano began to approach the seated Luca, a little surprised to discover that he knew her by surname, but then turned her head back to the instantly recognizable voice of her somewhat one-sided friend, Kiyo, noting the sudden pause between his words in reaction to seeing her. Freshly showered, probably just came back from a grueling workout regiment as he normally does in the academy gym. An errand like this didn't particularly seem up his alley, buuut maybe, like her, he had nothing better to do, excluding the inclination to help others. Being a good samaritan isn't really his shtick or in his nature from what she knew about the real him, unless he just wanted the reward. Anyway, it's all good; she couldn't think of many people better to lend a helping hand, regardless of intent or reasoning. Plus, she could mess with him while looking for the books. That was how they communicated— how She Communicated. Sometimes, she did it because she wanted him to be more like himself instead of what he pretends to be. Other times, it was to brighten his day without his bestie present. Always the subtle pessimist, Kiyo.\n\n``\"Ohh? Look who it is, Mr. Gym Rat himself. How was your workout? Break any records?\"`` Nano teased as she faced the entering Kiyo momentarily with a light grin, gently clapping her right palm against her left fist so as to signify a punch, otherwise a symbol of training. Not that what she said was incorrect regarding her friend, but it was nonetheless worded playfully. A world where friends can work together for a good cause, even if a small one, is a better one for all those involved. Everyone's happier one way or another.\n\n_ _\nThat being said, it was become more evident how important and delicate this was to the person in need. Nano turned back around with an off-guard look to the clearly stressed and highly anxious Luca based on his overall disposition— and while he did say he was desperate earlier via text, him specifically mentioning that this dilemma of his could cause him to lose his Job Raised an eyebrow of hers, one of shifting concern. Was it really that awful what he'd done?\n\n_ _\nPerhaps she shouldn't be too off task in that case, not that it was habitual for her to do so— it was the opposite, actually. There was more riding on this then previously stated, and she was here to offer her services. A little ribbing here and there of her friend was practically unavoidable as any other vice, but the priority was to do whatever Luca asked of them. It's not like she intended to abandon what was most important on behalf of someone else in the slightest regardless of who was nearby, nor could such ever be the case given her demanding personal responsibilities, but even still. It was unfair to have someone lose their income over a tiny hiccup, albeit that wasn't exactly how he described it. Couldn't be that bad, right?\n\n``\"Sure. I won't say a word, promise. Kiyo won't either. Let's sit down, figure things out.\"`` Nano nodded respectfully out of acknowledgement for Luca's troubled situation, lifting her right hand up and slowly rolling her finger across her pink lips, essentially making a casual 'mouth sealed' motion toward him, which she really did mean. She reapproached Luca, finding a seat within the number of chairs at the center of the lobby, pushing up her sunglasses slightly. She did hope that others would come by at some point seeing as how much was at stake for the young apprentice. The more, the better, but either way, she'd do her best to help, and she adamantly believed Kiyo would as well. She also wanted to suggest he take a breather given his current state, but felt that to be a little inconsiderate for now. If anyone knew how much worse stress made things, it was her. Speaking of which, and there was no need to mention this, but functioning while intoxicated was a non-issue for her at this point. Most people don't notice." }, { "author": "Deimos", "message": "The doors to the archive would open once more- this time revealing someone... Rather out of breath. He'd been practically across campus when he got the notification, but the prospect of getting a full-access pass for an entire Month Had urged him to move rather quickly. Well- that and the urgency of the message, of course. It had honestly taken quite a bit of restraint to not throw the door open when he arrived. Not that he probably could, anyway- they were rather heavy, after all. \n\nBut all the same, he had arrived. He took a moment to catch his breath, giving a weak wave to the others present as he did so. Seems they'd either been closer or... Cared less. Or were just Better Than him, which was equally likely- this was Astra Cantum, after all. Mobility through magic must be practically second nature for some of the people here. Stars, he couldn't wait to learn some of that...\n\nHe straightened up once he'd caught his breath somewhat. `\"I'm... Here to help.\"` He was still breathing a bit heavier than usual but- felt he should at least Say Something. Especially given there were two other students already here. People he didn't... Recognize, but felt like he should. Always an uncomfortable feeling, that one— one he'd have to ignore for now.\n\nThe archive needed help, and he was here to help. However he could." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Dear Roleplayers,\nI would like to make a formal request for a post in the Grand Archive of the Academy.\nIf you would also, please look at the attached file to this message.\nThanks & With High Hopes,\nExousian" }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "Alexis Ubersich was the kind of person that most people on campus were aware of but very few people actually knew much about, she had spent almost her entire life in the Academy, \"Adopted\" By a professor, \"Awarded\" A scholarship at 15 and graduated top of her class at 19, giving an infamously short and unenthusiastic valedictory before finally being employed by the university as a \"Researcher\" Which was really just as excuse for the powers that be to keep her close, an idea she resented but nevertheless allowed as it granted her strategic access to the the campus.\n\nToday was a slow day, most of them were slow days really, unless someone was getting murdered which happened more often than the government liked to admit. So when came the call for help with a \"\"\"Delicate matter\"\"\" She decided that it was probably less boring than her \"Research\".\n\nAlexis entered the library holding a half eaten Pain Au Chocolat in 1 hand and her phone in the other, she was dressed down for the approaching summer, forgoing the trench coat she normally wore overtop her dress shirt, with a shorter skirt than typical.\nAlexis didn't bother with introducing herself, or even saying a single word, she approached the small group, stowed her phone into one of her pockets, and continued eating her Pain Au Chocolat.\n\nHer uncanny glowing eyes scanned across the group as she made note of who had shown up, the apprentice archivist of course, who was acting rather irrationally for someone who was meant to be a beacon of learning and protector of knowledge.\nOne student who had clearly been smoking earlier judging by the smell, a practice Alexis particularly despised, not for any moral reason but simple because it annoyed her, leaving her with an immediate poor impression.\nAnother who failed to leave any impactful impression.\nAnd a third who seemed to have just ran a marathon, leaving a less than stellar first impression but present company considered, could have been far worse." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "*```Inside Jenova's dorm...```\n\nLaying upon the bed to the back corner of the room was Jenova, sprawled out and in deep slumber. He had stayed up late into last night, rewatching all of book one of his favorite show, Avatar. Sunlight could be seen breaking through the room's slightly parted curtains, the sounds of distant birds chirping through his cracked window. Slowly, his eyelids parted as he sat up in bed, wearing a white t-shirt and olive green sweats; the top cover of his bed fell from his shoulders as he rapidly blinked his eyes. With a lengthy stretch, the white-haired man adjusted his pillow before planting his head straight back into it. He still had some time before he had to wake up after all... Probably. And so, he began to drift off to sleep once more.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJenova's silenced phone began to vibrate upon his bedside desk before eventually falling to the floor with a loud thud. A long sigh emitted from the young student as he maneuvered himself closer to the edge of his bed, reaching down with his right arm and grabbing his phone. Jenova leaned over the edge of the bed, turning the alarm on his phone off and noticing a message on his phone. He squinted his eyes at the bluelight screen, reading the message.\n\n_`...A one-month full-access admission slip to the Archive...? I don't really visit the Archive ever... But it is something to do. Maybe Kiyo will be there. Beats sleeping all day I suppose.`_\n\n_ _\nYet again, the young man would sit up in bed, setting his phone down as he let out a yawn and swung his feet over the side of his bed. Before anything though, he still had his morning ritual to do—proceeding to open his mini fridge and grab a soda straight out of bed. With a crack, the tab of the soda was pulled up, Jenova taking a swig of the can. Eventually, the mage would finish the beverage, entering his bathroom where he would shower and brush his teeth; he would also run a slight amount of gel through his snow-white hair, giving it a more messy appearance. He cared a great deal about how he presented himself to others, maneuvering his head in various directions whilst looking in the mirror.\n\nEventually, he would finally exit the bathroom, wearing a black t-shirt with loose fitting, grey pants—a relatively mundane look, but such was the day. It had been around 35 minutes since he had woken up, others likely having already arrived at the Archive. It would be in his best interest to get a move on and start heading over, buuuut... He hadn't had anything to eat yet. A slight detour couldn't hurt, right?\n\nJenova left his room, shutting the door behind him as he roamed the halls of the dormitory. His first stop before heading to the Archive would be the cafeteria of Astra Cantum. Amidst his walk, a number of faces would stop and greet the prodigal mage, Jenova being quite well known throughout the academy; his popularity was unsurprising though, the combination of his appearance and abilities making him an oddity amongst others. He wasn't against his popularity however—quite the opposite in fact. The young man relished the attention, albeit finding it slightly annoying at times.\n\n_ _\nAfter many interruptions, Jenova would reach the cafeteria, ordering a simple breakfast of fried eggs, buttered toast, and a water. Once he got his food, he would end up sitting alone, attempting to avoid any more distractions and focus on eating. Either way—many of the students in the cafeteria were just strangers to him, although some attempted to appear as friends. Finishing his food rather quickly, the young man checked his phone, realizing another thirty minutes had passed during his walk and meal. With how much time had passed, would he even be needed anymore? A number of people had probably already shown up after all. He stood from his table, deciding that it couldn't hurt to check.\n\nThrowing his empty plate amidst the other trays, he left the cafeteria, at last making his way to the Archive. Yet again would he be interrupted a few times on the way to the building, but despite all odds... The doors of the Archive would swing open again.\n\n`\"Heard some books were missing—am I late to the party?\"` Jenova entered the Archive, boisterously announcing his presence, `\"Oh—shoot... Still a library.\"` He lowered his voice after his initial statement, respecting the confines of the Archive. With a quick gaze, he would notice Hanano and Kiyo amidst the group, his assumption that the latter would be here proving true; Nano was certainly unexpected though. Silently, the young mage took a seat amongst the others, awaiting Luca to enlighten him on the situation." }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "Bros still asleep on a friday evening littearlly me" }, { "author": "Luca, Archivist-Apprentice", "message": "This sect of the Archive typically did not see so many guests simultaneously present. Luca would have seen this gathering of people for the purpose of his assistance as a sweeter thing in a more sober, stable state of mind. But, given the circumstances, it seemed hard for him to feel anything but an unhealthy wave of anxiety: his mind crawled with the bleak possibilities of what could and would come next.\n\nSigh\n\nBeyond the glint of the golden evening light glinting across the surface of his glasses, Luca's brown eyes stared slowly, attentively, as he occupied a more pragmatic state of mind.\n\n\"I'll make this explanation. . .Thorough, but quick.\"\n\nHe adjusted his glasses, and sat upright.\n\n\"Have any of you heard of the `Blue Moon`* System?\"\n\nThe Blue Moon Maxim. It was a concept that few students of Astra Cantum Understood, but most to all had glanced upon in passing at some point in time. It was referenced only in its relation to something else; its existence was isolated to how it effected some other principle, some other system, or some manner of life in the Academy, And was often made to seem like some absolute, abstruse concept that arched over the existence of the Academy as a whole, yet was never elaborated on beyond its shallowest depth. Omnipresent yet esoteric, information on it was practically everywhere yet still exceedingly scarce — though the determined and dedicated few whose interest it truly piqued may have dug deep enough to have already heard what was about to follow from Luca's mouth.\n_ _\n\n\"Most who know of it think of it as the 'passive' barrier that safeguards the Academy — the parallel to the 'active' barrier that is the `Crimson Moon`.\n\"But we Archivists have been taught to think of it differently.\"\n\nLuca withdrew a small, platinum talisman from his pocket, slanting it within his grasp—examining it. It depicted a particular symbol and emanated a potent, though subtle magical enchantment.\n\n\"It is... The magic system that regulates the __'rules'__ of the Academy.\"\n\"It dictates the control of mana upon Academy grounds. It brings order to anything that may bring it ruin, snuffing the deleterious and disentangling the chaotic...\"\n\"...And determines who may access certain facilities.\"\n\"The nexus of the enchantment—The heart of the Academy itself, Cor Loci—, the great analēmma, Lunae Retinaculum, the depths of Medeian civilization beneath the latter—\"\n\nHe held forward the talisman, presenting it to those standing before him. Engraved into it was a complex series of enchantments that interacted with this very system that he spoke of—it was a type of key that dictated a lesser set of rules derivative from the greater Maxim that bound the Academy.\n\n\"—And even this very Archive: all of these are locations, to some degree, controlled or restricted by the `Blue Moon`** System.\"\n\n As he manipulated the curio with his fingertips, the very atmosphere began to shift: the air tightened, quieting, as the mana in the realm of spirits about the gathered guests began to take on unique, selective properties. It became quickly clear that the entire world around them was under a spell, and not one that Luca had just cast — one that had long existed, and that he simply made observable.\n_ _\n\n\"...Ahm,\" He shook his head, dispelling the small tangent he had gone on. \"This all is just to explain to you the weight of the matter at hand.\"\n\"I... Have made the greatest error an Archivist can. I—...\" His gaze shifted away.\n\"I gave a series of books to a group of students. I—I was careless,\" Again, he delayed in disclosing his failure; the key piece of this explanation...\n\"At the time, I wasn't aware of how the information was stored. To—\"\n\n\"—no...\"\n\"It was my fault entirely. I made a decision off of clouded judgment.\"\n\"Amidst the series of books I loaned was a hidden copy of the Blue Moon Maxim. A sort of keystone—the model upon which the System functions. It is a blueprint that dictates all of its functions, inside and out.\"\n\"...Something nobody untrustworthy should Ever Have access to.\"\n\nNow Luca gathered his composure and his rationality, and, folding his hands together, lifted his head, the off-sheen of the light upon his glasses dissipating, revealing his determined gaze.\n\n\"I need you to return it to me. By Any means necessary.\"" }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "Jenova gave a series of nods throughout Luca's description of the Blue Moon System, mixed with occasional \"Mhm\"'s; it was clear the young man was paying very little attention to the archivist's description of the system, but such could've been expected of him. It wasn't like him to care too much about the finer details of things that didn't interest him. He at least understood that it was of great importance based on the archivist's distraught tone of voice. It almost felt as though he was stuck in a lecture, Jenova waiting with bated breath for Luca's spiel to end. Luca's usage of the strange trinket may have been what kept the mage awake at all, him taking _some_ interest in its complex magic.\n\nLuckily, Luca's speech came to an end before Jenova was able to drift off. His interest piqued once more, awaiting Luca to _finally_ get to the point; at least his dramatization of the situation was somewhat comedic to Jenova, Luca's various gestures and delays getting a light smirk out of the mage. With Luca's rather detailed explanation of the situation concluding, Jenova would be the first to speak on the matter despite his late arrival.\n\n`\"Sooooo... You want us to go on a scavenger hunt... With no clues? Lotta people visit the Archive—too many for us to narrow down without any sort of info. Surely you must have some memory of at least the appearance of who you loaned those books to? Although... I'd guess a lotta people come here taking out books, huh?\"`\n\n Jenova quickly backtracked on his own inquiry, realizing that Luca may not even remember the specific individual he unknowingly loaned the copy of the book to. \n\n`\"...Think taking a look at the records might help? Maybe jog your memory by looking at what books were loaned and narrowing it down based on that? Sounds kinda dumb, but who knows—maybe you can look at the last few people you loaned books to before the Blue Moon Maxim went missing.\"`" }, { "author": "Nano", "message": "As Nano heard approaching footsteps behind her, she titled her head backwards, slightly pushing her neck against the brim of the seat so as to direct her shade-guarded gaze at the newcomers behind her sunglasses. The first was a student who seemed like he rushed to get here, but still greeted everyone and stated that he was here to offer his support, naturally. Following up was Alexis— most people around the academy know who she is by name and reputation, though Yuen herself knew more then that. She was eating a snack and carrying her phone around, and she wasn't wearing a Cantum uniform, which was fine. She made no effort to introduce herself, probably because people know already know who she is. Her luminescent eyes were pretty. One person ran here, and the other was lauded for being a high status member of the academy. That's about as good and motivated as help as Luca could get on short notice, no? Good thing she used the ocean-scent trick.\n\n``\"Yo.\"`` Nano lifted her right arm up and gave a moderate wave to the both of them, but her brown irises refocused onto someone familiar: Jenova Was here, of all people. Similar to Kiyo, this initially did not seem at all like something he would be interested in, but then again, he does like to keep busy, kind of like herself, actually. When he was around, Kiyo bared even less of that doom and gloom that he attempted to keep at a minimum— his other half, if you will. Her grin subconsciously increased in slights upon seeing her other friend, providing him a different comment then the two strangers. ``\"Mmm? I didn't think you'd be into this kinda thing, Jenova. Slow day?\"`` She inquired, somewhat teasing but also genuinely interested. It was more or less the same deal for her, after all, but she was a little bit more aware of the seriousness of the situation, likely.\n\nThen, Luca began to go on his spiel no less anxious then he was before, which caught Nano's undivided attention as she rolled her head back up to face the Apprentice, flatly placing both arms atop her leggings. The Blue Moon System: a non-active barrier that guards the academy in tandem with the Crimson Moon System. Between access to some privileged information and taking her studying rather seriously, she knew a little more about it then the average student, albeit it was admittedly complex to understand. Luca did a good job of simplifying and confirming what she understood— whilst also going into the dynamic of what other purpose it served in regulating academy mana, accompanied by various other uniquely titled concepts. She did well to observe the platinum-colored, enchanted talisman, leaning in slightly, an expression of amazement forming on her face. To see something like that so up close was remarkable, wasn't it? She could feel the subtle, yet powerful magic beaming off its archaic surface. She wanted to make a comment, but opposed interrupting him. Don't wanna lose focus.\n\nNano continued to listen intently aside from the occasional internal sigh at Jenova's series of dismissive 'mhms', noting the shifting atmosphere as highlighted by Luca, somewhat mesmerized by the concept. The apprentice then concluded that the ultimate issue was that he accidentally loaned the Blue Moon Maxim, the keystone and blueprinted copy, to some students within a number of books he loaned off. This underlined what was at stake, especially if the students so happened to realize what they had, and even worse, use it for unsavory purposes. The anxiety that consumed his expression shifted into a look of determination. He needed it back, by 'any means necessary'. The memo was clear." }, { "author": "Deimos", "message": "Deimos' attention had immediately sharpened when Luca began speaking again. The Blue Moon System. One he'd heard about- and tried to read about... But couldn't seem to get his hands on anything that actually explained it. Seems he must've just not been looking in the right place. Accidentally loaning out a copy of the Maxim seemed- bad. His skin crawled slightly at the thought of someone other than a student getting their hands on it. Hell, even the idea of Some Students having access to it was awful on its own. But... Therein came a dilemma, for him.\n\nThis was clearly an issue that should be handled by people with- far more authority than just the first few students to reach the archive. Professors, public safety staff... People who were Trained In doing the type of investigating and recovery that they were surely about to attempt. This was, after all, a matter of campus safety- a pretty Big Matter of campus safety, really. This wasn't just finding someone's lost familiar, or helping someone with a difficult assignment. This was an Actual factual Copy of the Blue Moon Maxim.\n\nThough- maybe this was... An opportunity. If they Did Call public safety, this issue would surely be resolved in the next few days or weeks. It might lose Luca their position but- it'd keep things under control. If they... Didn't, however- if they were the ones to find and recover it? Maybe nobody would have to know that they had even seen it. It was a Hidden Copy of the Maxim, after all. Which meant maybe, once it was returned, he might be able to read over it himself. Not check it out, just... Read over it. That idea was certainly a bit more compelling. Besides, if they got campus security on this, who knows where the Maxim copy would end up afterwards- he might never even get the chance to see the cover.\n\nSince his fellow students had already asked for leads, he stayed quiet, waiting for Luca's response. This had just gotten far more interesting." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "You will be banished" }, { "author": "Luca, Archivist-Apprentice", "message": "Luca's fingers clung to the lip of the platinum talisman in his hand as he turned it over, staring at its front-face, decorated with its small jewel. The enchantment breathed lightly aglow as the visitors spoke to him and between one-another, his eyes focused upon the object in his hand and his ears distant from the two—his mind, in most parts, present elsewhere. Though distracted as he seemed, the earlier, strong sense of anxiety that had beset the apprentice was replaced with something much more subtle, controlled; he was by no means eased, but now appeared much more resolved. Something else occupied his focus.\n\n\"...Yes, that's right.\"\n\nJenova's question still had to be addressed, nonetheless. And despite Nano's siding with him, he sounded more as though he agreed with the former, himself.\n\n\"The matter of Whose Hands the book is in may be the most difficult matter of this all.\" \n\nMagic formed as small runic lights that faded in at the manipulation of the enchantment ingrained within the talisman that the Archivist wielded. Projected text in the form of cryptic glyphs took shape from that magic, hovering before Luca's eyes, as he scanned across their surface. The lines were written in a script that only the holder of the talisman could interpret, but their length, order, and the context in which they were summoned seemed to suggest they were a part of a transcript. A log of visitors to and borrowers from the Archive, perhaps?\n_ _\n\n\"This is a matter that I truly would rather handle myself, but my hands are tied.\"\n`\"...Cause if it's her, then an Édouard can't...\"` —he murmured, eyes set dispiritedly upon a single set of glyphs. He closed his eyes briefly, and paused.\n\n\"Roza Sapieha.\"\n\"Almante Novák.\"\n\"Chloe Fähnrich.\"\n\"Leoni Eisenstadt.\"\n\"...And Lucy Von Eisenhart.\"\n\nLuca put some stress on the surname of the last individual, staring up at an angle toward the guests, as though they would innately recognize it. And indeed, most individuals deeply involved with the aristocratic sphere of Astra Cantum Would probably be familiar with the name — Very Familiar, depending on their standing — but as it turned out, none of the people present exactly fit that bill. The Eisenhart family was a highly-reputed dynasty, but in this room, they were effectively only relevant to the one Édouard seated before them: Luca himself.\n_ _\n\n\"Four hours ago, these five individuals — a freshman, three sophomores, and a senior — arrived in a group.\"\n\"I gave them unrestricted access to a small sector of the Archive.\"\n\"They asked for some privacy, so I obliged...\" He said, and quieter, followed, `\"...Foolishly,\"` In another murmur.\n\"When I checked in on them an hour later, they had left. Five books went missing with them.\"\n\"Preferably, I would like all of them retrieved, since gauging which one of them is the true copy of the Maxim Poses a high challenge, considering you do not have an Insignia,\" He remarked, still clasping that talisman—that Insignia—he spoke of.\n\"I am certain none of the five books have left Academy grounds, but what I am uncertain of is of which book is with whom.\"\n\n\"Sapieha is a regular of the library. She is a mostly trustworthy person, despite her ill record of missing return-dates. I would offer her as a strong lead, but...\"\n\"...I haven't been able to get through to her. I'm... Uncertain what that means. She is, ahm... For lack of a better word, a... Strange person.\"\n\"She would most likely offer you something useful, I'm sure—but I highly doubt she holds the copy herself. I disbelieve she even knew what the ordeal was all about...\"\n\nWhile Luca spoke, he withdrew his phone, tapping through its menus and writing something down as he continued running down the line of individuals.\n_ _\n\n\"Fähnrich is probably better-informed. She is a logical woman, but may give you a hard time, especially if She Was the one who planned all this. I am not well-acquainted with her, but I know she has close ties with Eisenstadt and Sapieha, and she is protective of both. If you can, try to avoid an accusatory tone with her.\"\n\"Eisenstadt... Is...\"\n\"...I'd only speak with her if you're good with words... And prepared for an argument. She is... Ornery. Militant, even.\"\n\"Lucy von Eisenhart is an unassuming person, calm and mostly reticent, but I would advise you to be very careful with the steps you take about her. I won't mince words—as an Eisenhart, any serious conflict you start with her could be potentially ruinous to your career as a sorcerer. Yours And Mine, if I am found to be affiliated at all with it. However... Considering the Maxim Is involved, Your Hands are not tied so much as mine are. The importance of that book alone is your leverage—do not forget that.\"\n\nFinally finishing what he was writing over the phone, a notification would ring on each of the present individuals' phones: information concerning the dormitory information and possible locations of each of the individuals he had just described.\n\n\"...Before you read that and get going, there's one last person...\"\n\"The senior, Almante Novák.\"\n\"I know virtually nothing about her, but apparently she has somewhat of a history at the Academy. What kind of history, I could not exactly tell you—but apparently, it's the type you want to keep secret.\"\n\"She's an independent sorcerer with barely any affiliations amongst the noble families of the Academy, so she has little to tell her by — and, little to lose.\"\n\"I would not make an accusation so early, but it's highly probable that she had a strong hand in this entire matter. Again, I don't know much about her, so you're on your own there...\"\n_ _\n\nWith explanations out of the way, they could mull over the text that Luca had just sent them by way of a private chatroom. Such were the details of where and when they could most likely find the five individuals attached within:\n\n- Sapieha Was most likely located at her dormitory hall, Résidence Caerellia, At this hour of the day. Her room number was attached.\n- Eisenstadt Was known to take extra lessons during the evenings before the week-end, and almost certainly could be found within the unoccupied Academy amphitheater, performing a... \"Trial\" Of some sort. A footnote was attached: `\"Please, avoid taking her up on her challenge.\"` It sounded like it was an assumed thing.\n- Fähnrich Was likely studying, painting, or performing some extracurricular activity, and though her location at this time was unknown, could likely be found amidst some of the unoccupied facilities in the student center.\n- Almante and Eisenhart's whereabouts were both unknown, completely. Eisenhart would be assumed to be at her family's second residency in Pōns Valois On a Friday evening, but since all of the books had been confirmed to be on Academy grounds, it was highly likely — if the latter was involved in carrying any of the five books — that she was still somewhere within the facilities of Astra Cantum. The former's was unknown due to lack of information: Luca was uncertain even of where her dormitory even was located, if she even Took Residency at an Academy dorm.\n\nThey could converse or simply leave as they pleased, discovering what comes next once they depart from the Archive." }, { "author": "Hanano", "message": "Nano lifted her right hand off her chin, sitting slightly more upright in the wooden seat, adjusting her somewhat lax posture and subtly giving her left arm a two-three second scratch. She continued to consciously listen and take in all of what Luca had to say deriving from those runic lights and the talisman's log, proving herself right in the fact that there was indeed a reason he hadn't yet mentioned the prime suspects in relation to the Maxim's theft— not that such a thing gave her any joy or satisfaction in being correct. On the contrary, the nature of their involvement and how their various personality quirks and/or status could complicate matters was a little pressing. From how he described things, this wouldn't be some open and shut retrieval job.\n\nNormally, Nano had no sort of issue with troubled customers of social life, and in fact was often lauded by the higher-ups for her overall ability to tolerate those less then well-mannered from a dispositional standpoint— again, not something to derive ego from, but factual nonetheless. However, within this specific context, she was actively looking for a Thief (multiple, in all probability), or in other words, tasked with Accusing And confirming that someone(s) stole something they shouldn't have, not to mention that said theft concerns an extremely high priority artifact vital to the academy itself. Trying to chat someone up innocently whilst wielding the underlying notion that she has to get them to admit wrongdoing or hand over something stolen isn't as straightforward as approaching a regular conversation. Sure, all the pressure was on poor Luca, but more variables were at play here then what she was accustomed too. This wasn't Just About establishing good relations; there was a decisive, possibly maliciously-circled goal. She always made a point to sympathize with the bad deeds with others in most instances, but was this. . . Justifiable? Maybe they just took it by accident? Or, well, maybe not. . .\n\n_ _\nNano tapped her pink-nailed fingers against her like-colored lips in thought just beneath her shades, looking to the floor while Luca described each of the five potential, possibly conspiring culprits and their presented hurdles. Sapieha was someone who could be trusted, but she was on the stranger side and deemed unlikely to have the copy by the apprentice. Fähnrich is pragmatic, reasonably capable of planning such a heist, but naturally prone to make things difficult for an accuser. Eisenstadt is especially intense, aggressive and can feasibly tear apart anyone who doesn't speak carefully. Eisenhart seems a pleasant alternative compared to the other three, but poses general risk in her namesake and attained status as a member of that particular bloodline. Lastly, Novák, the senior, has an enigmatic history and character, yet high probability of involvement and as phrased, \"Little to lose\" In this affair to the extent that an early accusation would be unwise. \n\n``\"I get it. None of them are easy to approach anyway since we'll be playing the accusers, huh. All bound to be guarded and to cover for each other. . .\"`` Nano said, looking back up at Luca and sliding her fingers down to her chin. What was her preference? Well, each had their pros and cons, but it was hard to say. Perhaps she'd let everyone else state their pick before anything, seeing as this was a group effort. The unlikely oddball? A tough pragmatist? An aggressive militant? A reserved family heir? The mysterious senior? Some better on paper then others, and yet, problems all the same. \n\n``\"How about you? Know who you're gonna talk to, or did you zone out again?\"`` Nano remarked, tilting her head at her white-haired friend, Jenova— who may or may not have payed attention— unpocketing her cellphone as she inquired about his preference, examining the communicated details by Luca. Once again, her comment was not mean-spirited. This was merely how she spoke to him (mostly) exclusively." }, { "author": "Deimos", "message": "He tapped his finger on the side of his phone while he mulled over the text on his screen. So, multiple books had gone missing with this group of students. And he had- a one in five chance in guessing right, if luck was that they all had one book. Of course, it Wouldn't Work that way, because it never works that way. One of them was sure to have more than one book, or no books, or be guilty of some Other Crime that would set them off if they were accused. Like an inverse Occam's razor. Occam's shaving cream, really. Simple solutions never worked. All the same... One in five. Roughly.\n\nRoze was a library regular- and, given Luca knew more about them than he did, he trusted his judgement. She probably didn't have the book. Or any of the books, for that matter. But she supposedly had information... If they could Find Her, anyway. He wasn't the best at sleuthing so- for now, he mentally crossed her off.\n\nAlmante... Caught his attention, though. Someone else that wasn't very directly associated with noble families, here at the school. Not to say such a thing was That Uncommon but- it was still something he had in kind with her. And if she really was the sort of person Luca had described... He had a small idea, at the least. She supposedly had a past, and 'nothing to lose', as he put it. Which meant his idea was either great, dangerous, stupid, or all three. A sort of way to find her by way of search Volume, really. As for the problem of accusing her too early, well... If he didn't fuck up what he was trying to say, and didn't Actually Accuse her of anything- he felt he might be able to get something.\nThat was, if he was able to find her at all.\nFingers crossed.\n\n`\"I think I might have an idea on getting Almante's attention- if.. That's okay.\"`\nHe was confident in his idea but- less confident in his standing in this room. He didn't know any of these people personally, and he Doubted They knew him. He'd definitely get it if they didn't want to gamble an important lead on someone they didn't know and had never heard of." }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "Alexis spent a bit mulling over the details, she wished the archivist had come straight to her instead of getting students involved, a few Society operatives could would solve this case quite quickly, but there was no use getting hung up on her company.\nFive books had gone missing, five books and five students, that made them all guilty in her eyes, nevertheless only one of them was the book they were looking for.\nShe finished eating her pain au chocolat, and adressed the group.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"Novak or Eisenhart are likely the ringleaders, assuming they are all friends the other three likely know where they are, we should split up and tackle them then meet back up here when we are done, we can go after the remaining two together.\"\n```\nIt seemed she had self appointed authority within the group, but it was understandable, she was Technically Faculty and they were students.\nShe paced around for a second, considering the three options, Sapieha sounded like the easiest, anyone could handle her, the other two would likely be the most challenging, Eisenstadt sounded most likely to erupt into some physical confrontation.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"I will go after Eisenstadt, one of you can join me i dont care who, two should go after Fanrich, Sepieha should be easy enough for any of you to handle alone.\"\n```\nShe reached into her pocket and drew out a paper bag, inside, was a second pain au chocolat, as was typical of her, she didn't wait for a response and simply turned and started walking away leaving the building and standing just outside, eating her pain au chocolat, waiting for whoever decided to be her partner to join her." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "`\"...Rude,\"` Jenova mumbled under his breath while Luca spoke, eyeing Nano. Though, such banter was normal for him, his gaze returning to Luca.\n\nJenova sat up in his seat, seeming to pay more attention now that Luca was beginning to divulge what actually mattered to him. None of the names mentioned by the archivist rang any bells to him, leaning his head against his hand. At least the group wouldn't be going on a wild goose chase for the book. His hand moved to his chin, mulling over the details which Luca had provided the group with; five individuals in total, but only three of them had known locations. He leaned back in his chair, slightly lifting its front two legs off the floor as he rocked in it.\n\n`\"No actually—I've been paying pretty good attention throughout now,\"` Jenova rebutted Nano's slight against him, `\"I'm thinking I'll go chat with Sapieha; should prove simple enough, and as Alexis said,\"` Jenova eyed Alexis, `\"I can handle her on my own.\"` Despite not being formally introduced, Jenova had known Alexis' name through whispers down the grapevine; she was quite popular after all, much akin to himself. `\"How about you go look around for Fähnrich, Nano?\"` Jenova gave Nano a suggestion.\n\nJenova seemed relatively adamant about his decision to speak with Sapieha, despite his status throughout the academy perhaps becoming an obstacle for him; it isn't everyday one of the most highly regarded students of Astra Cantum visits your dorm to interrogate you. He was confident it wouldn't prove a _huge_ obstacle though; after all, he was _usually_ pretty good at getting along with others." }, { "author": "Hanano", "message": "``\"Fähnrich, huh?. . .\"`` Nano thought to herself upon the suggestion from her refocused white-haired friend, briefly looking up to the ceiling and slightly shaking her head back in forth so as to indicate ponderment, relaxing both hands onto her knees. It wasn't like she had any other options considering everyone else had already chosen, detailing their subsequent reasons long or short that she deemed trustworthy— which is what she was waiting for anyway— but she still took a second to think about her approach towards the one in question. So, the tough pragmatist it is, then?\n\n``\"Sure, sounds good to me. Nice idea, shouldn't have doubted you.\"`` She looked back toward Jenova, and then directly at Luca. He seems engaged, doesn't he? Perhaps her previous ribbing was too harsh, and connecting with others Was More-so his thing. As Nano brought up earlier, each and every option had their individual pros and cons, and although she did say none was particularly preferable over the other, that didn't mean the task at hand was insurmountable, albeit personal reluctance remained for her taste. Nonetheless, this is an especially important matter related to ensuring academy magical functionality isn't compromised, as well as keeping someone's job intact. Whatever grievances she had weren't valid excuses here. She had to do her part.\n\nSure, Fähnrich's a tough cookie, but all of them were bound to be regardless, right? Avoiding being accusatory wouldn't be entirely simple given the context the situation, albeit; yet Yuen can work and reason with cold logic and overprotectiveness given time, as she's regularly prepared and sometimes asked to do with most people assuming those traits or not. It's not unlike any matter she's handled before on behalf of her family members or even Cantum faculty excluding the whole thievery aspect. Honestly, she might've been overreacting to that part, though. Shouldn't be too detrimental.\n\n_ _\nNano lowly sighed and began to stand herself up, moving to push the wooden chair slightly out of instinct— only to realize there was no desk, causing her to shrug her shoulders, smirking at her own mistake. School habits. She then looked at the rest of the group and gave a lax, yet optimistic 'thumbs up' sign to them, her sunglasses drooping slightly. ``\"I'm sure we can get it back. No worries here.\"`` From the text details she observed earlier, she reiterated in her mind that Fähnrich would have to be searched for among qualifying facilities relative to her described hobbies within the message." }, { "author": "Luca, Archivist-Apprentice", "message": "Observing as the visitors to the Archive began to leave one-by-one, Luca leaned forward again and folded his hands, his eyes closing. He took a deep breath out shortly after waving Hanano good-bye, and could only hope that the three wouldn't run into any major hitches, possibilities silently buzzing and nipping at the back of his mind, as his hand returned to his forehead. In silence, the mind begins to wander...\n\n\"...Oh...\"\n\nLuca's eyes suddenly flashed open, and his head flicked back to meet Deimos' own gaze, as though surprised to see him still here. That was right — he had mentioned a plan of some type, right? Truth-be-told, the apprentice had been caught in the flow of the other visitors' conversation and departures from the Archive, and Deimos' own silent nature had stolen away some of the attention that would have been granted to an otherwise attention-grabbing statement. He had, in fact, suggested a step straight most likely at the core of this all: Almante. \n\n`If it were so easy to get to Almante,` He thought to himself, his own pessimism beginning to get to him, `I would have sought her out myself...`\n`...Then again, if Eisenhart is cooperating with her...`\n\n\"A—Ah. Apologies.\"\n\"You said you had an idea?\"\n\nWell, he had ought to hear him out, at least. Desperate circumstances do indeed call for dramatic pivots. Though the rest had already left — perhaps leaving them with less working parts to pull through with his plan — Luca himself could supplement it, were it promising enough. . .\n\n\"Finding Almante directly won't be easy, but...\"\n\"...I'm listening.\"" } ]	430	12,080
249.166667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "The Cilnia & Montagne Amphitheater — more universally known as the Caeli Noctis Amphitheatre, or simply the Noctis Amphitheater — is one of the two major amphitheaters currently owned by Astra Cantum, and the only in existence within Caeli Noctis. It is a significantly downscaled version of the Patera Caeli Still present at the original headquarters of Astra Cantum, Its decrease in size largely due to the work behind its replication being expedited to occur in just under a year. Still by no means a humble display of architecture, the Noctis Ampitheater Is a 100m-wide marvel of arcane construction, three stories tall, possessing integrated enchantment to support weather control.\n\nSeeing as the Noctis Ampitheater Lacks many of the more desirous features of the Patera Caeli, Plans have been made to slowly deconstruct it and reconstruct a more faithful recreation of the classic Astra Cantum Viewing arena over the course of the next two years. As such, the Noctis Ampitheater, While still used for some specific formal occasions, is now mostly used by Academy students for private expositions and for proctored faux-combat.\n\nStepping toward the open central gate of the Noctis Ampitheater, The subtle sensation of rumbling beneath one's feet that could be felt within about a half-kilometer radius of the viewing-arena could be felt growing subtly more and more intense, as though growing closer to the origin of the reverberant noise. The hum of magic can be heard in the form of a low, whirling screech, mana aflicker before Alexis' eyes in various, effervescent, and violent spectra — the clear evidences of combative magicks at play. \n\nShe could hear pure mana coalescing in the distance — a simple, but evidently powerful spell — crashing with an irritating whine as it clashed against resistive energy — a similarly simple, but powerful barrier. To an exceedingly skilled practitioner of magic like herself, merely the flow of mana around her and the distant sound of spells being cast her told the story of the battle happening beyond her: the magician on the offensive had taken flight, projecting a great mass of mana into a singular point, then diffused it into three beams that descended upon their opponent; the magician on the defensive gathered their mana to project a deflective barrier, splitting the oncoming beams and dispersing their energy into the ground surrounding them, releasing a loud rumble into the earth below. The magician on the offensive shifts in the air, seeking a new angle, and strikes again, and the cycle repeats itself once more. . ." }, { "author": "Leoni Eisenstadt", "message": "```\n\"Surprising...!\"\n\"You can manage it too, huh?!\"\n\"——Messing with the flow behind my spells... Competing for control over them!\"```\n\nOne hand upon the form of a crystalline orb and the other firmly grasping her long-brimmed hat — fluttering chaotically amidst the gales of wind she had stirred with the shockwaves of her own attack — the sorceress stared down upon her opponent, her eyes flaming with her crimson-red mana. She remained suspended mid-air, a visible flux of pale, swirling mana engulfing her body and maintaining her aloft over ten meters in the sky above the man below, stationary in-flight toward the center of the Amphitheater." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Leoni Eisenstadt.\n\nShe was the first person that Alexis would lay eyes on upon after passing through the open gates of the Amphitheater. It was relatively hard to miss someone with such an impressive magical presence, especially when they were in flight. Beneath her was a black-haired man of a much more modest, but adamant magical presence, a barrier of mana, so stable it seemed more like it was made of stone than magic, slowly dissipating at his fingertips.\n\nFurther to her right, two men remained seated at the foremost benches of the Ampitheater — one very aged and the other somewhat young — both closely overseeing the fight, both with some form of observational magics currently in use. The older of the two, a white-haired man, was additionally maintaining control over a much more subtle, but extraordinarily refined spell that encompassed both Leoni and the man whom she had challenged: it appeared to be some sort of potent flow-control, seemingly in use to regulate the boundaries of their combat trial." }, { "author": "Han", "message": "```\n\"It's a little trick I picked up from your teacher, actually,\" he cocked his head with a small grin.```\n\nHan Chen — the challenged party. He was a transfer student with a significant amount of grit and a drive for improvement, having taken this combat-trial as a major opportunity to evolve a certain defensive spell he was working on. Average-statured, Han was a black-haired man with cheery brown eyes, a glittering, green-and-orange-hued mana flickering from the surface of his hand, which he used to support the fading barrier ahead of himself. A wide, but superficial gash cut across the left half of his face, very recently inflicted. She had struck him once, but only just barely, a soft trickle of blood flowing from where the wound slightly cut past his skin and into his flesh." }, { "author": "Leoni Eisenstadt", "message": "```\n\"Oh, really?\" \n\"Un-fortunately!\" —she yelled, outstretching her arm with her crystal orb toward him. Explosive fluctuations of mana began to swell within the vessel.\n\"I've learned that trick, too. And how to defeat it!\"```\n\nLeoni's grin grew, her sharp canines revealed from beyond her lips. The chaotic detonations of mana within her orb slowly grew more orderly, as though she was using the vessel as a means to more fluently control her own output. From a superficial observation, it may have seemed like the magician's equivalent of using training wheels. A more thorough examination, however, would reveal that Leoni's control over her own mana-flow was great enough to call her an adept — she was merely using the orb in addition to existing fundamentals.\n_ _\n\nAll-the-more, the flow over the offensive spell she was wielding was great enough that, before it had even been set forth beyond the crystal vessel she suspended it within, it had shifted tinctures and quality from combustive crimson waves to that of a smooth, pale-white, bursting forth into existence with laminar flow: a single stream of snowy-white mana. It hammered down on yet another barrier that Han manifested in a fraction-of-a-second, splitting into multiple beams upon impact that, then, again, gravitated back inward towards their initial target, now from multiple angles." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Shockwaves ripple through the air the moment that the attack makes contact with Han's defense, and the ground again rumbled. Their battle was still in-progress, so she would have to either see it through, interrupt it, or search for information adjacent to Leoni — the two men in observation of their duel an apparent lead to follow for the time being." } ]	193.5	1,495
72.214286	2024-04-07	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "It was a typical cold spring morning,, but somehow in Balfour, it was always just a little bit colder, leaves danced down the dreary grey street, the air was still and musty, but unusually, it was not silent.\nTwo men strolled idly down the street kicking cans, sipping from disposable coffee cups, distinctly lacking in the caution that visitors to the city usually exercised, one man was Human, the other was Medei." }, { "author": "052", "message": "```\n\"That shit'll kill you y'know?\"\n``` The Human remarked, he was older, with slicked black hair, a pair of glowing golden eyes and a distinctive burn scar that stretched down from his lower lip and into the neckline of his shirt." }, { "author": "053", "message": "```\n\"I don't know if you noticed but, I don't got no lungs like you.\"\n``` The Medei remarked, giving his partner a jab with his elbow. He was a skeleton, and clenched between his teeth was a lit cigarette that was quickly reaching the end of its life.\n```\n\"How much longer this gonna take, don't like this city\"\n```\nHe flicked the remains of the cigarette down the street, it blew in the wind for a moment, then stopped dead in its tracks." }, { "author": "052", "message": "`CLICK` He held a golden stopwatch, everything in the city had frozen in place, except for the two men.\n```\n \"It should only take a few minutes\" \n````TICK TOCK TICK TOCK`\nHis heel snuffed out the cigarette, it had stopped only a few centimetres away from their target." }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "In the street lay bodies, 12 dead human bodies in various states of dismemberment, some had been sliced in half, others stabbed straight through with puncture holes, one was even strung from a lamp post with its intestines hanging out.\nEach of them wore a mismatch of protective gear, military, police, private militia, etc. And they each carried various firearms, all older models, assault rifles, shotguns, machine guns.\nThe strange thing about them is that each of the bodies was shrivelled, skin and muscle wrapped tightly as if their appearances had been reconstructed by a palaeontologist." }, { "author": "053", "message": "```\n\"Ain't that pretty\"\n``` He reached into his pocket and drew a cigarette box, taking a fresh one at placing it between his teeth, he snapped his fingers and a spark flew, lighting it." }, { "author": "052", "message": "```\n\"Seems our friends are at war with one another.\"\n``` He reached inside his coat and drew a pair of leather gloves, slipping them on before kneeling to inspect the bodies." }, { "author": "053", "message": "```\n\"Whos to say they wasn't just bein' opportunistic, scavenging, coulda been a temporal beast killed em.\" \n```He let out a puff of smoke that had an unusual blue colour, and seemed as if it was filled with little bits of glitter." }, { "author": "052", "message": "```\n\"Look at the cuts, clean, perfect, like it was done by a laser, it's telltale.\"\n``` He stood up, scratching his jaw, making sure not to brush the scar.```\n\"And look here.\"\n``` He strafed to the side motioning to a large blood splatter on the ground. ```\n\"There were more bodies here, but they were moved.\"\n```" }, { "author": "053", "message": "```\n\"Well I'd be pissin' myself right now if I had a urinary system\"\n``` He stood over one of the bodies, glaring down at it in his periphery and let out another puff of smoke. ```\n\"They're schemin' somethin' big.\"\n```" }, { "author": "052", "message": "```\n\"Which of our friends are you referring to?\" \n```He idly swung the watch back and forth by the chain, `TICK TOCK TICK TOCK`" }, { "author": "053", "message": "```\n\"Both of 'em, they're all schemin'\"\n``` He knelt down beside the body, picking something up and holding it up to his eye socket, it was a vial filled with a glittery blue liquid. He let out another puff of smoke. ```\n\"Don't see the raw stuff often\"\n```" }, { "author": "052", "message": "```\n\"The 'raw stuff'?\" \n```" }, { "author": "053", "message": "```\n\"Distilled mana.\"\n``` He stood up straight, passing the vial to his partner.```\n\"PRP Regulates it, so they must be brewin' it here, for somethin' special, closeby id guess seein' as we aint' never seen it on any others.\"\n```" } ]	72	1,011
31.5	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Yard on the outskrits of caeli noctis\n\nTul!Register oldwoman oldwoman:text\n\nTul!Nick oldwoman \"Old woman\"" }, { "author": "old woman", "message": "This yard is really dirty i hope someone helps me clean it up" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Doesn't help and instead goes to Bleakfalls Barrow." }, { "author": "random lore dump", "message": "Long before time had a name, the First Spinjitzu Master created Ninjago using four elemental weapons. But when he passed, a dark presence sought out to collect them all: Lord Garmadon. So I, Sensei Wu, his brother, sought out to find four ninja to collect them first." } ]	24	126
269.263158	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "rszo", "message": "Shiro, William and Athena would face no obstacles whatsoever as they descended down the narrow-halled stairwell of 1-A, plausibly bumping into one another if they weren't careful with their steps. No claws to hunt them, nor otherwise inanimate object willing to come alive and attempt to maul them— Shiro would be wise to keep the blade and the flesh it adorned raised up. There was only one direction to follow unlike the previous situation, although there was no indication that they were any closer to finding their lost allies or who be related to them. Each step they took echoed down the seemingly endless staircase practically consumed by an almost unnatural darkness, and yet, eventually, something different came about. Something somewhat promising, relatively speaking, and yet all too familiar based on what had happened thus far.\n\nIt would take several minutes to get All The way down, but as the three of them did, there was a point where there were no more stairs. The birch walls become wider and more comfortable for moving around, and they could walk in a straight path that didn't require descending downwards. Like a tunnel with a light at the end, there was a faint illumination that would be in sight— a blue, timid color— and it evidently served to highlight what was directly below it. A simple, square-shaped trapdoor within the floor, made of the same wood that the rest of the Inn took on, generally being simplistic if not outdated, included a rusted, metal wheel or switch on its top. There existed nothing past this trapdoor, as the hall came to an end. No fake-outs, no extra doorways or wrong directions to disturb them. There was still that slight stench of rot, though.\n\nThe group could decide whether or not they felt so inclined discussing opening it, but it's not like they had any other options at hand comparable to the prior entryway situation they just dealt with. If nothing to think over, grabbing the wheel and turning it would Not Be easy— it required an amount of physical strength that not one singular person could pull off, likely needing a group effort. Assuming said wheel is pulled by their collective strengths, it would slowly open the trapdoor once pulled all the way to the right in an automated fashion somewhat contradictory to its old-fashioned appearance. Gradually, a chute is revealed to be inside.\n\nA slide-like passageway for the trapdoor, built with metal that once again opposed its basic woodwork, of which lacked the same rust that the wheel possessed. It wasn't necessarily large or wide, no more then the trapdoor itself, but all of them could likely fit through with some wiggling around. It was a simple matter of putting oneself inside the chute— one at a time— and sliding straight down, akin to a child going down a surface at a park. The blue light provided some illumination, but it failed to reveal anything other then the fact that the chute was fairly long. Whatever was below could not be discerned, and yet, this was the only place they could go. A reoccurring theme within the Inn thus far, and the question remained whether it would come back to bite them. For a self-aware deathtrap that didn't want anyone going further then its entrance, it seemed to limit the options of invaders." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "The claw, as predicted, stopped for Shiro for his holding of the blade. As they proceeded further, descending down a staircase before them, Shiro couldn't help but to feel a tingling sense of unease. Things were proceeding Too Easy, he thought. \n \nHe wondered how the others, not just Roberta and Brandt, but Starbi and Arlet were fairing.\n \n At last the stairs ended, he stopped briefly for his companions. He may not get winded easily, but they might be, and upon verifying if they were fine, he'd proceed. \n \nFurther onwards was a lumniscence, a light shining blue with what seemed like a trapdoor leading even Further Down. \n \nIt seemed the only way forward however, and by the looks of the wheel and lever, they all needed to be in agreement. \n\n ```\n\"It appears we have reached yet another point of decision. I doubt any of us want to turn back at this stage though, and it appears to open the way requires collective strength, so... Shall we?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena remained silent as she walked down the seemingly endless staircase as she tried to remember her original intention before entering this foreboding descent. Eventually, she reached the room with the trapdoor and wheel. Taking in her surroundings, she walked cautiously toward the trapdoor in the center of the room.\n\nAthena cracked her knuckles, and summoned her Ensnared Sentinel. Both she and the knight grasped the large, rusted wheel attached to the trapdoor. However, instead of immediately attempting to turn it, Athena paused and turned her head towards Shiro and William.\n\n```\n\"Welp, there's really only one way from here, So shall we?\"\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "The descent wasn't as bad as he thought but it did leave some time for his thoughts to wander. Eventually hitting the floor, he searched around the room and agreed with Shiro and Athena to open the latch. Placing his revolver back into it's holster he walked towards the wheel and went into position. Nothing to special, just open the wheel and lever." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "With his companions also deciding to press forward, Shiro would add his might to their efforts, together lifting the latch.\n\nWith a chute being revealed below, the decision would then be who would go down first.\n\nShiro decided to \"Test the waters\" Just in case, and so he would summon a baseball-sized fireball and throw it down the chute, motioning to his companions to wait and see if anything attacked the sudden intrusion into the space.\n\nIf not, they could descend, hopefully safely." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "The rusted metallic wheel is easily conquered by the collective strengths of all Four Of them especially including the Ensnared Sentinel, turning it rightmost with ease and revealing the aforementioned chute below the hatch. Shiro's initiative to launch the ball-shaped fire construct, while rightfully cautious, proved to divulge little to no information. No sudden attacks nor any more effective of illumination then the dingy blue light that hung over the trapdoor— there was no supposed reaction from whatever was to meet them at the end of the slide, and most strangely, there seemed to be a suspicious lack of Noise Or audible volume within the chute itself, almost as if it was completely soundproof, even with the fireball bouncing back and forth across the tight space of the chute's metal. A strange, abnormal detail, as has been the nature of the Inn thus far, but perhaps something to note. Say that one of them went first and intended to warn the others above, for example; such a thing was not possible with no means of sound being able to travel. Nevertheless, the trapdoor was now wide open and they could slide down the chute as they pleased, one at a time. They could move forward, or in this case, downwards. Assuming they did so. . .\n\n``. . .``\n\n. . .The situation at the bottom was Troubling, to say the least. Sliding down would only take a few moments, no more then twenty-five seconds, but upon landing, the landscape was truly bizarre in comparison to what they'd seen before within the Inn, as if it was a different place or World Entirely. One would find themselves planting harshly onto the concrete ground, placed in what seemed to be. . . A prison cell. An old, medieval-like, spacious interior with chains hung across the ceiling and dried up blood dragged across the ground, some making the shape of bodies so as to imply they were removed, but the floor was not cleaned properly. Besides that, it was largely empty, and most of the aforementioned details were present towards the right side, the left being consumed by shadow. Excluding that, however, it was merely dim and not completely dark; more interestingly, the door to said jail cell was Open. No one was there to guard it, and the three of them once landed could simply move forward if that was the case. There was a staircase nearby alongside other cells, but—" }, { "author": "Jensen", "message": "``\". . .Hey! Stop. . . Don't make any noise, that thing'll. . . Hear you!\"``\n\nA loud-yet quiet enough whisper comes from the darkened, left-corner interior of the cell that was thought to be empty. A pained, panicking voice emerges, as does the arms of a stranger, pushing himself up slightly so as to reveal his face and torso to the group. He was an adult man, about late-twenties wearing a gray zipped-up jacket, with a heavy scar across his left eye concealing its acknowledged blue pupil from the right. Heavy scratches and scarring appeared around his muzzle, and his expression represented a man who was suffering tremendously beyond his facial wounds, not to mention the pauses in his tone compensating for said agony. \n\nHe'd make his comment regardless of who landed first, and to those who came afterwards, he made a weak 'hush' indicator with his right finger, lifting his arm up with clear struggle to reach near his jaw. His gray sleeve was also bloodied, which was to only reinforce that his condition was terrible. His voice. . . It sounded Exactly Like the voice recording from earlier, the one that instructed them to the wrong place. That Was odd, but more critically, however, the 'thing' he eluded to had not made itself apparent just yet. This would not last long." }, { "author": "The Warden", "message": "Footsteps approached, and grew louder.\n\nA rather large, grotesque yet somewhat humanoid figure emerged from the shadows of the outside staircase, standing at what seemed to be no less then 8 feet Tall by conventional measurement. A monstrous entity revealed itself, its glowing, yellow eyes like daggers as it, with long strides from its unnatural legs, made its way downstairs. It's body seemed to be a combination of what those in the Inn had faced thus far; the bulk of it was boney, akin to a skeleton or human absent of flesh and muscle tissue, but said bone was frail. The ligaments of the entity were held together by rusted Metal In key areas, in fact much similar to the material associated with those claws they'd just bested. Meanwhile, those beady-eyed maggots crawled all over its surface in various parts, and in particular covered its face excluding its eyes with an insect-mask that made it all the more unsettling. It wore some kind of half-robe or cape slung over its back that upon closer inspection. . . Was woven of something diabolical. It was the stitched together aspects of human Faces— as in the eyes, mouths and general facial aspects once belonging to now deceased victims— in order to hold together a gray, rotting fabric, likely possessing human flesh beyond that, as well. That all-encompassing stench from earlier was perhaps Triple As potent as it was upstairs and in the darkened hallway. It was nearly unbearable.\n\nThe beast grasped a weapon of similar composition to its body, including metal latches across its surface in its left hand. In its right, a flame of like-coloration to its eyes illuminated where it stood. It turned its gaze slightly, audibly Cracking Its neck so as to face the noise it must've heard. It stared directly at where Jensen, and the presumed three of them stood or sat at, but it did not approach. It wouldn't, unless someone gave it incentive to do so. It was the accursed Warden of this wretched prison, after all." }, { "author": "The Hounds", "message": "A pair of more rapid, animalistic footsteps soon came down the steps to accompany The Warden, as two unnatural, unsettling black hounds stood on its left and right. Metallic collars, again like the claws, eyes once akin to the beast they served, bloodied, sharpened jaws, and pointed nails much like blades. They both sniffed the air in their search for what it was the master assumed to have seen, but like him, they only stood in the same spot trying to identify what they struggle to discern as opposed to actually charging the group, despite being right in front of them and clearly in their sight." }, { "author": "Jensen", "message": "``\". . .Don't move or speak, or we're dead.\"``" }, { "author": "The Warden", "message": "The beast speaks aloud through its mask. . . And as if speaking through a corrupted, static radio, it's voice was identical to that voice recording from earlier. . . Just like the stranger's, in fact.\n\n*``\"PICk tHe MiDDle DooR.\"``" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Stared down the hatch, watching the fireball move down, illuminating the walls and way down, but it gave no real help compared to the light of the blue light above. He noticed the lack of sound. Lifting his head up to Shiro and Athena, he spoke, \"It seems the only way is down. I'll drop down first. Wait a minute or two before following. We don't know what's here.\" His voice sounded like a soldier, a captain giving orders. With his words spoken, he gripped the sling of his rifle tightly before sliding down.\nUpon hitting the ground, his boots made a soft thump. Looking around the room, it became clear that it was a prison cell, but not one that looked anything familiar to the ones he'd been in. That was when he heard the voice coming from his left, telling him to stop making noise or it would hear him. Before William was able to lift his hands to make hand signals, the Warden* Appeared. Staring at the entity in front of him, William took notice of its appearance and the weapon it carried. It reminded him of the old war demons people spoke of back in the trenches or the myths and legends of his time. He stood silently and watched the entity; soon his eyes shifted toward the hounds, and he watched them intently too. Listening to the voice of the Warden, William was glad he was the first one down." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "His efforts with the fireball proving unfruitful, except curiously for the Lack Of sound it made as it descended, Shiro would take heed of William's warning and allowed him to proceed first.\n\nHe'd still listen to what would occur once the detective had made it down there, and Shiro would hear nothing from his vantage point far above before he'd descend thereafter.\n\nHis landing would be louder than William's but not by too much, and Shiro would too lay gaze upon the decrepit figure that was now attempting to quiet the new arrivals to what seemed like a ramshackle prison, with but a sole occupant in a sole cell.\n\nThis place truly was baffling, why was such a dark place below an Inn? There could be a multitude of reasons, but it was still troubl-\n\nShiro was snapped out of his pondering by a weak voice, calling out from the cell to quiet him.\n\nIn it was a man, and he looked heavily physically and mentally torn to pieces, it was clear he was in great agony.\n\nThe voice though, was strange, Shiro remembered it from the recording, and it had led them astray, almost to doom, but why?\n\nHe wanted them to be quiet, but for What Purpose?\n\nThat reason soon revealed itself however, as heavy footfalls would come down the hall beyond.\n\nThe smell of rot hit Shiro, even bypassing somewhat his tolerance for such scents, as a truly repulsive presence made itself known.\n\nThe thing that strode in was truly a twisted abomination, a stitched-together being of metal and bone, with an amalgamation of false faces, likely those of its victims. Its garb and gait were the only other semblances of something Human Shiro could tell and its weapon was like-wise ramshackle.\n\nAccompanying it were foul beasts, they resembled some sort of dogs but mutated, their bodies lank and bony.\n\nAs their master ordered them to pick the middle door, Shiro Could Act, but caution warned him otherwise. Gesturing to his two companions, he'd rattle in as quiet a whisper as he could muster:\n\n```\n\"It is wise we strike swiftly. Any sneaky approach risks giving our position away if we misstep and somehow they have not already detected us, likely due to blindness. I shall attempt to strike the warden with my axe, swift and sure, but what of you two? Will you handle the beasts? How should we proceed?\"\n\n\n\n```\n\nIn the case that the beasts or Warden noticed as Shiro spoke or if William or Athena immediately attacked, he would unleash Smoldering Debris* Upon his foes, his axe thrusting pieces of the floor, lit on fire, at the Warden and beasts positions in hopes to strike before his foes could.\n\nIn the case that they waited and thought up a plan of attack, Shiro would follow his companions' lead." }, { "author": "dreamstxr", "message": "Oh shit its already 4pm wtaf" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would wait a minute before jumping down the chute after Shiro and William, desummoning her Ensnaring sentinel beforehand. She would land with extremely little noise upon landing, her landing being the quietest of the three. The first things, or rather creatures that would catch her eye were the pair of hounds and the towering giant, she would then proceed to just stand there silently and observe what happens next." }, { "author": "The Warden", "message": "The Warden continues to stare, but does not approach. The grotesque, freakishly long and bone-metallic ligaments that comprised its body shifted slightly, yet failed to indicate any sort of violent intention, let alone movement or even that it recognized that people were in front of it. Its pupils subtly dilated though the mask of disheveled human faces, bouncing back and forth, left and right. As a matter of fact, it appeared almost as if it were struggling to Discern* If the group was actually there. It held its weapon stationary, and those unnatural maggots that crawled against its body seemed too busy feeding off its dead flesh-laden attire to pay attention.\n\n*``\"PICk tHe MiDDle DooR.\"``\n``\"PICk tHe MiDDle DooR.\"``\n``\"PICk tHe MiDDle DooR.\"``\n``\"PICk tHe MiDDle DooR.\"``*\n\n_ _\n. . .The monster repeats its previous statement over and over, in that staticky, decrepit intonation that once again mimicked the voice of the stranger. However, it seemed that it was not exactly referring to the prison cell door— actually, it wasn't referring to anything within the particular moment at all. Its voice seemed automated, or structured mechanically, perhaps so as to only utter designated statements. Meanwhile, the mutated hounds beneath its feet did sniff the air as would a normal canine in search of something, and it didn't take them long to begin clamoring, releasing what was reminiscent to a deeply disturbed form of 'barking', essentially. They did so several times over, and the one on the left motioned its head towards the cell where the group was, indicating that they were conversely aware of their presence unlike their master.\n\nThe Warden ignored them outright. As far as he could see, there wasn't anyone here but Jensen. And so, after what felt like agonizing moment, the monster turned on its heel, facing away from the trio, and began to continue on its way down the rest of the prison hall, taking slow, long steps, its body cracking with each step. It allowed its weapon to loosen over and connect with the ground, dragging it loudly as it moved. His hounds continued to emit noise, but followed him no less, not daring to disobey. The rotten smell remained, though." }, { "author": "Jensen", "message": "``\". . .Looks like we're clear.\"`` The man whispers following the departure of The Warden, sighing as he grit his teeth harshly, trying to not let the perpetual agony he was in dictate his tone. Not that it was useful information to the group, but despite only being here for what he understood to be a few days, it'd felt like centuries relative to what he endured. The beast had been keeping him alive for some reason. . . Maybe something to do with that voice recording, maybe not. Instead of just killing him, it tormented him, batting his ligaments, nearly tearing him limb by limb, only to leave with enough to writhe in agony as opposed to bleeding out. And it seemed to enjoy it.\n\n``\". . .Wouldn't fight that thing. It's— fuck, no use. Sorry to say. . . But not goin' through that middle door wasn't much better. . . Than this. Warden used my voice to. . . Ergh, say different. Beat me when I said no. Best bet is to get through the maze.\"`` Even still, Jensen attempts to communicate through grunts and numbing suffering. He'd rather do his best to help then rot when possible— though, based on how the last group went about things, he wasn't confident in them surviving. Unfortunately, advisory was all he was good for at this point, and that wasn't enough in a hellhole like this where the casualty rate would only keep going. The 'maze' he referred to beckoned further questioning.\n\n``\". . .How long has it been? Got here Thursday. Agency probably hasn't reported it yet.\"``" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Watching the entity walk away along with its beasts, William grabbed the handle of his blade and walked forward softly to the man in the cell. Taking note of his voice and his appearance, William knew what it felt to be like this, trapped in a cell and unable to die. He felt a form of anger but also pity. He spoke in a low near whisper, \"What do you mean maze, and it used your voice?\" His eyes shifted around the room and the smell, it didn't bother him none, maybe that's why he felt angry. Looking back at the man he spoke again, \"Sorry to say but I don't think anyone from that agency of yours is coming, not alive atleast. We found a body of one upstairs, his tags were with him.\" He turned his head to look back at the others, and turned back to Jenson, \"I reckon we're the best you got now. Tell us what happened here.\" His voice was filled with professionalism" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would watch as the creatures walk off, thinking to herself\n\n```\n... What are those things\n```\n\nOnce the man started speaking, she would listen closely and afterwards she would start thinking of a possible plan to beat those things, with the extremely little info she has.\n\n```\nThe hounds seems to be able to see, but also seem passive. Maybe if the gaint thing were to attack, the hounds would as well. And as for the gaint thing, it seems blind unless it works like the claws and clock pieces above where they attack based on intentions... If that's the case, i should remain calm. If we were to have to fight those things, ensnared sentinel would be best to fight the giant, but until then my birds might be the best choice as to keep watch or scout out areas. I should find out more info, to come up with more... Secure or better, more thought out plans. Until then, i stay low and keep quite.\n```\nOnce everyone has finished speaking and she was done with her thought, Athena would whisper\n\n```\n\"If you wish to know, You have been here for, 3... Maybe 4 days. If i may inquire, what exactly are those things, and could i also inquire more info about this maze, you claim we are in. If you have any that you are willing to share that is.\"\n```\n\nAfter asking the question, she would pull out her journal getting ready to write anything of importance." } ]	279	5,116
499.857143	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "rszo", "message": "For as ugly as it presently appears on the outside, the inside of the Mancini Inn upon entry is Strangely Well-preserved. Electricity and a live fireplace mark a neatly designed lobby built from humble wood and logs, almost as if it were disproportionate to what the exterior of the motel looked like. A receptionist desk that was obviously empty, clean floors, appliable seating and an upstairs section, presumably for the rooms now vacant with the exception of. . . Rotting corpses, perhaps. Plenty of room to look for clues, yet no indication of reason as to why anyone else who showed up here couldn't return.\n\nYet, something was off, if not suspected already. One entering may start to slowly feel a gradual sensation that robs them of their very sense of existence. . . In the most literal, physical sense. A weakness in the muscles and slowness in general movement that is somewhat unnatural persists, but not enough to completely deter mobility. Furthermore, it certainly smells like an unattended murder scene for as clean as it looks to the eye. An omen of what's happened— or what's to come, worst case scenario. They weren't here to appreciate the modest architecture." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "The Starborn was quick to make it into main lobby with eagerness for this new experience after he made his presence entering the building known.\nHe made it in gleefully, following along with a joyful twirl, before Starbi lost his footing for a moment from a disorientating sensation phasing through him, as well as the smell of rot hitting his nose. The starborn nearly fell onto the floor, but luckily kept his footing and remained standing.\n\nHe let out a small sigh of relief, as Starbi then had his eyes focused on the interior design. Despite its distant feeling of dread, Starbi liked the way the lobby looked as he walked around the lobby, his shoes making a clanking sound against the wooden floorboard with the soles of his shoes. \n\nWith the aeshtetic of the interior, it was as if he wasn't in the gloomy blues of the Caritas, seeing as it looked very well-kept in contrast to the impression Starbi got from the outside, even with the smell, which he tried to ignore." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Seeing Starbi almost fall by their lack of balance and the sudden scent of the rotting corpses, he stepped forward ready to catch the Starborn, but spotting Starbi regain their footing he began walking deeper inside the Inn soon walking past his companion with no clear emotion or concern visible on his face, the smell of corpses having no effect on the old soldier. \"Starbi, you're with me. We're gonna clear the bottom and then make our way up.\" He said with the same tone as a soldier would speak, but a voice spoke in his head, His Soul. You should be nicer to Starbi. They treat us better than what we deserve, especially given our past. We saw the wars, and the life it gave us wasn't fair, but don't take it out on the kid. Remember what Mama would tell us? \"Always be kind, even when you want to cry.\" His soul spoke with the sound of Fire and Brimstone but same with a tone of concern and care. William looked back towards Starbi, \"....\" From the look on his face clearly debating what his own soul said to him. \"Starbi... Clear the bottom floor with me after we will make our way up and search there. If you see something out of place, tell me or Athena, please.\" His tone changed to a soft, more gentle voice mixed with his Spanish accent. He gave a soft smile, and his eyes squinted with it, but hidden behind was just pain and sorrow. He turned back around and began his search of the bottom area, starting with the receptionist desk" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi turned his head to the side as he saw William walk past him. A smile forming on his face to see a friend of his before it turned into an expression of curiosity. Starbi noticed that William seemed a bit... Distant, it was when William requested... Or well ordered Starbi to follow his lead that William began to seem a bit stoic, specifically towards Starbi. Did he do something wrong? \n\n```Starbi, you're with me. We're gonna clear the bottom and then make our way up.```\nWilliam spoke in a dead tone; it was the same tone as before. It was a detail Starbi had picked up but didn't really think of much.\n\n\"Yeah, sure! Of course, William! Whatever you say.\" Starbi responded with a nod, understanding what he was being asked. However, after responding, Starbi began to think for a moment about William. Maybe Starbi actually did do something, but he couldn't recall what he did which may have upset him. It was then that silence struck the room after Starbi's response, tilting his head as he kept looking at William, maybe he was thinking about something? Maybe he was just focused on the mission, Starbi could understand that, given the context of the mission.\n\n```Starbi... Clear the bottom floor with me after we will make our way up and search there. If you see something out of place, tell me or Athena, please.```\nThis time, William spoke in a softer tone with a Spanish accent. Starbi picked up on the smile on his face, which eased Starbi's mind, and also made him happy to see that his friend was okay.\n\n\"I heard you the first time, William! Whatever happens, I'll do what I can to help.\" Starbi spoke with a reassuring smile, with a trail of laughter. But as William then began to investigate the receptionist desk, Starbi noticed that even though William was smiling, it wasn't a real smile, he couldn't really sense much joy in that smile. But maybe Starbi should just trust William, he was probably focused on the mission." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena felt a little frusterated having been ignored by Berta pretty much entirely, thinking to herself:\n\n```\nThe nerve of people these days, wanting help but not giving anything at all to go on, or anything to help at all. Kind of Ironic.\n```\n\nAnd with a resigned sigh, she closed her journal, sliding the pencil neatly into its spine. Her gaze shifted towards the staircase looming ahead.\n\n```\n\"So it begins.\"\n```\nShe whispered to herself, steeling her resolve for the task at hand. She then looks towards William and Starbi.\n\n```\n\"I'ma head upstairs and look for anything of use\"\n```\nShe declared, her voice projecting a sense of purpose. She then looks away back towards the stairs as if returning to a state of deep thought:\n\n```\nI should really bring up that document i found a couple weeks ago with William, since it is about him. Maybe he is more willing to open up to people if someone else brings it up. Summoning my birds would also be quite wise as i would have more eyes on the case, and to watch my back for if anyone tries anything.\n```\n\n...\n\n```\n\"Oh hey William, when you two are done searching the downstairs, come find me. There is something i want to talk to you about, you can also join Starbi, since there are other matters i want to attend to\"\n```\nShe says loudly, She then summons her incarnation\n\n```\nDuality\n```\n\nA Crow mostly black with yellow eyes and few blue feathers appears on her left shoulder and A Dove mostly white with green eyes and few blue feathers appears on her right shoulder.\n\n```\n\"Survey the area as we go, tell me anything that looks out of place or of note.\"\n```\nShe commands to her birds, her voice authoritative and unwavering.\n\nWith her avian companions poised to assist, Athena ascends the stairs with purpose, undeterred by the unsettling stench and creeping sense of dread that permeated the air. Her experience in solving murder cases had hardened her resolve, and she remained determined to push forward, no matter the obstacles she might encounter." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "The white-haired woman's hair sways as she shifts from exterior to interior, arms still folded and tucked beneath her chest as she took long, flowing, and buoyant strides into the wooden interior of the inn. Immediately, her heightened senses were assaulted — her brow twitched as the subtle permeation of the rot that subtly gave odor to the building's exterior now grew into a noxious scent. Yet her gut does not churn; her nose is merely turned at the scent, for it is something she is quite familiar with, as unpleasant as it was.\n\nHer expression does not change. Something still lingers on her mind.\n\nThe passing visages—the changing expressions. Introductions without introductions, and clarifications of objectives brought about by Arlet's own incitation. Her light-blue irises opened lightly following Athena's earlier reply and further honed with the understated tension building in William's visage, yet despite what slight-yet-sharp intrigue was demonstrated in her honed gaze, she did not speak a further reply. Perhaps it was merely the change-of-pace as predicated by Alexis' arrival. Or perhaps it was due to some reservation she held with the former's statement itself; either way, Arlet's expression offered little insight into her actual thoughts. She remained quiet, her eyes closing, as she continued forward with a lightness in her gait, swinging lightly with each step.\n\nThe cold clinging to her body clashes against the semblance of warmth she puts on.\n\nPacing briefly around the interior of the lobby, Arlet attempts to acclimate herself with the new environment, scanning briefly over what small details cross pass her gaze. Briefly peeking behind the receptionist desk, she places a hand to her chin, briefly contemplating playing the role of the receptionist, yet literally waves the thought off, amusedly grinning to herself.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"It's much easier on the eyes than I thought.\"```\n\nSimple observations were stated amidst a more elaborate search. Amidst the wretched scents and small commotion of the detectives' entries, Arlet honed in on the sound and scent of the smoke of the fire, the subtle hum of the electricity, and the soft creak of the boards beneath her feet. Yet what stood out to her most and most immediately of all was that familiar sense of Weakening. It was something so alarmingly akin to something she felt every day — the subtle, extra weight on her own body, the slight limpness of her limbs in their motion, and the cold, bloodless sensation at her fingertips — that she initially thought little of it besides a small sense of grievance. But as it grew ever-more-sensitively-intense, she quickly took mental note of the phenomenon.\n\n`Annoying.`\n\n...Brushing it off as something nothing more than a minor inconvenience. All-the-while, her instincts and greater sense of judgment continued to warn her against her pride to take caution.\n\n```fix\n\"Well, then. I'll be headed up if anyone needs me!\"\n\"Try not to die without at least hollering for help first, mm?\" ——she grinned lightly.\n\"Oh — and... Starbi. Starbi-Starbi-Starbi, right?\"\n\"𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬.\"```\n\nHer tone was cheery, and quite removed from her surrounding environment. Yet the last of her statements came with a shifted glare and a different smile; both honed, her eyes then slightly opening from a close-eyed grin; the latter lightened, and it altogether showed a distinctive sense of intensity that Arlet had been earlier withholding. She lifted a thumbs-up over her shoulder as she pivoted on a heel, quickly raising pace to the staircase, now grinning fully again.\n \n```fix\n\"Up we go.\"```\n\nShe took quick strides up the stairs, following behind Athena and swiftly matching pace with her, slowing as she reached a side-by-side climb with the detective up the stairs." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Frowning sadly as he watched Roberta leave, he'd then, however, waste no time following the others into the strangely well-lit lobby.\n\nThe place looked very cozy, as you'd expect from any good inn, but aside from the lights, something felt... Off, it certainly felt as though some dark magic was at work, but of what, he could not ascertain.\n\nThe rot had hit him too but it did not affect him much, he had, unfortunately, seen and Smelled His fair share, in the past.\n\nAs William accompanied Starbi more inwards, Shiro decided he too would start there, going further in, then up.\n\nMost of these people seem rather upbeat for being at the scene of a crime, he thought ruefully, before he too set off.\n\nNo better place for him, he set off first towards the fireplace, looking around its area for any clues." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi walked around as he left William to do his investigation. He was pretty much walking aimlessly without little to no idea what to investigate exactly, or how to investigate professionally. He wasn't exactly a professional like Athena or William, but he could see why William would invite him in the first place. \n\nStarbi then turned around to see Athena walk in, a smile forming on his face as she spoke. It seemed that she had something to talk about, but it sounded like it was meant for William more than for Starbi. \n\"Alright, Athena! We'll see you when we see you!\" Starbi spoke with a smile, waving to her as she went upstairs.\n\nStarbi then turned his eyes to see Artlet, one of the people he had seen before, and the person he waved to outside the Inn out of friendliness. She spoke, saying that she should be called for if danger were to appear.\n\n```\"Oh — and... Starbi. Starbi-Starbi-Starbi, right?\"\n\"𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬.\"```\nStarbi tilted his head out of curiosity, his smile replaced with an expression of curiosity. She wished him good luck, to him specifically. Starbi's expression turned to that of a friendly smile when she began to go upstairs with Athena.\n\"Okay, thanks!!\" Starbi thanked her as he waved her goodbye.\n\nNext came Shiro, the person he got the strange feeling before, Starbi had his eyes on him walking towards the fireplace to seemingly investigate, and that left Starbi to be the only one not investigating. He then looked around to look for something to investigate.\n\"Hmmm...\" The Starborn hummed to himself, he looked at the stairs Artlet and Athena used to go upstairs for a moment, before looking at some of the appliable seating near the entrance of the lobby, it was probably the best thing to start investigating first." }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "The horrible sound of angry chanting mixed with beating rain faded away as they stepped inside.\nPeaceful. Aside from the creeping sense of foreboding.\nBut that was nothing Alexis was unfamiliar with, in fact horrible senses of dread and foreboding were quite typical for these kind of investigations.\nStepping off to the side she located the coat rack, and slowly undid the buttons on her trench coat, hanging it up with a hefty heave.\nUnderneath she was wearing a yellow dress shirt and a pair of high waisted brown dress pants that were tucked neatly into her laced riding boots.\nShe sighed, her hair was still soaked, she should have brought that umbrella.\nTurning back toward the rest of the room she would find most of her companions already departed, fools, the lobby was unassuming on the surface, but this was an arcane mystery.\nCracking her knuckles, one by one, she slowly opened her third eye, gazing around the lobby, taking note of all that was invisible to the naked eye, analysing the ambient arcane radiation, looking for specific enchantments, but most importantly trying to find a proverbial scent to follow." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "Tom made his way through the Inn door that had been left open, having entered whilst everyone else was engaged on their own investigations. He decided, naturally, that the best course of action was to lazily toss his umbrella to the floor— as opposed to hanging it up properly— and find himself a comfortable seat. Indeed, it was odd that the place looked like this well off on the inside when comparing it to the exterior, but that's stating the obvious. Obvious doesn't help him.\n\nThomas removed his coat and cap, aimlessly tossing it onto a centered table. He plopped himself down, feeling the comfort the seat, quite literally kicking his feet up onto said table, and reached over to grab a magazine from a now unorganized mess of a pile. The cover was a tanned woman with a bikini, which was remarkably unsavory and offputting to have in a Christian establishment like this. Must be an import, or a cruel prank that was never fixed. In theory, it Could Be a clue, and therefore justified this— . . .Well, not really, but he didn't care anyway. Everyone else was doing what he was brought here to do, why bother? His only obligation was to be here so long as the case was solved, and it'd just be wasting his energy to look too. . . Although that assumed they looked well enough, which also assumed they were competent and capable of doing so, a typically slippery slope. In any case, he opened it, and tuned out everything else, including the group's eventual discovery. Anything bad happens, and he's here.\n\n_ _\nTom lowered the magazine for a moment as to extend his arm once again, this time digging around his own jacket in a bent position until he found it— his metallic flask. He then returned to a more comfortable position, and continued. Introducing oneself is what a decent person would at the very least do in this situation, let alone actually help or do his job. Being decent sucks. Plus, he'd be interrupting their. . . Good work, so to speak. He was hoping they didn't notice he was there." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "It was a less then intriguing search that wouldn't last very long at all, nor prove to be especially fruitful for anyone excluding William or Arlet. Besides old trinkets and lobby-related appliances or objects— books, papers, old IDs and utensils— there was very little to observe upon closer inspection of the compact reception area of the Inn. Curiously, the same could be said for the second floor, where most of the rooms, numbered as '1-A' and thereon, were barricaded with wooden planks. Of course, one had the agency to knock those down if they so felt inclined, but that decision would not reward them with anymore information— even if broken into, the rooms were barren and seemingly, much like the lobby itself, undisturbed or changed despite the murderous circumstances that loomed. There were eight rooms; 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 1-E, 1-F, 1-G, 1-H, and 1-I, of which only 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C was left completely open. Yet, they Too Looked like the rest with a severe lack of clues, tells or differences. A small bed, a lamp, a closet and cabinet in the coziest, modest sense of the imagination. There was the question of who barricaded them, why they would, and when they did so that was something to be considered.\n\nArlet, Athena and company would find nothing concrete upstairs. Shiro's inclination to the fireplace proved to be useless, and the seating, as did the entrance of the lobby was similarly devoid of valuable information as checked by Starbi. Alexis's analysis of the magical proponents of the Inn only served to prove that powerful mana forces were at work, but revealed little about its source or its specific nature. Yet, it was William's straightforward decision to begin with receptionist desk that was the simplest, yet most eventful lead. Hidden between old stacks of paper that possessed names and filings of those who had checked in throughout the years tucked within the wooden desk was a petite, strange looking. . . Device, of sorts, albeit not excessively abnormal when given a closer look.\n\nIt was a small, black circle, but it had audible holes as to indicate something that resembled a speaker, seen on radio transmitters or naked headphones. Furthermore, it was accompanied by a tinier, round button that could be pressed. In other words, it was a peculiarly designed recording device that was left there for reasons unclear. Compared to what could be reached as 'evidence' elsewhere in the lobby, this seemed to possess the most legitimacy as something actually useful based on how different it was from everything else admissible, seeming entirely out of place. It was interesting, though, that it was left Here, because it was almost like that was done on purpose for it to be in the most obvious, non-discrete place possible. There existed reason to believe that someone wanted it to be found. Frankly, it wouldn't take too long for either William or Arlet to notice it.\n\n_ _\nIf the button was pressed, a short audio recording would play from the small device. A straight through recorded file, but it was filled with static and. . . Labored breathing. It was the voice of an adult man, neutral accented with a low, panicked tone, whispering into, presumably, the device itself. There didn't seem to be an obvious 'record' button on the device, though. It sounded like he was running. More huffs and puffs, before the stranger was able to emit discernable meaning into his words— depending on who between William or Arlet obtained it, either one could decide whether they wanted to press the button and have the rest converge on their position in order to listen in as a collective.\n\n\"Okay. . . Okay. I don't have time to tell you my name, but just know this— anyone who's hearing this. . . Okay, listen. This place is not what it seems like, and I know you probably know that, but think of it even worse then what you believe— everythings all fucked up. If you're. . . If you can hear this, do this. Behind one of the bookshelves in the back corner, the left, move it. . . Theres a switch, a fucking lever. Pull that. It'll change up the rooms upstairs. . . You'll see when its pulled.\"\n\n\"After that— shit!\" A distinctly loud noise is audible in the recording. The man begins to move again. \"\". . .After, you'll have three options. Pick 1-B. Don't pick A or C, pick the middle door. The other two will— ERCK—\" A sudden interruption followed by a grotesque, uncomfortable and unnatural shifting. Screams that were muffled and the uncertain sounds of physical limbs. . . Contorting, and twisting. There were departing words to be added:\n\n\"H t iv- u c'ttolo intt ounryeo' so dooec'nre tamkonis l 1 pcr.\" A collective of nonsensical consonants and vowels, followed by much, much clearer intonation. \"Fidati solo della porta centrale! Confía sólo en la puerta central!-\" To those knowledgeable, it was Italian, and then Spanish, albeit in a higher pitched voice then the man's original tone. The recording would abruptly end at the tip of the last sentence— meanwhile, the aforementioned bookshelf was indeed within the back left corner of the Inn as suggested, across from another that looked virtually identical aside from the texts. Time was of the essence, and they had what seemed to be instructions." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Searching the reception desk, he could only see old piles of paper of the old residents of the Inn. That was until he moved them around to read who was present during the murder was when he spotted it, a black object inside the desk. Seeing that it was a type of speaker and must have recordings he began to think to himself, Whoever left this is most likely gone. Probably killed while making this, alright. I gotta call everyone down to hear this. Hopefully, it has something that can help us. He reached down towards the speaker and the button to play it but stopped before he could press it, \"Athena! Come down here and make something of yourself!\" He yelled loud enough for the people upstairs to hear his voice, a tone of a soldier. He looks towards Starbi and Shiro but then spotted an odd looking man sitting reading a paper. * Who the hell is that? If he got into here, that means he's a detective too, from the looks of it he is. Ain't my problem for now.* He thought to himself, \"Starbi, come here.\" He made a hand gesture motioning the comrade to come closer, \"I don't much like the look of this place. Remember, stay close. If you see something out of place, get me and Athena.\" He said once again, wanting to have the starborn nearby in case something bad happened. From the tone of his voice, it sounded like he was concerned for the well-being of his comrade, but the look on his face gave a sense of hardness. He begins to wait for the others to gather around the reception desk" }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "A strong magic was afoot throughout the building, it was all encompassing with no specific source, paired with the lingering sense of foreboding; a signal from the subconscious mind that something is not right, Alexis deduced there was likely an illusion in place over the inn.\nAs her gaze swept around the room, it would eventually fall onto Mr Brandt.\nHer brow furrowed as she stared daggers through him, his SOUL was not visible, either he didn't have one, and was instead some form of construct, or he had something significant that made it worth investing time into HIDING it.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"If you're going to be completely useless can you atleast do us the courtesy of not tainting the room with your presence\" \n```\nHer third eye twitched in a rather grotesque and erratic manner as the magazine he held tore in half as the rest of the magazines still on the table swept away and scattered across the floor.\nHer third eye shut, and she turned away paying him no more mind, as she approached the reception, standing beside William and leaning back against the desk with her hands in her pockets.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"I believe there may be an illusion on the Inn\" \n```\nShe eyed the device in his hand, clearly waiting for him to do something with it." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena searching the upstairs would take note of the 3 open rooms labeled A-C all starting in 1, along with the rest of the oddly boarded up rooms.\n\n```\n\"Hmm, that's peculiar.\"\n```\nShe murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible in the stillness.\n\n```\nWhy would rooms be boarded up, and why are 3 of them wide open. I Don't trust this, and shouldn't there also be caution tape or body outlines somewhere. Its sloppy, almost like the police are absolute amateurs. Can't get anything done if there is nothing to go off of.\n```\nShe Thinks to herself, Shaking her head at the thought of the police doing a sloppy job, as they are more likely amateurs. That's when Athena hears William yell for her to come down and make something of herself.\n\n```\nHe probally found something of use for the investigation... But he is so getting hit for that statement of making use of myself.\n```\nShe thought. Athena then looks towards Arlet, Grinning as she says:\n\n```\n\"I'll go see what he found, do what you want. Just dont get yourself killed, or do. Could make the case easier\"\n```\nShe quipped, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.\n\n```\nIf they do get themselves killed, it would leave a fresh body and possibly fresh prints if the killer is not careful. It would also leave one less untrustworthy person to look after.\n```\nAthena thinks to herself as she proceeds downstairs, Then yelling to William:\n\n```\n\"Yea, I'll be right there!\"\n```\n\nOnce Athena gets downstairs, She would go meet up with William at the Receptionist's desk.\n\n```\n \"Upstairs was a dead end, quite literally.\"\n```\n she remarked dryly, her tone laced with frustration\n\n```\n\"Nine doors, six boarded up, three wide open. One-A, One-B and One-C. Didn't get far before you beckoned me down here. And as for your charming comment about making use of myself...\"\n```\nWithout missing a beat, she delivered a playful punch to his stomach, a smirk dancing on her lips. Straightening up, she continued, her curiosity piqued.\n\n```\n\"So, what did you find?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Seeing as his search proved unfruitful, Shiro decided to head towards the others. Perhaps he'd try the reception area next.\n\n.....And when he turned, he saw a man, not there before, just sitting in one of the many armchairs, reading a ....Risque magazine.\n\n```\n\"Pardon me, sir. Who are you? Are you here to investigate as well?\"\n\n```\nHe'd say, his gaze leveled at the man. By the man's demeanor, he doubted that he was here for any noble purpose. Best to keep an eye on him.\n\nHe noticed the others gathering behind him at the very area he was trying to get to.\n\n```\n\"I'll come back to you later.\"\n\n```\n\nHe'd say curtly to the stranger who had made his presence, well, not known per se...\n\nAs he walked to the others.\n\n```\n\"What have you unearthed there, Starbi?\" \n\n```\n\nHis questioning aimed at the person who had shouted out first." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi hadn't really been doing much in his own personal investigation. To him, he didn't know what to exactly look for, as everything seemed normal, nothing that one would consider out of the ordinary. So he thought that William and Shiro would have better results. So Starbi just stood still as he then looked around again, first to William by the receptionist desk, then to Shiro by the fireplace. \n\nStarbi blinked as he heard the sound of something falling, he turned around to see a rather tall man had made it to the Inn, Starbi tilted his head as he just watched the man dropping what seemed to be an umbrella on the floor, the man seemingly making himself at home while he just sat on a seat with a magazine. Starbi kept his eyes on him, not sensing any sort of joy from him, the Starborn tilted his head as he was wondered who this person was, most likely a detective to investigate as well. Starbi wondered why he was just sitting down and relaxing, maybe that was his strategy in investigation.\n\nStarbi's words trailed off as he turned his head to see William calling out for Athena to make it downstairs, it the same tone from before. \n\n```\"Starbi, come here. I don't much like the look of this place. Remember, stay close. If you see something out of place, get me and Athena.\"```\nFamiliar words he had heard of before, despite his serious expression, Starbi didn't take that into account as he knew that William had good intentions.\n\n\"On it!!\" Starbi spoke with a smile as he walked over towards William and apparently Shiro. Starbi turned his head to Shiro who had asked him about his results in his investigation. \n\"Oh! Hmmm...\" Starbi turned his head back to the space he was investigating. He then turned his head back to Shiro.\n\"Nothing so far! Don't think I could really find much here.\" He responded as he smiled at Shiro out of optimism, Joyful Aura wavering over the lobby when Starbi smiled. \n\"By the way, I wanted to ask you! Are you-\"\n\n \nThe Starborn's words were cut off as he saw Athena walk over explaining what she had found upstairs with Artlet, seemingly distracted from, if not forgotten what he wanted to ask Shiro. Athena and Artlet had supposedly found nine doors, six of them boarded up with three wide open and titled \"One-A, One-B, One-C\" Respectively as described by the detective.\n\n\"That's great Athena. Glad you and that lady found something up there!\" \nStarbi congratulated, Joyful Aura keeping its looming presence in the lobby. Starbi then saw Athena playfully punch William in the stomach for what he had said, Starbi letting out a small laugh from his mouth as a result.\n\nAthena asked William he had found, Starbi turning his head as he looked to William.\n\n\"But yeah, William. What did you find?\"\nThe Starborn asked with a curious smile, his eyes looking over to Alexis who was speaking to the new person sitting down, before Starbi's eyes looked back to William." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "```fix\n\"Coming in~\"```\n\n*`CRACK`\n\nWith hardly what acceleration would seem necessary to do so, Arlet flicked her wrist into one of the boards barricading the room 1-D, impacting it like a sledge and dislodging it from where it remained nailed. Once, twice, then thrice she repeated this action, breaking apart the barricade board-by-board, until she was left with only the open door and the frame around it.\n\n```fix\n\"...\"```\n\nShe scanned, her gaze piercing; curious. But soon there came a sort of laziness upon them as they glossed over what ordinary and agreeing items decorated the interior of the room: its regularity was, frankly, very boring to her. With the full, underlying expectation that something more unusual, perhaps — or something simply more interesting than nothing — would occur or stand out the moment she took a more direct approach towards the investigation, she entered, and her notion was only met by an increasing sense of disappointment filling her chest as she haphazardly pulled the room apart. \n_ _\n\nArlet started with the blanket, plucking it from where it rest upon the bed and tossed it over her shoulder; then the pillow, the bedsheet, and even the mattress in likewise manner, the latter of which she simply and briefly lifted from the frame with a single dispassionate tug. She sank low to check beneath the frame, then quickly swung her head back up with a light roll of her eyes, only to twirl immediately to step toward the cabinet and to discharge it of each of its drawers by lifting it off the ground and tipping the thing upside-down. The wardrobe was granted a similarly coarse treatment, as she thrust open each of its doors, peeked in, and softly (with all the force of a chisel driven into stone) pressed against their back- and under-sides with two fingers in search of a hidden compartment, cracking the grain of the wood in the process. That would be before she pulled the thing from the wall and let it — SLAM!* — crash against the floor, hardly bothering to check whether there was anything behind it, as she then stepped with heavy strides and arms folded beneath her chest from the room.\n\n```fix\n\"Not even worth my time...\"```\n\nThough it did give her a bit of time to think about something. She lightly clasped her chin, her eyes lifted to the ceiling.\n\n```fix\n\"Mm...\"\n\"...I should've grilled that woman a little, myself...\"```\n\nHer eyes descended back down to Athena, at this time responding. She grinned with a lightness that disregarded the weight of what she had, herself, just said; and similarly, she shrugged.\n\n```fix\n\"I'm coming with you.\"\n\"I don't think I caught your name,\" She lied, motioning towards Athena as they now both descended the stairs.```\n\nIt was... Easier, To do it this way.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"What's your angle on her?\"\n\"Roberta, our friend. Ahmm...⸺Berta, rather?```\n\nA hand on her hip, Arlet arrived back in the main lobby with the rest, a lightly questioning expression on her visage. Truth-be-told — and in similar fashion to how she had earlier lied to Athena — she was, in most parts, already understanding of what had transpired downstairs. Her hearing was sharp, and incredibly so: enough that murmurs could be heard as audible sentences, and reverberations echoing through the foundation could give her a clear enough understanding of where everyone else was situated in reference to herself.\n\n```fix\n\"...Hm?\"```\n\nYeah, it would be a bit easier to pretend to be elucidated for a moment. In any case, from the upstairs, she couldn't catch every word coming from the speaker; a little rehash would be nice." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "It seems misery truly does love company, and he suddenly now has to talk to people— multiple people, in fact, not that any was more pleasant then another, interrupting his quality time with Romana Bigtits. First came about Shrio, who ever directly asked who he was and why he was here. Gee, how right was he earlier? The Exact Two inquiries that he said he did not Care To answer to himself, but would Have To, apparently, came to pass. The great misfortune of being a genius is that you're always right, even when you don't want to be. A tragic artform, with shortcomings related to knowing too much for their own good. Like a Shakespearian tragedy.\n\n``\"Health inspector. Checking for media literacy.\"`` Tom replied to Shiro with a sarcastic remark and a nod that he somewhat expected to go over his head, specifically the second part. In any case, he could still deflect questions as he so choose, although this wouldn't last for long and was more of him just wanting whoever spoke to him to go away. Shiro would do so, converging with the rest of the group— they had discovered something, it seemed. It was now that this cast of characters were becoming more clear to him, unwillingly so, but his crave of knowledge and information overtook his callousness. Deeper analysis was on the menu, accompanied by a splash of alcohol. He had held the magazine in his left grasp, and with his right, skillfully worked to uncork the cap of his flask in short order using his index finger, as if he'd done so many times before. It fell upon successful removal, but he caught by maneuvering the same hand fast enough to catch it in his palms. Now, holding it against the base of the flask itself, he lifted it to his gums, allowing a waterfall of bourbon to drown his esophagus, as he made his initial joke literal, to an extent.\n\n_ _\nThere stands a cowboy, stoically faced and dressed like he was straight out of a bad midwestern film. Chick with 3 eyes, chick who didn't have 3 eyes, Albino chick from outside, and— my God, that voice was grating as hell. Starbi's inflection almost immediately agitated Tom, for it was, without hyperbole, the most unsavory thing he had ever heard in his life up to this point, then and there. That Positive Intonation— eugh, who sounds like that? Who talks like that? Why would you talk like that, ever? If he was cursed to be as uplifting as Starbi sounded, he would blow his brains out before getting a full sentence out. Also, what's with the hair? They a hipster or something? It was all so irksome, but he was distracted. He'd have more time to get proper reads on them later.\n\nAlexis seemed to be the most disturbed by his behavior. Guy can't look at some knockers these days, can't he? Tom was fairly certain why she was Really Bothered, how it went beyond his mere actions— more on that later, though, and for now he'd just reject she-knows-what absent of consequence. He was, in all honesty, actually trying to determine why the lewd magazine was here in the first place by examining it, but that would be cut short as Alexis made an irritated comment, which would be followed by the magazine in his hands promptly being torn to shreds, alongside the rest of them on the table being tossed to the floor via non-tangible means. Tom was not visibly surprised nor angered, however, at first looking to the shredded paper, and then to the magazines on the floor. His glare turned to Alexis, but it wasn't a vexed one as opposed to a curious squint held in silence for several seconds, observing from his different colored irises, the steel blue and serpent yellow. His crossed legs remained in place, as did his laze posture. Believe it or not, but he was not nearly as lazy as he was portraying himself to be at the moment. Conversely, he was more disrespectful then they knew.\n\n_ _\n``\". . .I'll say, it's a commendable thing to put in hours whilst ovulating. I couldn't do it— y'know, literally.\"`` Tom said this after some unrelated thoughts about Alexis kept to himself, having turned her attention away from him. Essentially, he was calling her a woman on her period, otherwise bitchy, if that wasn't clear. It didn't take him that long to come up with that, and his silence was a product of unrelated thoughts he'd keep to himself. He also figured that his quip wouldn't do much of anything to the 3-eyed ketchup peel given her general inclination, if not just outright ignoring him, but who knows? Maybe he'd be wrong. How great would that be? Throwing insults at each other like schoolchildren— wouldn't that spice things up? It'd also prove him right as far as his insult went. \n\nAnyhow, Tom skimmed his right hand down his pants, and felt his phone in his unobvious trouser pocket, still keeping his gaze around the room. Thing probably had service, too, but this was entertainment enough; he found it intriguing, for example, that nobody gave a damn about the rancid smell as far as he could tell. Oh, and something about a voice recording and a bookshelf. Might be interesting, or they might need his help. He took another long sip from his flask, remaining watchful in the background. So long as things weren't boring, it was easier for him to, at the least, listen a little. Like he said earlier, he was only around in case things went south, and nothing more. Not that they'd believe or expect it of him, but he was perfectly willing to conduct his own search and deductions once everyone reached their conclusions as compensation for their probable defectiveness, especially when combined. That's pretty much his job most of the time." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Making a grunt due to the impact of Athena playfully punching him in the stomach for his comment of her making something of herself, a soft smile could be seen on his face but it quickly faded as the others arrived and surrounded the reception desk. He looked at Arlet, who came down the stairs and began to wonder, She don't look very disturbed, or like a regular detective would look. She knows something, maybe something about the case... Nows not the time to be picking fights. He thought to himself and without missing a beat pressed the play button of the speaker. Hearing the tape, he thought to himself once again, Shit. I knew it, Starbi don't need to hear this. The words echoed in his mind as he reached into his coat pocket to retrieve his hand warmers, knowing that the knitted wool would dampen the noise heard, he walked over to Starbi and covered their ears. This act of care and compassion was a clear contrast from his usual grumpy and moody demeanor. As the recording came to an end and the sound of the man dying and his final words came, William relaxed his posture and placed his hand warmers back into his pocket, walking past Starbi the expression on his face being one of thought, This don't sound good. Starbi doesn't carry any weapons that I can see of or seen them use... I'm probably gonna regret this but we need all help we can get. He finishes his thought by reaching into the shoulder holster hidden underneath his coat and pulls out the Star Model BM pistol, with his back still turned to Starbi, he removes the magazine noting that it only held 8 rounds and checked to see that one was in the chamber. In total 9 shots. He turns back to face Starbi and preforms a railroad agent spin in order to give Starbi the gun by the grip, he spoke once again\n\n\"Don't make me regret this Starbi.\" A clear hint of distrust in his voice before continuing, \"You only have 9 shots, use it when only necessary. Aim at the chest and focus on the front sight. When you pull the trigger make sure you mean it because believe me, no matter how much you want to take it back you can't. Every shot is permanent never forget that. I'll teach you to shoot properly when we have time but not now.\" He says with a hint of sadness but also seriousness. He turns towards Athena, \"Your call, boss. What do you want to do? In the recording, he said,'trust only the central door.' You said that there were barred doors? Anything off about them?\" He spoke once again in the professional tone he spoke in before waiting for her response before proceeding in any more investigation." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Among the others, Shiro listened perhaps the most intently to the recording that played before them.\n\nThe place was magical, that they knew and as such he had surmised, but clues still the recording held, and terror more as screams rang out and flesh seemed to shift into something ghastly.\n\nThe man had then spoken in a mix of both Spanish and Italian, two languages both Shiro and his brother had been taught amongst many other earthern dialects before being sent here.\n\nThe central door, the middle door... Behind a bookshelf.\n\nPerhaps before the others could, might they still be taking in the device's contents, Shiro strode over to the mentioned bookshelf.\n\nMoving it aside, he wrenched the lever behind it and waited." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would respond to Arlet's question from earlier stating in a serious tone:\n\n```\n\"My name is Athena, and as of my thoughts on Berta. Well, I don't have any strong opinions currently. To me, She is not a friend but more of another suspect on a list.\"\n```\n\nShe then eyes the newcomer just sitting near the entrance. Before saying anything she thinks about the newcomer:\n\n```\nGod, another one? Hmmm... Unlike the rest though, this one seems quite useless as he seems like they are just relaxing. I guess that adds something good about all these people here, except him of course.\n```\n\nWhen the stranger introduced themselves as a Health Inspector, Athena scoffs at the remark thinking\n\n```\nHealth inspector... Classic government bullshit, there is no reason for a health inspector to be here until the job is solved or scrapped and when the place is ready for inspection before the opening... Oh yea, my incarnation is still out as well.\n```\n\nAthena DE-manifests her Birds, Then William plays the recording. She listens closely to everything in the recording, Dissecting it for anything of use. Reflecting silently on the recording:\n\n```\nPoor guy, had such a horrible fate.\n```\n\nAfter the recording ends, Athena then turns her attention to the group and proposes a plan:\n\n```\n\"We should look for this lever they mentioned, though im not sure i trust any of this one bit so be careful, Something seems off. We should stay in groups of three and since Mr. Health Inspector doesn't seem like they are going to help or be of any use, He can sit there and look stupid or something. Anyways I think the groups should be Me, William and Starbi. Then the rest of yall can group up. Any objections?\"\n```\n\nSaying \"Mr. Health Inspector\" In a obviously sarcastic tone, She then looks to Starbi and William and says in a now more serious tone:\n\n```\n\"Before we all split up though, i have matters to attend to with the both of you. We could do this here or in a seperate room. Up to you two.\"\n```\n\nShe then turns around to see Shiro pulling a lever\n\n```\nShit, why was he so quick to pull the lever. Damn Fool\n```\nAthena thought to herself, before saying in a tone of seriousness:\n\n```\n\"Welp, Since the lever was pulled yall can start heading upstairs. Arlet should know which door. Also you should be more careful, something bad could have happened, You fool\"\n```\nThe last sentence clearly directed towards Shiro, having a little hint of anger in her tone. Athena then looks at Tom, Her eyes narrowing as she says in a angry and serious tone:\n\n```\n\"You can join them if you're capable, but If you are just gonna sit there and look ugly, you should leave and let the professionals who are actually helping do their work. Right now.\"\n```\n\nShe thinks to herself after her statement:\n\n```\nHopefully they leave, This one I dislike and distrust the most out of everyone here. Something about him and his comments. Don't want people who are going to hinder our progress here anyways, There is a serious job to do afterall.\n```" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi watched with a patient smile as William pressed the button for the speaker to begin functioning. The speaker being a recording of that of a man speaking for whoever found this recording.\n\nIt was nothing dangerous yet. It was apparently a clue regarding a lever in the main lobby behind the bookshelves. To which Starbi's eyes looked over to the one described by the speaker with a curious expression which followed with a tilted head, the man saying that the rooms upstairs discovered by Athena and Artlet will change. Starbi turned his head back to the speaker which played a loud sound with the sounds of running. The man then warned about the doors upstairs, that door 1-B should be picked out of the three.\n\nThe man was then going to provide reason as to why, but the man was interrupted with the sound of grotesque and unnatural shifting, followed along with muffled screams. Starbi slightly flinched to the grotesque sounds before the sounds of the speaker began to muffle out. Starbi blinked to see that his ears had been covered with warm fabric by his friend, William. Starbi was distracted as he focused on William, as his eyes glanced back at the speaker for a few seconds. Then, the muffled sounds of faint speaking ended, as Starbi's ears were met with a chill as William let go of his ears. Starbi saw as William walked past him, as Starbi looked to the floor to think for a moment, then back to the speaker. Starbi perked up to hear the sounds of clicking and clacking, turning his head to see William's back.\n\n \n```\"Don't make me regret this Starbi.\"```\nWilliam then turned around with a gun in his hands, offering it to Starbi.\n\nStarbi's eyes focused and hazed as he stared at the gun. He felt tense, however kept it behind his polite yet curious expression which one could see past with Starbi's eyes shaking ever so slightly. As he accepted into his hands with it in his right hand, staring at the gun with an unusual blank expression. As William was speaking, Starbi wasn't paying attention as his focus was completely on the gun in his hands, a ringing noise in his ear to tune out everything around him, a tense shiver going through his body with a faint itch growing in Starbi's stomach. \n\"...\"\nBut Starbi then regained his focus, as Starbi heard William finished his talk regarding the gun. He needed to relax; it wasn't even that bad, he had nothing to worry about. Starbi became visibly calmer as he looked at the gun, a calm smile forming on his face with a very small sigh of relief escaping through his nose, everything was okay now, he was just being irrational.\n\nStarbi looked at William with his ordinary smile.\n\"Got it, thanks William! I'll do my best to be careful with it, I promise!!\" \nThe Starborn assured with ease, Joyful Aura returning to loom over the lobby. He was happy to see that William trusted him enough to give him a weapon.\n\n \nStarbi then turned his head to see Athena speaking. When she mentioned \"Mr. Health Inspector\" In a different tone, Starbi glanced at Thomas for a moment. Starbi formed a small smile on his face as he gestured a small wave at him. Starbi then turned to Athena proposing people split up; with Starbi, Athena and William as a group of three.\n\"Yeah! I'd be fine with that!!\" Starbi agreed without a doubt, with the sound of something moving in the background to which Starbi glanced to see Shiro pushing the bookshelf as what the man on the recording mentioned. He then turned his head Athena mentioning something to discuss with William and Starbi. Starbi figured it was what Athena mentioned earlier, he didn't have a problem with it. \n\n\"That's okay! I'm down with- hm?\" Starbi's words then got cut off as he turned his head to the sound of Shiro pulling down the lever, Starbi's feeling of familiarity from before returning before it quickly disappeared as Starbi turned his head to hear Athena speak to Shiro, advising him to be careful.\n\"Don't worry Athena! I'm sure things are gonna be fine!\" Starbi assured without a doubt with his cheerful smile, he was sure that Shiro knew what he was doing." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "The white-haired woman, despite her characteristic caprice, held her peace as conversation was exchanged. She clasped her opposite arm's elbow with one hand, stretching both, all-the-while stepping toward the center of the lobby with a light gait and closed eyes. As she cracked her knuckles, a slight grin emerged on her face, swaying in a single motion as she thinly opened her eyes, glaring with a small, amused exhale as Athena voiced her mind — putting down the so-called \"Health inspector\" And calling the tall guy a fool in a single stroke; how Classy! — before quickly retreating back to her motions, stretching both arms behind her back, the tight fibers of her uncannily-dense musculature giving a quiet, but audible groan in doing so. Each turn in the conversation came with a subtle perking of her head — heard, understood clearly, and duly noted or disregarded — and yet she continued stretching, untroubled; lackadaisical.\n\n```fix\n\"Counter-offer!\"```\n\nArlet, still in the process of rolling her neck, spoke up without letting a tempo pass following Athena's statement. Her left hand lingered on her own neck as she cracked it, her eyes opening, aglow and sharp with the chill-blue mana of her soul, glaring up at an angle around at the group as she lifted her index, pointed up at her side.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"Groups and their head should be decided by 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩,\" She suggested, one hand on her hip and the other motioning at her side.\n\"The weaker of you... 𝘮𝘮,\" She tilted her head back, scanning across each of them, as though slightly condescending, \"Would be better alongside the more capable.\"```\n\nHer intuition honed, sharply. What animalistic instincts buried deep within her physiology surfaced — her pupils shrinking to a dot — as she physiologically sounded out the bloodlust innate within each member of the group.\n\n```fix\n\"Incidentally, that would put me and the 'health inspector' at the head of our flocks!\"```\n\nArlet breathed a laugh as she closed her eyes, shrugging lightly.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"Any objections?\"```\n\n_ _\nHer eyes then immediately opened, her laughing ceased, and her glare sharpened as she starkly sharpened her tone, all without sacrificing the small smile on her face." }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "By the time that Mr Brandt had gotten around to forming his rebuttal, Alexis had already stopped caring, her attention focused on the recording and so it fell on deaf ears, not that it was a very clever response.\n\nThe revelation that the rooms upstairs had turned up completely normal and empty when only days earlier the police had discovered multiple maimed and dismembered bodies sealed within the walls only gave more evidence to her theory of an illusion, the lever behind the bookshelf then would likely be connected to it in someway, possibly pulling it would reveal the truth.\n\nSome sort of danger was lying within 2 of the 3 rooms, likely it was related to the highly unusual deaths, perhaps it was the cause or was trying to stop them from uncovering the truth, it was evident now more than ever that there was a conspiracy centred around this inn and the murders that had occurred within, but with little evidence it was hard to point fingers.\n\nShe would listen to the rest of the conversation with little enthusiasm or input of her own, most of the people here seemed more concerned with their own personal relations than actually solving the case, at least until Arlet spoke.\n\n``` \"Any objections?\"```\nIn a completely uncharacteristic display of emotion and energy, Alexis let out a compulsive snort at the line, followed by a hearty laugh which went on for about 10 seconds before slowly petering off into a chuckle.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"That is just- wow- that's rich\" \n```\nShe gave another short snicker and a slow clap with an uncharacteristic grin.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"Honestly, thank you, I havn't laughed that hard in months\" \n```\nHer expression slowly fell into its usual scowl, as she leant back against the desk, placing her hands back into her pockets.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"If we are going by strength there is no way in hell you're in charge, by my calculations you're what the, third? Strongest person in this room at most. I know for a fact that I'm stronger than you, and as for Mr 'no soul' in the corner, I'm willing to place bets.\"\n```\nShe lazily brushed her hand in the vague direction of Brandt as she said 'no soul' indicating who she was referring to." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Right. He had at times not seen to take leave of his quickness to action. If anything was to happen by pulling that lever though, he surmised he'd be the best off as he held in him a well of strength that none near likely had yet to take of note.\n\nYet still, it was in his interest to remain cordial and fair, things he at times too struggled with, and so to Athena, he replied:\n\n\n```\n\"My sincere apologies, detective, and the rest of you. If I may though, were something to happen to me by the actions I just took, it would not be a most grievous error against what may have befallen the rest of our company. In any case, the lever has been pulled and nothing will change that.\n\nBe that as it may, as a show of good will, I shall follow instead of lead, this time.\"\n\n\n\n```\n\n\nAt the comments behind them, uttered by a claimed \"Inspector of health\" Who himself did not seem to care that much about it, he spoke with a touch more anger regarding especially his crude commentary.\n\n```\n\"As for you, \"Health inspector\", keep your foul mouth shut save for to relay its usefulness, else begone. Your pleasantries are better spent on tolerant company.\"\n\n\n```\n\n\nAt Arlet, though he was still cautious of her due to her airs around them, as well as the implicit pretentiousness of her statement of their group ranking, he simply nodded and said a \"Very well\", his statement of not leading still holding its integrity.\n\nAs Alexis laughed off the woman and her attempts at trying to spearhead the company, Shiro, perhaps against himself, did not think to say anything to break the tension, and instead he would wait for them to get a move on." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Placing his hand onto the desk he observes Alexis and Arlet arguing about who's strongest and the rash actions of Shiro by pulling the lever prematurely before any plan could be made, an expression of annoyance can be seen on his face. None of these dumbasses know what they're doing. Athena wants a plan, but those two are arguing about who should lead. That Shiro guy pulled the lever before we could make a proper plan, and Starbi clearly isn't comfortable with the gun, too. They were shaking... Damnit why do I care. \"His thoughts echoed in his mind and, without knowing a smell of sulfur, began to fill the air surrounding William... \"Can you all shut up? It doesn't matter who's the strongest or the best option for this case. We're here, so we do our job.\" He says in an annoyed tone the smell of sulfur becoming stronger and a faint heat grow on the palm that is placed on the desk, he continues speaking, \"Jesus not even McMasters-\" He abruptly stops and flame burst from his hand burning the wood on the desk. He quickly pulls his hand away, and the fire dies down only being left with a charred spot...\"Starbi, Athena. I'll be upstairs.\" He says in a dead tone clearly something else on his mind. His right hand reaches down and grips the six shooter on his hip and pulls out of the leather holster. He makes his way upstairs with his gun in hand." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "As the arrogant inspector sat there laxly, legs fixed against the small, brown table, having downed yet another swig from his flask, and lowering it only slightly from his face once swallowed, he gradually studied those around him in the midst of their fuss. Tom made mental note of the recording, but of course, he wasn't one to cower or pity at the sounds of brutality, nor to abandon skepticism. It's a fairly normal thing for him to hear, which also appears to be the case for a few others here based on their reactions, or lack thereof, rather. Did that chick even bother to hear the thing? She seemed more fixed on her strange little proposition— that'll be revisited shortly. Whole room seemingly had their panties in a bunch, and they hadn't even got anywhere yet. That does not inspire confidence, not that he had any to begin with. All He* Wanted to do was look at some boobs.\n\nWhen Athena approached Tom, he. . . Could not take her words seriously, even if he tried, staring at her blankly. To him, her attempts at insults in \"Look stupid\" And \"Look ugly\" Back to back was horrifically embarrassing— not even he, between his own array of childlike remarks, would utter something like that. He'd add more to it. ``\"Ugly and stupid. I gotta know, which one is it? If it's both, I'd have to consider that an accomplishment.\"`` He shrugged, disregarding her command to leave. It was interesting to him that she was vocal about her suspicions regarding the recording, as was her anger at Shrio for pulling the lever prematurely, something nobody else did.\n\n_ _\nTom also noted William's interactions with the shaken Starbi and Athena. Evidently, they knew each other based on Athena's insistence to work with them and how they spoke to one another. Perhaps a little detective squadron, solving cases like superhero's save the day, Batman and Robin-esque, plus a lady for feminism. How terribly useless. He found the concept trivial, but their interactions seemed to reveal things. The abomination had tried to wave at him, and he ignored them flat out. This was unrelated, but he Just Began to notice the oddness of the air within the Inn itself, and how it slightly depleted movement. Because of his abnormal composition, he had temporarily resistance the affects, and still hardly noticed them when active on his body— the moment he swapped the cap of his flask to his unoccupied hand, however, he realized it; hadn't he been someone with a means of identifying attention to detail, it would've went over his head.\n\nThen, returning to the source of disharmony comes Arlet, who for some reason insisted that groups have leaders decided off her unsaid definition of 'strength', and that she alongside himself were primary candidates. There was something off about woman, her very nature— the way she smiles and shrugs felt, to him, almost synthetic, or perhaps. . . Tilted, certainly less concerned with the recording then others. Her body language was contradictory, pupils dilated, and as for her counter-off presumably to Athena, of which the ovulating 20/20/20 visioned woman belly laughed in response to the notion, he wasn't very interested in what it entailed. People are responsible for themselves. The weak may or may not live, the strong may or may not die. It's not a game of absolutes— incidentally, being referred to as 'no soul' was nearly as comically bad as being called stupid and ugly. She gotta's be halfway through her cycle, no?\n\n_ _\n``\"No. Leadership is an excuse to absorb uneccesary blame for people who aren't as good as you. You'll give triclops period cramps talking like that.\"`` Tom spoke directly to Arlet in what was, at first, a statement unburdened by the weight of sarcasm, unwilling to be responsible for others who came here by their own wits, as he motioned his flask towards them simultaneously. Groups are by committee, even if the committee consists of Idiots— and he'd made up his mind on this subject. He didn't care for Alexis's bet proclamation.\n\nMoving on, Shiro had pulled the lever behind the bookshelf, and then made some responding comments in that awfully Shakespearian slang of his, to which Tom could not help but point out, yet again ignoring general demands for his silence and/or to leave promptly in the process, as his serpent-like eye kept track of William heading upstairs in anger. Cowboy's mad, and he was right. ``\"Christ, what are you, Macbeth? Gonna write me a eulogy?—\"``" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "When Shiro pulled the lever, it took several moments for anything to change, thus allowing the group to entangle themselves in the web of their turbulent interaction. However, after nearly thirty seconds, the faint, yet noticeable sound of metal Wiring Was present. It didn't take long for it to become more prevalent to the ears, increasing its volume by the seconds— and not too surprisingly, the noise seemed to descend from upstairs near the doors specifically mentioned in the voice recording. There wasn't a place to look as to identify where the actual metal was, though, and the doors had somehow closed on themselves in silence. Considering the nature of this debacle was magically inclined as far as everyone knew, the involvement of such presumed material seemed strange.\n\nBefore long, mid-way through yet another one of Brandt's inappropriate comments, that mechanical, machine-like wiring sound came top a sudden stop— only to subsequently causing an incredibly Loud Slamming of the three doors, 1-A, B, and C, against the upstairs wall of the Inn, reopening suddenly. The impact was strong enough to knock several object over from downstairs, if not causing those standing to stumble or even fall over depending on their constitution— William made the unfortunate choice of heading upstairs at the worst time, putting himself at risk of falling down the steps entirely— but within the doorways revealed a commonality; in each path seated next to each, with the middle door, 1-B, as it should've been, had cobblestone stairs leading downward into darkness. Simple, yet they had in short order Completely Replaced the rooms that were once behind the doors. To make matters worse, mere moments after the grinding metal halted, the light in the room, Including The fireplace that was not electricity based, strangely went out. The power was gone, leaving the room in black with a severe lack of light from the outside world in spite of windows surrounding them. The recording did not cover this information, but was right no less about the doors.\n\nWhat was more was that the Entrance To the Inn, the front, had Also Shut at the same time as the three doors above, as if to suggest they had to move forward, albeit not nearly slamming with the same force as those upstairs. It appears the time was now for them to get a move on, lest they had things to settle amongst themselves. The instructions as before started 1-B was the proper path, and that 1-A and 1-C would lead them to somewhere unideal, if not their dooms based on elementary inference. The rest of the room doors upstairs remained barricaded as they were before. There was, seemingly, only one way place to go from here." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would react to Arlet's and Alexis's comments by scoffing then saying in a calm tone:\n\n```\n\"Children, Calm down there's no need to bicker about who the strongest is and who should lead. Besides i was going for my idea purely because i have matters to attend to with William and Starbi, and we would more likely catch back up since its a single room we are going to.\"\n```\n\nShe then looks to Shiro saying in the same tone as before:\n\n```\n\"Apology accepted, like i said just be more careful\"\n```\n\nShe then hears William tell them all to shut up and say something about Mcmasters...\n\n```\nSo he does know something about it... He seems upset by it though, bringing it up may not be a good idea. I should follow him to make sure he is okay.\n```\n\nShe thought to herself, worried about him. Before she could head up to go see William, She hears Tom's response to her.\n\n```\nYou are both and how about we add incompetent, utterly useless and an egotistical bastard, Shall we?... Also would you want a reward for being such a fucking prick, I'm sure we can arrange a ceremony after the job is complete. Also I don't take lightly towards insults made to my friends, so Keep those insults to yourself or i'll shut you up personally.\n```\n\nShe says in a still calm but now also angry tone, Saying the last sentence with a bit a sarcasm laced in it. All while she glares daggers at him. Not minding the mechanical sounds. When the door shuts and all the lights disappear. She pulls out her phone, turning it on and enabling the flashlight, First seeing the door being closed.\n\n```\n\"Damn it, looks like we are stuck here. At least i brought my phone this time... Speaking of which.\"\n```\n\nShe says in a calm tone, the sarcasm completely gone and the anger reduced a bit. She then looks around and seeing Starbi, walks towards him.\n\n```\n\"Hey Starbi, we should have each others numbers since we are friends and all, plus if anything happens you have another person you can call. Plus I really dont trust any of these guys, especially the Supposed Health Inspector. Also after this, we should go check up on William right after this, so lets make it quick.\"\n```\n\nShe says in a quite tone in hopes only Starbi could hear as she pulls up her contacts list, preparing to add Starbi to the list, Noticing she also doesn't have service.\n\n```\nShit... Welp, there goes me calling Dioscuri if i need info on something... Oh well, I'm sure we will manage.\n```\n\nShe thinks to herself, before returning her attention to Starbi, Saying in a tone that sounds a little guilty, but caring at the same time:\n\n```\n\"Actually, Wanna also help with something while i check up on William. Ya know get more work done?\"\n```\n-\n```\nIf William has a mental breakdown, It can get ugly, and well I don't want Starbi to have to witness that but that also means not checking up on him instantly, i should think of something for Starbi to do while i check up on him... I could have him attempt to call Dioscuri.\n```\n\nShe thinks to herself\n-" }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "This whole situation was ridiculous, every moment she spent in the company of these people was driving her mad, maybe that was the real conspiracy, someone had perfectly orchestrated that all these people would be in this one building so that they would all drive one another insane.\nHow desperately she wished that she was working with other members of The Society right now, professional, efficient, bearable. She wasn't entirely without blame, she lost her cool, Arlet's words struck a very particular chord, it made her think of her time in the Académie, always being talked down to by her \"Superiors\", at least they reached their positions through time and experience rather than a self absorbed sense of superiority.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"There wont be any 'leaders' because we are not children and we are not affiliated with one another, you look after yourself and I'll look after mine\" \n```\nJust then the lights went out, to Alexis this was only a slight inconvenience, her third eye could see beyond the typical level of visual light, allowing her a form of night vision, though it would still be no substitute for real light, it would do.\nWithout another word or care for what the others would rebut, she stood up straight and departed from the lobby, making her way upstairs, according to the recording the middle door was the one to take, however it all seemed a bit too convenient for her liking, they found the recording just sitting out in the open in a room the police had already swept, it had been planted there likely after the initial investigation, perhaps even by the police themselves, if the man in the recording had died he could not have planted it himself, and they had no reason to believe his words in the first place, whatever action they took next would be a complete shot in the dark, figuratively and literally.\nShe swept the room with her true sight one last time to see if there was anything they had missed, invisible to the naked eye, taking particular time and c\n\nAre with the 3 doors that had magically shifted and altered after the lever had been pulled." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Ignoring Brandt's remarks, Shiro listened intently as the sound of metal wiring filled the air before abruptly stopping, leading to a loud slam and resulting shockwave of sorts to emanate outwards.\n\nThe lights at last, went out, even ones that relied on their own power rather than that of the inn.\n\nA slam too came from the front. This was most certainly a trap now, that much was assured, but that is why they had come, was it not?\n\nA flame flickered in his palm to help illuminate the way forward, he'd wait, as he said, for them to proceed." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's head then turned to Artlet's voice, Artlet proposing a sort of proposal when it came to the investigation. As she spoke, Starbi remembered Artlet wishing him specifically good luck before she had left upstairs a while ago. That memory was then drowned out by the faint sound of a Vocaloid song in the back of his mind. Artlet brought up the idea of groups having leaders that would be decided by one's strength, Starbi thought about it for a moment. Before he spoke;\n \n \"Yeah!\" Starbi chimed with a smile, Joyful Aura's effectiveness suddenly increasing vastly for a short moment, intruding in the tense atmosphere. \"I think it's a great idea! I don't see why not.\" Starbi added, agreeing with Artlet with a smile. Starbi thought it made sense. So a sort of order may be needed for the investigation! While Artlet spoke, he thought that Dioscuri would have been a great candidate without a doubt, but he wasn't here. Starbi believed Artlet to be a good candidate to lead a group given her impression, however didn't think that Tom would be another candidate, however, he didn't know what he was capable of. With his friends, William and Athena, Starbi didn't know who to put as the leader. However, he wondered if he could've been considered a leader if he was the same before he made it to Unity, but even so, he would probably give the role of leader to someone else.\n\n Starbi's ears then picked up the snort which followed the sound of laughter of someone in the room, turning to Alexis who seemed to have been laughing. Starbi's initial smile turned into a slightly confused expression, seemingly against the idea Artlet brought up, or maybe more so against the idea of Artlet and Thomas being the strongest. It was then that Starbi took notice of the sounds of metal wiring in the background, not exactly focused on the tense dialogue at hand or William leaving before Starbi jolted at the sound of the door to the lobby shutting, as everything suddenly went pitch black.\n\nWhile knowing that he was still in the lobby, it felt a bit more tense, as if now something was looming in the void of darkness that engulfed the group. Everything felt slightly less tense as the room was weakly illuminated by Shiro's flame and Athena's phone light. Starbi just stood there, not necessarily thinking much, just drawing a blank as he then turned his head to Athena approaching him;\n ```\" Hey Starbi, we should have each other's numbers since we are friends and all. Plus, if anything happens you have another person you can call.\"``` \nStarbi's neutral expression turned to one of a signature smile of his, mainly due to him, hearing Athena refer to the two as friends. It made him happy to know for sure that they were friends.\n\n \"Oh, yeah of course!\" Starbi spoke out loud in contrast to Athena's whispering, beaming with a smile on his face, it almost felt like his smile was enough to cast another form of light source in the darkness.\n Starbi then took out his phone accompanied by a yellow case, it consisted of colorful stickers, and a colorful keychain of a moon and a shark by the top right corner of his phone. The phone had an extra button at the top right corner of Starbi's phone which was slightly under the connecting piece of the keychain and his phone. Starbi quickly accessed through his phone, humming a song to himself as he first switched on his phone torch, and next to the contacts app of his phone.\n\n Starbi lifted his head to see Athena seemingly changing her mind, a confused expression forming on Starbi's face. She offered that Starbi would instead do something while Athena go to check up on William.\n \"Uh..\" Starbi looked over in the direction of where the stairs would've been.\n \"Yeah, sure! I'll stay here and maybe talk with some of the people here! \" Starbi spoke, turning his head to Athena with a nod, a smile returning on his face, it was probably for the best." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "```fix\n\"Hmmm...\"```\n\n`It wouldn't be very hard, would it?`\n\nArlet's chin rested on the back of her hand as she tilted her head, her eyes lightly glossing over the group set out before her. As Alexis' laughter continued, Arlet mentally counted the number of steps between the two — without moving, she felt out the distance stretched before her, the gap and its totality captured within her spatial awareness.\n\n`Mmm, not worth it.`\n\nHer head tilted back.\n\n`...Not yet, at least.`\n\nHer grin returning, Arlet would spare not a word to the group as they continued on after her proposition. Disinterested in wasting her breath on a futile endeavor, she simply lowered her arm to her hip with her eyes closed and her mana softened from its earlier, frigid intensity. Yet her senses did not dull in the slightest; her ears were still open and advertent, her nose keen to divide between the fetid stench of the inn and those within it, and her tactility ever-agitated by the subtle reverberations she felt echoing through the floor beneath her. Yet more than all these things, what was impressed upon her senses-so-greatly-sharpened, was that continuing sensation of Weakening — like the light of hers and of all those around her slowly dwindling away — and the familiar, uncomfortable significance that it suggested.\n_ _\n\nIt felt like something was gnawing at her core.\nHer smile fades.\n\n```fix\n\"Fine, fine,\" She spoke up as members began to leave the room, shrugging dismissively as she let out a small puff of air.\n\"Have it your own way.\"\n\"But none of you get what I mean⸺\"```\n\nArlet took a step forward, interrupting herself as she shifted stances preemptively; an instinctive and immediately response to the sound of wires, shifting and furling taut around her. The slamming then following, the room growing dark, and the stark rumbling of the room were only natural to follow, and thus Arlet's widened stance became quite justified as she wholly resisted its shifting effects on her body, firm and upright by way of her reaction and physiology.\n\n```fix\n\"⸺Ha...\"\n\"Case in point.\"```\n\nShe laughed shortly, her eyes shifting invisibly through the darkness. \n\n```fix\n\"Like I was saying:\"\n\"Right now, being a 'head' isn't about leadership.\"\n\"More directly...\"```\n\nThe sound of their breathing, the scent of their sweat, and the faint glimmers of their eyes as they reflected dim light in the darkness: these things the warrior tracked with as much care as she did the sound of grinding metal, and the persisting echo of past motion beneath her feet — the type of reverberation she had grown so accustomed to sensing. Even before Shiro's fire relit the room, Arlet quickly reclaimed her orientation in the darkness, as well as the relative positions of the other detectives within it.\n\n```fix\n\"...It means ensuring the lesser don't die.\"```\n\n`Simple pack tactics,` She thought, releasing a chilled exhale. `Right now, strength is...`\n`...Numbers?`\n\n...No, that wasn't right. Was it? \n\n`...In the face of a mystery, what exactly is \"Strength\"?`\n`To boil it down to something so simple⸺` Her eyes flickered up the stairs. `⸺lacks the proper nuance to call it a real \"Understanding\",` She thought, imperceptibly perplexed. \n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"Go as you please!\" ——she announced, cutting through the tension of both her thoughts and former statement with a single, breezy statement.\n\"And die as you please.\" ——she said in a likewise manner, though whispered, following with slowed steps up the stairs.```\n\n`Numbers are definitely a form of strength. One of the strengths at my disposal.`\n`If they run along, I lose this form of strength. If they die beyond my supervision, I'll also probably learn nothing...`\n\nShe folded her arms behind her head, lackadaisical in demeanor as she ascended, though persistently and wholly aware of her surroundings in each passing step. Her unconscious instinct against danger and subconscious caution as a warrior worked greatly to preserve her as she maintained her veneer of carelessness.\n\n`...But, do I really need them?`\n\nArlet rolled her eyes.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"Come up.\"```\n\n_ _\nShe stared over her shoulder, motioning to the starborn. Her eyes remained upon him fixed, though she continued similarly to motion to Shiro — whom she had assumed was waiting for a cue to continue — and Athena to do likewise." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Walking up the stairs with pistol in hand, everything began to remind William of a failed mission back in 1916. A memory of war, a memory of pain, and death were echos in his mind He was half way up the stairs when the mechanical wiring sound came and slamming came, taking him by surprise he stumbled down the stairs by two steps and stood there with his back pressed against the wall and pistol aimed towards the top of the stairs. The mechanical wiring sounded like a machine gun fire to him with the slamming of doors and turning off of lights reminding him of bombs in the night air. His breathing grew heavy, and his left hand began to shake. His body grew tense, and the smell of sulfur became ever so present around him. That was when he overheard Alexis speak saying, \"There won't be any 'leaders' because we are not children\" Being followed by Arlet saying \"It means ensuring the lesser don't die\" All of this made William grow more agitated by the company he found himself in. He controlled his breathing and lowered his pistol, turning his attention to Arlet and Alexis he spoke, \"Being a leader isn't about ensuring the lesser die. We fight as one or die alone, and when the people under your command die by your orders, it's a kind of scar you never wish to carry. Believe me when I say that it'll haunt you for the rest of your lives. Whether you like it or not, by the look of that door, we're all here together in the same situation, so quit acting like this is one of those picture shows because it's not. There are consequences, so quit acting like there isn't.\" His voice being carried with anger and agitation.\n\nNone of these people know what they're doing. That so-called health inspector definitely knows more than they lead on. That woman who went up stairs with Athena has her own plans, and this lady can't work in a simple team when it's needed. I can only count on Athena, starbi is yet unsure and that Shiro guy is too rash and quick to act without properly thinking. His thoughts echoed in his head, but william knew he wasn't fit for this job either. These nightmares are getting worse, after this I need a drink. He thought to himself as he used his fire magic once again to light the way back up the stairs still keeping his gun trained at the top.\n\nIf one had a keen eye they could notice that William still had his left hand tensed and shaking, a clear memory of war still lingering on his mind" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "Tom himself was least subject to the rumblings and shakings of the room due to simple virtue of being seated, nor would he react strongly enough to not mentally document what the sound of mechanisms and closed doors indicated— alongside a few interesting implications based on the reactions and mannerisms of others in the group following the triggered sequence— but most unfortunately, he lost grip on the flask bottle in his right hand, having been focused on other, generally more important element. It fell and spilled all over his affluent yellow dress shirt, leaving a moderate smudge of Bourbon on his torso, before releasing a good chunk of the remaining liquid onto the floor. It wasn't that he couldn't react in time to prevent this, but he was distracted, not to mention the peculiar weight of the room and its affect on his body's own sensation.\n\n``\". . .Oh, great.\"`` He muttered to himself, scoffing and making an irritated glare through the darkness. Tom does not buy his own clothes, nor does he care so greatly about keeping it in pristine condition— however, he Despises The feeling of wet clothes on his body, and the person who bought this for him, as she does all his clothes, would certainly annoy him about it, especially because it was brand new, apparently purchased for this mundane occasion specifically. There was also the issue that he had very little booze left based on his flask laid out on the floor, like a murder victim. To him, there was no more exceptional tragedy then spilled mead, and he even managed to hold onto its cap, yet not its body. A profound loss, indeed. He almost contemplated having a funeral for it then and there.\n\n_ _\nThomas was unequivocally vexed by this as opposed to being outwardly bothered by the actions or words of anyone else here. He'd argue he was being remarkably patient with their incompetence, useless intuition and pointless suggestions that purely served to waste time— in any case, the moment was now. Back to the attention of others, William and Alexis had made their ways upstairs— the former had stumbled a bit— ready to get moving. Starbi and Athena would probably group up in their little Musketeer assembly, and Arlet intends to do who knows what. Something about that one. . . It inclined him to provide a response. ``\". . .Little spoiler, everyone dies. The lesser die faster, or learn to adapt. Something called the life cycle, which I'm guessing you didn't learn about in elementary school.\"`` This was his reply, with parts of his tonally nasty sentence stopping and finishing between him trying to rub and pull his wet dress shirt in an attempt to dry it off. And now she's ordering them around.\n\n'Ensuring the lesser don't die'. What a bunch of crap. Lesser people die because they Exactly That, lesser. Alexis, much as she was an incredulously bitchy detriment, was correct in her assessment, and William was about half-right hadn't he tied it together with some sentimental B.S. About the horrific scars of leadership. He's gotta be a cosplayer, or something. Also, no power, no cell service, though that wasn't to suggest that phones couldn't be useful at all— a flashlight, for example. Of course, a few of them had their own methods of illumination, and that included the health inspector himself, but he'd leave that for the passing moment. He found it comical that Shrio was just standing there after being the one to idiotically pull the lever without thinking. Incidentally, if there was anything Tom would stoop as low as to pray in regards to, it would be for Starbi to not say words anymore. Ever.\n\n``\"Assuming you all understand what the word 'caution' means, I'd use that.\"`` He said this aloud, directing it to the group as he finally stood himself up from the chair, removing his crossed legs from the table. He took a small step over to his coat left on the magazine-less table, not bothering to pick up his emptied out flask, and his hands explored its pockets, trying to gauge his arsenal for this affair within the darkness. The cowboy Was Right about one thing in particular,; he Does Know more." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "Alexis would find little to scout and deduce in yet another magically powered analysis of the room, her intuition proving to be seemingly useless as far as providing conclusive reasoning for her suspicion. All that was left was three doors, and a specific set of instructions to enter one of them. It wasn't an immensely complicated process, yet it was one that had left out key details, such as the power shutting off, or the nature of the room and its mechanical shifting— albeit one could argue it was due to his looming demise, or whatever it was that happened before the recording stopped. William wouldn't have any more trouble as the rumbling had completely faded, and the rest were free to do as they pleased. \n\nAttempting to contact outside sources would be futile, as no electricity meant no service— it seemed to be a long time coming given that the owners were dead, nor did the daughter provide a sensible explanation— and cell data wasn't an option, either. A detriment in these modern times, but everyone here was forced to rely on either each other, or themselves. A few of them had personal methods of illumination, but any attempt to use it on the doors themselves, the staircases that lead into darkness would be futile, revealing virtually nothing about what was deeper inside. It'd literally be walking blindly into pits of a place where four had been confirmed dead, and a large group of people had gone missing. Not a good omen, in other words, but did they have another choice? Were the barricaded rooms Really Still the same?\n\nNothing seemed to be missing nor out of place as far as the eye could tell. Something new Did Happen, however; suddenly, and following another faint sequence of mechanical wiring not unsimilar to what they heard before, sounded the ticking of what was a clock. The room was pitch black, but using their light sources would reveal a maroon, still forming antique-like clock, using roman numerals instead of numbers as to show its datedness, displaying the accurate time of 9:04PM— about 30 minutes had passed since they'd went inside. What was odd was that it was, by no accounts, present Prior To the previous search, and it seemed strange that it would suddenly appear several moments after the lever was pulled. It was almost as if it was a Literal Reminder to the group that the clock was, in fact, ticking on what was at stake, but that seemed all too convenient, akin to how other things did in respect to Alexis's earlier thought process. Perhaps it was also a metaphysical statement that half an hour had passed, and they were still in the same room, arguing about nothing.\n\nThe wiring stopped shortly after the clock had fully formed. Again, the use of Metal, not magics— that could explain, for example, the lack of extensive magical detection earlier. Yet, the reasoning was unapparent, and frankly, there was only way to find that out, unless, of course, they had anything else to look into, or wanted to stay behind. Nobody could leave, but they could surely remain in the lobby, right? There was no identifiable risk associated with that based on what they knew." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "As the others advanced, so too did Shiro, following shortly thereafter William.\n\nHe would not follow Arlet. He found that people this overconfident, boasting about things they actually know nothing about, tend to make poor \"Heads\", to use her wording. He'd follow the people who were careful. William's words about leadership seemed not only wise, but... Experienced. If there was anyone Shiro would follow or who he'd back, it would be the two detectives.\n\nNoticing William's left hand shaking, Shiro commented gently.\n\n```\n\"Detective Rojas, you have a hold of yourself there? You appear troubled. If you are afraid, I assure you, I will do my utmost to ensure that nothing bad befalls any of us. Save those that think themselves the betters of their flock. Lead the way, if you'd please.\" \n\n```\n\n\nThat last comment was pointedly at Arlet, though his gaze didn't fall from William, as he spoke to the detective once more.\n\n```\n\"As for those earlier words of yours pertaining to leadership. Very wise by the way.\" \n\n```\n\n\nHe heard the clock, but did not think it abnormal, probably part of the place." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi looked down to the side, as darkness on the floor that hadn't been graced with the sources of light by those here, thinking for a moment regarding the situation as he focused on something. He felt like he had forgotten something, he wondered what he had forgotten, but couldn't figure out what exactly. It felt like it was something a few minutes ago, it felt so close yet so far. \n\nStarbi's eyes then lit up, he remembered, it was about Shiro, he needed to ask him-\n \n```\"Go as you please!\"```\n Starbi turned to the announcement of Artlet's voice.\n\n``` \"And die as you please.\"```\nArtlet spoke, seemingly making a sort of exit toward the stairs to which William had tumbled down earlier, the looming tension cut through, causing an effect of calm erasing the looming tension.\nStarbi tilted his head out of curiosity as he focused his eyes on her, as well as remembering the words she gave to him before the lights went out.\n\n```\"Come up.\"```\nStarbi noticed her stare, her gesture giving the impression that she was insisting some of the people here, including Starbi, follow her up the stairs.\n\nStarbi stared at her, but then looked around to the others, from the spot William was when he fell, then to Shiro with a blank, calm stare for a good three seconds, thinking about something for a moment, he wondered for a moment. Starbi then turned to him; \n\"By the way,\" Starbi spoke,\n\"I need to talk to you about something later. I'll see if I can talk to you once I'm done with her upstairs. I hope I can talk with you soon!\" Starbi spoke to Shiro, his words following along with a smile, Joyful Aura looming over for a strong 5 seconds. As Starbi turned over to Artlet with an optimistic smile, he then thought about William for a moment. Before he then began walking towards her without a doubt, if anything, one could say Starbi went with the idea of Artlet being a leader of the group, he wasn't against it initially, and it might even make her smile." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "The white-haired woman had already returned to her lackadaisical veneer. Her hands remained folded behind her head as she tapped lightly up the steps, and likewise landing with such a silence and springiness that she seemed as weightless as her countenance might suggest. As each of the group's statements brought about a succession of others, all as equally as fruitless as the first made, Arlet had determined that the conversation was worth less than the breath that would be spent on it, redoubling her initial judgment. To cling to what strengths could be found in the presence of others would be futile — or so it seemed, especially if they continued at this level of dissonance with one-another.\n\n`What a pain in the ass.`\n\nArlet's eyes were closed as she climbed the stairs with such speed that defied her appearance of inurgency. Each step she took was somewhat lazy, and so too was her gaze — listless, her eyes almost closed — and yet she found herself at the top of the stairwell within seconds, each bound of her foot enough to carry her up two or more steps. There she came upon the form of the three main doorways, 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C, as well as all the barricaded encompassing, including 1-D — good, it was still unbarricaded, and its contents seemed... The same, from what she could tell.\n_ _\n\nShe would allow the group a moment to settle in, to arrive, and to gather round, looking upon each of the impromptu-detectives and their reactions, attempting through sight and understanding to surmise what they, perhaps, were thinking. Arlet had already come upon the idea that some of them were more attentive than they appeared, and thus attributed some small amount of weight to what they said and how they reacted.\n\n```fix\n\"Mm... Hmmm!\"```\n\n...But no more weight than necessary. She tilted her head, placing a hand to her chin, and nodded, grinning to herself as she hummed; all lackadaisical, and all as though she was merely acting on some amusing thought that then came to mind. It seemed she had completely put aside the notion of taking the matter seriously alongside her attempts to ensure the group did not break into fragments lacking constitutions properly balanced-by-strength. \n\nIn a quick successive motion, the woman stepped intently round-and-beside Starbi, patting him once on the back before pointing toward the set of the doors, leaned in slightly such that she was at even head-level with the starborn.\n\n```fix\n\"Here's an idea.\"\n\"Why don't we descend there, and,\" She said, motioning toward 1-A, \"See what happens if we go where we're not supposed to?\"\n\"1-B is the way to go, sure. But why not experiment a little, hmm? You can't say you aren't curious about what happens,\" She grinned widely.\n\"About what 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 to the ones who recorded the message.\"```\n_ _\n\nArlet gave an amused exhale as her pointed finger toward the door 1-A became an outstretched hand, all as she still maintained her closeness to Starbi and her hand's contact on his back. Her smile persisted as an air of goading swirled throughout both her eyes and her tone, her stance shifting lightly as she brought herself back upright. She lingered thusly for a moment, silent, staring with her same expression and yet a blank glare, as though waiting, then finally—\n\n```fix\n\"𝘗𝘧𝘧𝘧𝘵.\"```\n\n—she broke that silence with a small laugh, though she was no longer smiling.\n\n```fix\n\"I'm joking! Just 𝘫𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.\"```\n\nThen swiftly she pulled her arm back and away from Starbi, walking beyond him, and immediately striding into the darkness, descending through the stairwell of 1-B, waving over her shoulder without waiting for a moment of further confirmation or even a response to her dubious suggestion. She tucked her hands into her pocket, eyes fixed ahead, as she began her descent." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena knowing full well that there was no service would still say:\n\n```\n\"Starbi, Could you attempt to contact Dioscuri and ask him about magic, and maybe even about the paranormal.\"\n```\n\nThen she would look towards the stairs, seeing everyone start to head up. One by one, she thinks to herself:\n\n```\nwelp, looks like everyone is heading up now...\n```\n\nShe then looks towards Tom, still thinking:\n\n```\n\u001b[2;33hm, as much as i don't want Starbi to see William having a mental breakdown, if he is having one... I also trust Tom the least here. Who knows maybe Starbi can somehow calm William, People almost always seem happy and joyful around him afterall.\n```\n\nShe would then reply to Tom's comment about the life cycle by saying:\n\n```\n\"As to your comment about the life cycle, I'm very aware of what it is, and how everyone dies at some point, no matter who or what they are, living or not..\"\n```\n\nShe then heads towards the stairs, before heading up she looks at Starbi and says\n\n```\n\"Hey Starbi, if you want to, you should come up while you try to contact Dioscuri, We could check up on William while you do that. Also do you need his number?\"\"\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Walking up the stairs, using the light from the fire in his hand to see the steps and the area ahead. He heard Shiro ask if he was okay and that it was alright if he was scared. William stopped and looked back at Shiro, taking a moment to reflect. \"...\" He looked back up the last few steps ahead of him and turned back to Shiro. \"I ain't scared. The last time I was scared was when I killed my first man. I bashed his head open with a branding iron. But that's not what's getting to me... It's just an old memory, that's all. And those words I said about leadership, the only reason I know them is because I had people under my command. They would have followed me to hell and back... And all of them did, but most didn't come back.\" He said with a hint of a somber tone in his voice as he looked back up the stairs and continued on. He cocked the hammer on his revolver back, lifted his pistol, and aimed at the hallway ahead of him, taking point and waiting for the rest to follow behind." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "Wowza, this thing got boring fast. Shiro was practically wiping his mouth off and performing tricks in his sudden attachment to the repetitive, garden variety thousand yard stare performance that William was attempting to pawn on everyone, al a Clint Eastwood. That abominable creation for whatever reason decided that Arlet, the crazy chick spewing verbatim about animalistic tendencies and electing leadership by strength as if human evolution hadn't progressed past Neanderthals and the Stone Age, was the person to follow after. What's more was that strange suggestion Arlet made based in fundamental curiosity— the morbid sort, in all likelihood— only to turn back in an even odder formation and waltz toward 1-B. Athena somehow determined that Tom was speaking to her, and had intention to make a phone call in a place with no cell service. ``\"Glad to confirm you're intellectually on par with a 5th grader.\"`` He sharply responded without returning eye contact, even though she wasn't his initial target. Oh, and Alexis was literally doing nothing as far as he could tell, which. . . Actually, was interesting here, a sudden rarity. She must've had the same notion he had, and he was pretty sure she went up first. Now that's some girl power! Men should suffer and die! For crying outloud. . .\n\n_ _\nRegardless, what was happening around him mostly comprised of nonsensical, once again useless chatter barring anything he identified personally, and thus, Tom focused on putting together his current arsenal. Roughly fishing through his lint-filled coat pockets, he discovered what looked to be his typical loadout, with very little to no adjustments; a 2028 Model 1911 and 3 mags, generous curtsey of those losers at W&F, a taser, baton, cuffs and a small knife. He thought blades were pretty tacky, uneccesary and rarely carried them on his person, but Someone Had asked for one to be included today of all days. Unfortunately, and once again, he knew exactly who. Most of the equipment was stuffed and divided between the pockets of his overcoat— which was unprofessional for operatives to do, and his outwear was typically customed tailored to have multiple fabric compartments in light of his habit of refusing to carry utility mediums. That being said, however, there was a brown, belt-like strap folded on itself within one of said pockets that he could use for that express purpose. Another Alteration, it seems. He wasn't a fan of that, and he furthermore found an expensive, golden watch buried beneath everything else that he was apparently supposed to put on. Whoops.\n\n_ _\nFine. Tom took out the tacky ass belt, unfolding and glared drily at its incompetence, before beginning to seamlessly wrap it around his waist just underneath the yellow, stained dress shirt, despite never having used one, as well as the accompanying darkness of the room, which didn't seem to bother him. He recognized it as an A.I.C. Standard issue, but damn, it was ugly— and uncomfortable, too, undoubtedly being the bigger issue he had with it. How was this remotely practical? Was this was not tested prior to being issued? Tight near the crotch, much. And— wait. What's this? Something else was in here? He had already strapped and attached the bulk of his equipment onto the belt, but when he pulled his pistol out, another item that he didn't notice beforehand fell out, next to his deceased flask that gave him no time to mourn. He holstered his pistol in the appropriate place, swiftly checking its clip to ensure it was loaded moments before that, and then bent down to see what the object was. . .\n\n_ _\n. . .Oh. It's a stain remover bottle. . . Especially designed for alcohol, as it says on the back labeling. How did she. . .? And there was a post-it note hanging off its side, too.\n``\"For those annoying little stains I know you secretly hate! Have fun! Love, Sis.\"``\n\nFuck off. Whatever, anyway— and. . . He'd use it later, but— Anyway, ignoring his incomprehensible frustration at her annoyingly accurate prediction, he was armed, prepared and Dangerous For those who cared to find out. He straightened his posture and turned to face the group as to see what on earth it was they had moronically decided to do. And— . . . What was That? Behind him? Was. . . Oh, that's something. For now, he'll keep quiet." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "At William's clarification, Shiro simply nodded, despite all of his experience he was still terribly bad at any sort of comfort. It was good to know however that William was experienced, he surmised.\n\nAll of this was very turmoil-driven; the arguing, the despair, the very place they were in. \n\nNo matter what though, he was here only to solve this mystery and do his part.\n\nHe would keep following after William until they'd either find something significant or would not." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "As Starbi ascended the stairs to the Inn's first floor, albeit a little slow due to Artlet's trivial pace of steps. Starbi didn't really have much to say while walking up, Starbi looked past Athena at Artlet. As he looked at her, he got an itching curiosity about her. Like Starbi, she also seemed rather upbeat about the situation given her demeanor and behavior up until now. Starbi thought of getting to know more about her, she seemed like an interesting and cheerful individual, to him at least! A smile formed on his face as Joyful Aura's presence remained.\n\nAs Starbi had made it to the first floor of the inn, Starbi took a few steps, looking around. Starbi noticed the doors that had been mentioned by the others along with the man from the speaker, but the Starborn had an idea in mind already. Earlier, Starbi was instructed by Athena to try and contact Endeven, Starbi looked through his phone, a bit unaware of his surroundings, noticing that he had no service here, as expected. So Starbi went into his notes app to try and prepare a message, but then he realised that Starbi didn't have Dioscuri's number. Starbi thought of dialing every number sequentially and finding Dioscuri that way, but it probably would be best for him to ask Athena.\n\nIt was then that Starbi felt the hand of someone lay against his back, as he noticed someone pointing towards the set of doors. As Starbi realized that Artlet was speaking to him;\n\n \n\n``\"Here's an idea.\"`` She proposed.\n``\"Why don't we descend there, and see what happens if we go where we're not supposed to?\"`` Starbi looked at the door to which Artlet was motioning to, which happened to be Door 1-A.\n``\"1-B is the way to go, sure. But why not experiment a little, hmm? You can't say you aren't curious about what happens,\"`` As she spoke, Starbi sensed a form of joy from Artlet.\n``\"About what 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 to the ones who recorded the message.``\n\nSilence was between the two, accompanied by the feeling of joy sensed by Starbi staring at the door that Artlet talked about. Starbi thought for a moment about her proposal. And then responded quickly;\n\"Well, I think it may be a good idea. Before the recording stopped, the guy didn't specify what'll happen. And maybe it may not be as bad as we think, depending on what we can do-\"\nStarbi's words were then interrupted,\n``\"𝘗𝘧𝘧𝘧𝘵. I'm joking! Just 𝘫𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.\"``\n\nArtlet then removed her hand from Starbi's back, as she then descended into Door 1-B. \n\"Oh, heh- nice.\" Starbi spoke in response with the faint sense of compulsion.\nStarbi stared at her descending as he tilted his head, a sense of mystery washing over him when it regarded Artlet. But he took it that she found Starbi entertaining at least. So, he didn't really mind the joke she made. For a moment, Starbi took a glance at Door 1-A, the one Artlet motioned to before, Starbi wondered that it might be an interesting idea for him to choose that door instead, after all, it's possible that it may not be difficult. Before he turned, if there was Athena, he'd ask;\n\"Hey Athena, do you have Dioscuri's number? I think it'd be better than just dialing every number sequentially and finding Dioscuri that way.\"\nStarbi asked, motioning to his phone." }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "Alexis sighed, it seemed all anyone really wanted to do was idly chat, she considered chastising the group for a moment, but decided that wouldn't be very productive, and that there had been enough of that already.\nIn front of her stood 3 paths, and a few likely options.\nThe first; the man in the recording was truthful, in this case the path forward is obvious.\nThe second; he is not, in which case it becomes more complicated.\nPerhaps none of them were trapped, or perhaps they all were, perhaps they all lead to different places or perhaps they lead to the same place, there was no real way to know.\nShe could stand there and contemplate for hours, but that wouldn't get anything done, and seeing as no one else was jumping at the bit to take some initiative she stood up, and without a word to the rest entered the second door.\nThe darkness was trans mundane in nature and it seemed even her True Sight Failed to pierce the veil, not content to traverse the staircase in complete darkness, she lifted from the floor, trailing her hand along the wall for guidance, and began her gradual descent." }, { "author": "dreamstxr", "message": "And she is the moment" }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "Idk what that means" }, { "author": "dreamstxr", "message": "YOU CANNOT SILENCE ME /J" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would blink and when her eyes opened Starbi would be gone\n\n```\n\"Shit, i must be more tired then i thought.\"\n```\nShe said quietly to herself. She would then look to tom.\n\n```\n\"Don't underestimate my intelligence, and seeing as the front door is closed and more likely locked. I would advise coming upstairs and helping with the investigation, ya know do your job. Inspect stuff, if you really are what you claim to be.\"\n```\n\nShe would then grin before continuing her sentence, having the same mischievous glint in her eyes from earlier:\n\n```\n\"Or Unless you are too much of a pussy to\"\n```\n\nWithout waiting for a response She would then turn back towards the stairs heading up, chuckling to herself a bit as she did. As she headed up the stairs, she would hear bits and pieces of conversations and sentences, not enough to piece together any sentences though, not that she was paying much attention, still hung up on being more tired then she originally thought. Upon seeing Starbi, Athena would walk up and say:\n\n```\n\"I should give you Dioscuri's number, cant call him without it afterall...\"\n```\n\nShe then looks around, before looking back at Starbi and saying quietly\n\n```\n\"You are the real one, and not a hallucination of tiredness right?\"\n```\n\nWhile she awaits a response she look towards the three doors.\n\n```\nWe were advised to go through the middle one, though i am curious. Maybe i should experiment.\n```\n\nShe thought to herself. She then puts her hand in her pocket, grabbing her earbud case.\n\n```\nLets see what happens if i throw a inanimate object in, maybe something will happen if not i could possibly test using my incarnation, though it could be riskier.\n...\nNevermind, no time to test. There is a job to be done.\n```\n\nShe thinks to herself. She then takes note of everyone else.\n\n```\nThe absence of Ubersich and Arlet, who more likely started to descend the staircase, William who seems on edge and ready to shoot at anything that comes their way and Shiro who seems intent on just following William around. Hmmm, best to be cautious. Never know what could happen.\n```\n\nThen addressing the group of everyone there\n\n```\n\"Im guessing the other two went and descended down the stairs already?\n...\nWithout caution or some sort of basic plan, like fools with a death wish.\" \n```" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "As Arlet (\n\n*``wwwRRRRKK!—``\nFrom above her, originating from the unending, infinitely wide darkness of the ceiling, a lengthy, silver-colored and thin metallic Claw* Abruptly launched and stuck onto the skin of the white-haired woman, specifically moving past her head and contorting as to grab onto her torso. It subsequently pushed her against the left-side narrow wall of the stairwell with Incredible Suspending force— if it weren't for the fact that Arlet had immense physical durability compared to the average physique, any normally situated human would've probably suffered a few fractured ribs and broken bones at a minimum, albeit bruises were still likely even so. The claw continued to pressure her body against said wall for several not unpainful seconds by applying a firm, unrelenting grip even for its intended target, amplifying a feeling of suffocation— before promptly ascending back up into the darkness that it came from, maintaining its hold on the woman as it lifted her alongside itself at rapid velocity. Just like That She was gone, although wasn't to say she couldn't try and fight back whatsoever.\n\nRest assured, the encounter was far from over. Alexis (\n\n*``cchHKTT!-``\nThis unintentional error effectively spared, at least for a few seconds, Alexis from sharing the same fate as Arlet. Unfortunately for someone Else, there were other factors at play. That modestly sized Clock* That had suddenly mechanically constructed behind them, completely unannounced? It seemed it was also in cohorts with whatever engineered forces that presented themselves within the otherwise modest Inn. The antique timepiece began to. . . Shift, within its relative position onto the wall. As a matter of fact, it was adjusting itself because it was trying to Aim— yes, aim— at something, or rather someone. Once it discovered its target, the clock slowly detached itself from the makings of the humble Inn walls, albeit doing so in a much Quieter Fashion compared to the pair of claws, before Propelling Itself at incredulous speed toward a specific individual.\n\n_ _\nStarbi (\n\nIt was then, almost and plausibly as if this was an organized attack, because the original claw that was previously blocking its counter-part had Finally Made its way all the way up into whatever the ceiling entailed. As Starbi would find themselves within reach of the second claw, the door of 1-B Shut, closing itself off to the rest of the group. Predictably, isolated and alone in darkness, the claw would quickly latch onto Starbi's torso in much similar fashion to Arlet, before entering its own ascent akin to its counter-part with a powerful grip on the Star Born. Alexis, though not grabbed, was also locked into the stairwell. Just like that, Again, but like with Arlet, fighting back wasn't out of the question.\n\n*``ssrrRK. . .``\nFor the group that was left behind, there was more. Apparently, the gun-ho clock did Not* Travel alongside Starbi into 1-B, and had rather fallen flat onto the ground after making contact with their body next to the now shut closed door. Yet of course, it couldn't just let everyone else off the hook, could it? As opposed to become obsolete, the clock entered Another Immediate shift— but this time, it was rather evident that it was. . . Splitting Itself apart, most likely. Between it's wooden frame and moderate center, it'd divide itself into Five Deliberate pieces, separating from one another piece by piece. That itself wasn't an issue, but rather the fact that these individuals pieces began to. . . Grow something at their lengths ends, steadily. More specifically, sharp, pointed Ends At about 35 cms (total measurement) that were certainly enough to pierce through muscle tissue upon contact. Once fully formed— and it didn't take long— these four large pieces of the now deconstructed clock decided to honor the theme of the situation and Rocket Themselves at the four who had been spared the cruelty of 1-B's trap.\n\nWilliam, Shiro, Athena and Tom (" }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Chaos sprang forth.\n\nAs whirring and slams filled the air from around him, Shiro was quick to ready himself, unsheathing his axe.\n\nHopefully the others in the directions those noises came from would be fine in the end, but they had bigger issues to worry about.\n\nAs the blades of the clock flew towards them, Shiro reacted, dodging out of the way at the one aimed for him, and then he would throw a small fireball in the direction of the one aimed for William, hoping to knock it off-course, he couldn't do anything for the others as their pieces probably would have reached them by the time he could have moved to try, but he'd prepare for whatever assault would perhaps come next, if any." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would witness first hand Starbi, getting clocked (pun unintended) in the shoulder, getting knocked into the doorway of 1-B and the door close, blocking her and the rest of the group's way into the stairwell. She would yell in a tone of panic:\n\n```\n\"Starbi!\"\n```\n\nWitnessing the clock fall onto the floor, Athena would stare at it, Examining it and as it breaks apart and one shoots towards her. Just barely in time, she jumps to the side out of the way of the attack. Unsheathing Sasori, ready for combat. Athena decided now was a good time as ever to take lead.\n\n```\n\"Stick together, splitting off could be our downfall. Stay alert and on guard, ready to fight anyone and anything that attempts to attack us. Show no mercy, hollar if something shows up. We cant afford losing any more people, our numbers are as thin as it is. Four of them, Four of Us... If you include tom who doesn't seem to have shown himself, that makes this an even fight.\"\n```\n\nAthena commanded, her voice resonant with authority. Internally, Athena strategized further, considering every advantage they could leverage,\n\n```\nI think I know how to Turn the odds more into our favor, or just evening them depending on if Tom shows or not. I could also use Ensnared Sentinel to try to break the door down, After we deal with these pests. Hopefully Starbi is ok. Maybe, William's incarnation could also help attempt to break the door down, and aid in out combat situation.\n```\n\n Then summoning her Ensnared Sentinel. A bulky, 8 foot tall knight like shape of water formed, with 2 glistening chains wrapped around the torso, It's Chains and Eyes crackling with electricity. It would take less strain on Athena and form faster this time as she had been practicing in her free time, during the 3 months before the event.\n\n```\n\"Ensnared Sentinel\"\n```\n\nSeeing as Shiro attempted to help William with the piece flying at him, whether it worked or not, Athena would send her incarnation to go and attempt to smash the piece that flew by Shiro, as long as the blade was within 45 feet of her.\n\n```\n\"William, You think you can summon that demon incarnation you got without putting strain on yourself, ... Or injuring yourself?\"\n```\n\nShe asked, recalling the formidable power she had witnessed during the Margo Aeternitatis at the Festival of Convergence. His demonic incarnation could be pivotal in breaking through the door or overwhelming their mechanical assailants." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Everything happened suddenly.\nSeeing everything triggered something inside William. The fire he held within his hand became unstable and erratic. It burned brighter than before, and sulfur filled the air. Within the blink of an eye, he shifted his position into a one-handed weaver stance. A shot rang out, one of a gunslinger.\nBANG\nFire snaked around his person into his firearm, and as the shot rang true, out came flame and lead, striking and destroying the blade that came at him. But something else changed. As the fire snaked and burned, so did his clothes. What looked to be a lieutenant's rank burned on the shoulder of his jacket, and his boots changed to his original stovepipe boots. Within the flame, what sounded like screams and gunfire was heard. \"Captain!......Ambush!.........Emilio is dead!\" These were the voices that were heard in the flame. He walked forward without listening to Athena, and the sound of spurs jingled with each step. He spoke, \"Athena, move up, clear the room. Shiro, watch our back.\" His voice sounded cold and experienced, but so was war and death." }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "Seemed like her suspicions were in fact correct, she didn't have much time to concoct plan, the door behind her shut and was more than likely locked, the claw would probably be back to drag her into the unknown any moment.\nThe solution seemed obvious, she could stay there and get dragged upwards, or she could make her way up on her own volition. Whatever the case two of her companions had been dragged up there and even though they had their rough patches, a good teammate should probably help their comrades.\nShe sighed, and rose up in the direction the claws had dragged her companions, hopefully fast enough to avoid any more surprise grabbing attempts from the mystery claws." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "```fix\n\"?!\"```\n\nEvery hair on her body began to stand on-end as she descended further into the void that was the stairwell. Her body itself cried out a warning as the metal contraption pulled closer, even invisible in the darkness as it was — her instincts were as sensitive as a beast's, and she could as much sense impending danger as a wolf could sense the coming of rain.\n\n`From above?`\n`No——`\n`——the kid, first?!`\n\nBefore her eyes had even caught a glimpse of what twisted in the dark, she had already sensed the oncoming attack, her feet shifting unconsciously as the claw descended upon her from above. The clock, aimed and launched at Starbi, was her most immediate conscious concern — she had sought to immediately step in to shatter the thing with her bare hands before it made impact, and yet it was already too late. Neither her nor the Starborn had the physical ability to move so fast on such a short notice, and with Arlet herself preoccupied with dodging the descent of the claw, it would be impossible for her to intercept.\n\n*`TFP`\n_ _\n\nHer foot springs off the ground with incredible force, as she leapt forward and leftward, descending further down the stairs, Elevated a few feet above the next step down, she slammed her leg into the wall, the arch of her boot pressing firm as it generated her friction enough to leave her suspended in her verticality. In turn, having missed its first grab at Arlet, the claw continued to unnaturally slice through the dark toward her. Her eyes now kept track of the unusual mechanism while it pursued her relentlessly, her irises flickering light-blue as mana crackled through her body.\n\n`Internal Transfiguration.`\n\nAll the muscles in her body went taut, as her strength nearly doubled. She kicked off of the wall, only just now beginning to descend due to the added friction of her boot. Twice she repeated this, bounding off the left wall and back onto the right, before beginning to freefall back down the stairs with the claw in pursuit; she was as vigorously attempting to dodge it as it was attempting to pursue her.\n_ _\n\n`What the hell is this thing trying to do?`\n\nHer legs curl in as she makes impact with the stairs again. The claw slams almost immediately down to attempt to grab her again, yet she fully leaps backward as she begins to enhance her descent down the stairs, flipping head-behind-heels, the mechanism, in turn, shooting to grab her mid-air. In succession to succeeding its restrainment of Arlet, the white-haired woman is slammed into the wall, her arm instinctively cushioning the back of her head as she made impact.\n\n```fix\n\"Tch.\"```\n\nHer eyes fixed on the mechanism of the claw as it entrapped her in-place.\n\n`Now what?`\n\nThe mechanism begins to lift, and just like that, Arlet is gone, lifted into darkness." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"And—\"`` Tom would hardly so much as get a word out before shit began to hit the fan, and in this specific scenario, Starbi and Arlet. Call it divine intervention as it pertains to the former, although his viewpoint of the show wasn't Quite* As good because he was still coming up the stairs, fixing that nice watch on his left wrist. His eyes sharply peered up at the suddenness of the wiring noise, and his unoccupied, non-dominant hand nigh instinctively pulled his 1911 from the tight belt's holster, grasping it firmly with both hands, directing it towards the middle door in a highly concise, trained fashion. His watch fell off his wrist during the motion, but he swiftly caught it with his left foot as to prevent it from landing onto the ground. (adjusted to that funky ass gravity quickly, didn't he?) On his guard, gun prepped, and it was time to get actually serious. Yippie!\n\n_ _\nShits going Down, or in this case, up. Said shit, however, was not easy to track, even for the likes of him, which obviously meant that nobody else here could keep up, either. The sudden appearance of those claws straight out of a scummy arcade machine turned fun-sized, dragging, grabbing, suffocating and pulling away the carefree, highly stupid Arlet into the ceiling's abyss within the blink of an eye, or several in this case. Alexis being briefly spared despite following after Arlet and ignoring her better judgement, only to get pushed into the stairwell due to the haunted door promptly shutting on itself. Starbi was successfully targeted by a Flying Clock, of all things— and for the record, that was Not What he thought to be interesting behind him, nor did he expect the clock to do anything of that nature. A rogue gunshot, formed flames of a fireball in the corner of his eye, Athena's panic and subsequent callouts that was further subsequent to a giant ass. . . What Is That? Who Is that? Some sort of water creature? \n\nIt was hard to tell what really happening at all based on how fast it all went down, no matter how precisely his eyes attempted to follow the back and forth, flipping vehemently between directions with his pistol trained, unable to match up with how quick things were moving. He certainly couldn't have anticipated that, although it wasn't to suggest he had lost his composure. Observation is the backbone of his work, and he wasn't able to do that right now, not effectively. It was both interesting And Vexing. He didn't know what to feel at this point, honestly. Should he had been upset because he didn't know something on the tip of his nose, or intrigued because of that very notion? Who cares if some people died or whatever, this was New. This was a Real Case, and it actually excited him, endlessly bitter of a man as he was. So much to think about. . .\n\n_ _\nFor some time now, he was very well certain that 1-B was a trap of some sort, and he wasn't the only one based on what Athena said right before they went in, or Alexis's general demeanor. A place where trained vigilantes go missing has an incredibly convenient voice recording telling them Exactly What to do, and some of these idiots thought that Wasn't Suspicious, not even a little bit? People are morons, but they're also sheep, and mathematically speaking, Someone Followed directions at some point, meaning that the directions themselves therefore had to be faulty, perhaps intentionally so. However, the nature of this encounter had still escaped his immediate understanding. Why the hell is a place surrounded in cursed magical energy— yes, he did notice it contrary to his lack of comment on the matter— operating and functioning with these purely mechanical machines of death? Correct, he essentially let Arlet and elselike enter 1-B without offering any insight on his concerns on account of wanting to see what it was that happened assuming they waltzed in— if they Died That's useful information, and gets rid of overall deficiencies, or weaklings as Arlet would say— but this didn't make any damn sense. None of this does, and maybe. . . That's the point. \n``Deception is the key.``\n\n_ _\nUnfortunately, his on-the-fly analysis was then shortly interrupted, because now this apparently sentient clock had Divided Itself into four little tiny pieces, of which were armed with blades as to attack those remaining in the room— real innovative, by the way— and now, one of them was coming towards him. They most evidently weren't close to as fast as the claws or the clock in its original formation based on the fact that he could See Them move, and it was as simple as him ducking down cleanly before the blade could even sniff him. It sort of felt like everyone else was. . . Overcompensating as far as counters went, and he really didn't see the point in wasting ammunition regardless of how tense the situation became. Again, he was calm and collected, not to suggest that others weren't entirely. For what it was worth, they seemed like they could fight, at least. It was something.\n\n``\". . .This is different.\"`` Tom muttered, yet still intent on keeping his guard up. Since things were looking actually worth his time, he may as well focus up moving forward. And there was still that Thing Behind him, wasn't there?" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "All four of their counters-attacks were highly successful, quite easily handling the sharpened pieces of the clock that targeted their necks. The impact of the flame from William's pistol, Shiro's protective fireball and maneuvering, Athena's Ensnared Sentinel, and Tom's simple duck— all effective responses from a tactical standpoint, including the outright destruction of the pieces from the attacks of William, Shiro and Athena. The blade that attacked Thomas simply flew by him and stuck itself into the Inn wall, rendering itself obsolete. The onslaught was over as far as it concerned the clock and its whims It did have small bits and pieces remaining, but obviously lacked the overall material to reconstruct itself in any capacity. It was totally subdued, but nothing could be entirely ruled out just yet.\n\n``THUD.``\n\nNaturally, that was hardly the end of the things— it was hardly the beginning, actually. Suddenly, through the previously closed door of 1-B came crashing two human bodies, rolling onto the hallway floor and making impact with the stairwell fence. Blood that was still relatively flesh smeared onto the floor, and fairly large Maggots Came scrambling out of what were two evident corpses of those who had gone through the doorway. They were disfigured, but it was still clear that it wasn't Arlet or Starbi to those paying attention. One had an O.S.A. Tag on his body, and the other a small button that indicated him a member of Astra Cantum. People from two different worlds, and yet they rot together.\n\nOne had his arm gnawed off, and the other, his eyes completely removed. One could see the horror in their final expressions, too. The maggots were of no harm as they exited the body, albeit did take up a good amount of space of the hallway from the sheer amount of them. The stench was Overwhelming On top of the horrid sight, but for some, they'd seen worse. The obvious point was the essential warning and prospect of this fate happening to Arlet and Starbi, two people that may or may not have mattered to the group. However, before any action could be taken, the door of 1-B quickly Shut Itself once again. Trying to pry it open was always an option, in theory.\n\nWhat now? The coast was clear, aside from the horrid sights and smell. 1-B obviously wasn't the designated door, but were 1-A and 1-C really safe? Would it be the same path as the middle door, or something better— and did they have any basis for a line of reasoning as far as this went? Doing nothing was certainly not an option, given they couldn't just leave. Either they were stuck here forever, or they moved on, not to mention that indeed, time was still running out. With the clock gone, keeping track of it wasn't so easy. A woman's life was on the line, but clearly, she wasn't the only one. How much was her living worth at this point? All this death? They still didn't even know the half of it, unlike Arlet and company." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "As the others near him evaded the assaults on their persons; William and Athena both springing into action, Shiro wouldn't need William's order, as he was already attempting to watch out for further sieges upon them by the Inn itself.\n\n...Instead what came next was to be considered Far Worse.\n\nBodies spilled forth from one of the doors, luckily not of Shiro's far-off companions, but mutilated they were, and a forewarning of what was to come, certainly.\n\nThe stench itself was not a problem, at least to him, nor were the maggots except to be in their way.\n\nHis axe still somewhat limp in one hand, he lit a small flame in his other, enough hopefully to part the maggots as they passed.\n\n```\n\"We should press on, not just in hopes of discovering the others, but it is clear we are not safe, least of all here.\"\n\n```\n\nAn obvious statement, but he felt as though he had to say something, anything." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi responded to Athena's remark with a small laugh.\n\"Ehe, yeah, I was even considering just dialing random numbers. You never know how lucky you can be the first few times!\" Starbi responded, his smile glowing like a speck of hope against the imminent danger he was in.\n\n```\"You are the real one, and not a hallucination of tiredness, right?\"```\nStarbi's smile turned to one of confusion, his head tilted slightly.\n\n\"Oh, yeah! It's me, the one and only Starbi! Here to help anyway I can!\" \nStarbi stated before Athena spoke to the rest.\n\"Yeah, the girl with blonde hair went down, so did the other girl. She actually brought up going to one of the other doors, but she said she was joking. I'm sure the two know what the-\"\n\nStarbi's words were then brought to a halt from the unsuspecting sounds of the the metal wiring had returned once more. Starbi then turned around to the door of 1-B, noticing that all of a sudden- a claw descended from the ceiling immediately Artlet to the wall of the stairway, as it then took her away up to the stairway's ceiling of darkness.\n\nStarbi shifted back from another claw trying to reach out to whomever was outside door 1-B, his hand which consisted the gun given by William from before angling towards the claw.\n\nIt was then that during this, Starbi had the sudden feeling about something, something was wrong, a chill from nowhere was sent down his spine. He felt the need to turn around, trying to do so only rewarded him with the violent push of something against his back, this left him to unintentionally stumbling onto the stairs, luckily keeping his stance and grip on the gun.\n \n\nStarbi then turned to see door 1-B shut behind him. Turning around, he approached the door, it was then that another claw then grabbed Starbi, Starbi letting out a grunt from the pressure applied onto his body,\n\"What the-?!\"\nStarbi yelled out, as he was then swung upwards to what one could assume to be where Artlet was being brought to, letting out an echoing scream that faded out to those on the other side of door 1-B." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Walking forward William took notice of the bodies and blood, \"Vayan con Dios.\" He muttered under his breath as he took a knee to examine the bodies. This isn't the place for it. This isn't back in the trenches or mountains, this is a case. Keep in under control, this is a case not war. His own thoughts echoed in his head as the fire died down but still present along with the smell of sulfur. He reached behind his back, gripping the handle of his knife and pulling the steel blade out, he used the tip of the blade to retrieve the O.S.A. Tags and button of the Astra Cantum to further examine them. \"Athena what do you make of this? You know I ain't fully understanding of this modern lingo.\" He said as he lifted up the two objects showing them and then placing them into his coat pocket. The smell of the rotting corpses having no clear effect on the veteran given his time in trenches. He turned his head towards Shiro to address him, \"I reckon you right about that but I've lost a lot of good men, I ain't about to lose another. That feller that got took is here by my asking, so if you don't mind. My first priority now is to find him.\" His voice sounded clear but also regretful, why did he care for Starni exactly? Nonetheless his voice carried professionalism and experience, \"I'll see if I can follow that contraption to where it took them, stick with Athena, she's stronger than I.\" His head turned back towards Athena, \"Don't worry about me none. I've dueled with the devil before, Bonney ain't ready to see me yet.\" His last few words sounded in a near joking manner. He lifted his pistol and aimed at the door handle embuing his shot with fire and squeezed his trigger.\nBANG\nHe soon followed by kicking in the door and stepping inside." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "At William's war-weary and guilty words, Shiro was ever reassured that he was following the right man. The others were here for their own reasons, ones he may never know, but he could feel no ill intent from either William nor Athena, and he would ensure they would fall only when he too did, for as long as he could muster.\n\n```\n\"Very well, but I have my own honor to uphold, and it will not allow me to let you venture inside alone. You have my power alongside you until we are done here, one way or another.\"\n\n```\n\nAnd so as William kicked in the door, Shiro would follow behind him, axe at the ready." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena look around, at the bodies still on the floor, then to the door of 1-B that William has just kicked down.\n\n```\n\"...Fuck it, lets go\"\n```\n\nShe would sheathe her katana and follow William and Shiro into 1-B, having her incarnation follow close behind her. As she follows them in she would think to herself.\n\n```\nits totally a deathtrap, but I have to protect my friends, and the others here... No matter the cost. They are my friends and it is my duty after all.\n```" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "Unfortunately, no matter how vigorous or admirable their intentions were, door 1-B simply refused to budge or pry open after closing on itself again. Their advances and any means of brute force or finesse used in effort to get through would all be ultimately unsuccessful— pushing, pulling, striking or slamming would all be met by the same, immovably stubborn result. It was stuck, and it wouldn't be as easy as running arms bared into the endless void of a death trap in an attempt to save their friends, as well as others. Perhaps there was still time, but they'd need to find another way, and quickly.\n\nHowever, door 1-A and 1-C Were Still open and technically accessible, providing no resistance to entry provided someone was inclined. The voice recording clearly instructed that those two doors were not viable options, but naturally that judgment was now more then questionable. That said, could one actually believe that the latter two doors were safe, merely because the middle one was not? There was no evidence to suggest that any of them were clear to go through, but of course, and again, they Had To go somewhere at some point, didn't they? It was entirely plausible, however, that another claw would come from their heads the second they stepped into the other stairwells. Endless risks and uncertainty at nearly every step outside the lobby itself. It was no wonder that so many aspiring independents went M.I.A. Here, ignorant of the dangers involved. \n\nThere Was Something else to do, though. True, the room was totally disarmed of any real danger— but there was, with awfully convenient timing, a familiar yet unaccounted noise that came from behind them, down the brief steps within the main section of the lobby. It came mostly obviously from one of the bookshelves in the back, but Not The one that Shiro had moved in order to pull the lever. Rather, it was the second bookshelf directly across from it that was ever slightly moved— enough to Fit Someone behind it— and the source of the noise was several books that were otherwise neatly placed fallen onto the floor. It wasn't loud or nearly as alarming as what else had happened in here, but it did precede what sounded like. . . A small Gasp, a human one, as if someone had made a mistake regarding their own indiscretion after concealing themselves behind a shelf. Given how presently baseless their situation was, perhaps it could offer some insight. If nothing else, it was highly suspicious to suggest someone else was around unaccounted for. Perhaps a rogue civilian who wandered in?Or another trap, conversely? It could've also just been nothing, but someone or something audibly shrieking didn't Sound Like nothing." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"If you guys wanna get yourselves killed, at least do it in a more interesting then they did. Maybe just ask the door nicely? Then you'll die beaming with politeness.\"`` In came the unconcerned, sharply sarcastic remarks of Tom who made no effort to help them fail at opening the door, his expression genuinely irritated at their painful attempts of heroism as he came up the staircase, holstering his 1911 into the belt and kicking his watch up from his Oxford formals into his unoccupied palm. Why would he Willingly— and by that extension, why would Anyone- try to breach a death trap after witnessing what just happened? He knew they were all stupid, but damn, seriously? Even if they were alive, and they had no reason to believe that of course, trying to save them by blindly going down the Exact Same path they did to get themselves in trouble was entirely irrational. An emotionally, courageously charged moralistic crusade with no hope of success. It was the kind of thing he detested as a trait in people, not that he liked them otherwise. They should've been focusing on the task at hand, because time was running out for someone who actually had a chance to live. Or, maybe not, based on who was trying to save her.\n\n_ _\n``\"Your jobs are to prove some ancient chick isn't a priest killer. 'Course, you're free to be as noble and therefore useless as you want instead.\"`` Tom was perhaps too harshly ridiculing them on behalf of his irritation toward their human decency, but he also had a point. The Mancini Inn had a deadly combination of deception and built-in defenses that could seamlessly prey on those both incautious and self-servingly inclined to help others. Granted, he had no real interest in working alongside them nor their well-being's, but he couldn't help to not comment. Plus, it's possible that their stupidity had real advantages. They're certainly the types to sacrifice themselves, aren't they? Run into danger with no plan whatsoever, so that he doesn't have, and can think of something? Leveraging idiocy is a fine art. \n\nAfter taking a moment to buckle his watch onto his right wrist, Tom stepped forward and took a knee next to the two bodies, undeterred by the fatty maggots crawling against the ground of the upstairs floor, nor their attempts to crawl onto his trousers, swatting them away. He didn't usually deal with corpses this post-mortem, but that didn't mean he was uneducated. The sudden arrival of the corpses themselves did catch him briefly off-guard, but more-so to do with the nature of their descent— literally falling out of the ceiling— as opposed to the actual gruesomeness or stench. He'd seen much worse on LiveLeak, and smelled much worse at a select few motels he'd stay at. Motel bathrooms are one of a kind.\n\nHunting agency and Astra Cantum joined together in death, huh? Honestly, he found that hilarious. Despite being severely decomposed, there was still plenty of serviceable analysis in his unhumble opinion to be had, of which, however, was interrupted by the sound of a shifting bookshelf, specifically the non-Shiro affected one. It was what he had made note of earlier, but. . . Something was off, yet again. This seemed to be a reoccurring theme." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Turning his attention from the door towards Tom, the flame grew brighter, clearly showing his agitation. \"God, do you ever learn to shut up?\" His voice sounded angry, he began to make his way downstairs while still addressing Tom, \"All you've done is be nothing but a pain to us all, now we got two people missing and here you are being no help. And here I know you're an agent of some kind. I would know, I was one myself.\" He spoke tossing the O.S.A. Agent tags towards Tom. Now, on the ground floor, William took notice of the opening and then looked at Tom clear anger in his eyes. \"One of those fellers is here under my orders. I'm not losing another. You know more than you lead on. You're an agent just like that dead feller upstairs, so if you have something to add, then let's hear it. I'm not asking.\" His voice sounded more angry than before, his stance shifted, and given that his gun was already out, he would be a far quicker draw than Tom. \"Ain't no point in hiding now, so what's your name? Because if you won't speak, then make yourself useful.\" The sergeant stripes reappeared on his shoulder, but they began to shift and change towards his true rank, Captain. \"Athena! Get down here!\" He shouted his voice clear with anger, he began walking towards the bookshelf and observed it trying to see if he spotted anything out of ordinary. Jesus, this night can't get any worse. I need a fucking drink. He thought to himself before turning back to Tom, \"Stay where i can see you. Dont need you go jumping for your gun.\" He said waiting for his friend." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "As power and force refused to budge the door they came upon (Shiro even tried an axe strike), they were to do nothing but attempt to reassess their stratagem and go elsewhere.\n\nPerhaps to the rooms deemed forbidden by their \"Guide\" From the message? It was certainly risky, and they Were Forewarned, but what else were they to do?\n\nThe irritating voice of the man, Brandt filled Shiro's ears, his mocking them from behind. Childish fool.\n\nBut there was another noise, from the Inn itself, coming from another of the bookshelves.\n\nIt sounded... Human? A gasp, a whisper. \n\nPerhaps one of their companions.\n\nPerhaps something else.\n\nGetting rather fed up with the lack of help from the patronizing man behind them, other than him, at last stating the obvious, Shiro would whirl around.\n\n```\n\"If you dislike our current course of action, why don't you stop shadowing us like a beggar from the streets and actually Do Something, or if you really feel like being bothersome; you are an inspector of health. Are you not? Go bother the bloodstains or the cobwebs, or otherwise stay out of the way.\"\n\n```\n\nAfter William finished his own comments, even somewhat threatening the man himself, Shiro would follow him to the bookshelf, not taking initiative this time.\n\nHaving his axe out just in case someone unfriendly was to jump out from the shadows at them, Shiro would stand ready." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "As the three of William, Athena and Shiro approached the bookshelf, they would be met with no obvious threat to them. No sudden indicator of metallic wiring followed by rapid, unavoidable attacks or inanimate objects dramatically coming to life to expressly target them. Each step they took until reaching the right-wing shelf that was slightly rotated from the wall was unusually peaceful. Of course, given the nature of previous events, it was still wise to remain on guard. It'd been proven at this rate that anything could happen at any moment to anyone, especially those careless, inattentive or outright unlucky. \n\nThere was nothing too peculiar about the shelf overall. Just like its counter-part, a myriad of Italian literatures and magazines that were relatively basic, alongside holy scriptures. It had a wooden frame much like the construction of the Inn, and was both 12 inches long and 30 inches wide, otherwise a standard structure for a shelf. It was slightly odd that a waiting room of a motel had an entire bookcase as opposed to a simple magazine rack, but this was Caeli Noctis, a place where enlightenment and philosophical literature was emphasized. It was also all the more strange that those lewd magazines that a certain someone was reading managed to be in here. \n\nWilliam's flames and their provided illumination would indeed reveal the presence of another, but not a foe, albeit that wasn't immediately obvious. As the three of them approached and closed in on the nearing angle of the bookshelf, William, being first in line, would be met with having a book tossed at his face. The throw had almost zero impact despite it being a hardcover, and the accompanying female, panicked grunt insinuated that the culprit suffered physical strain from doing so. Two more were weakly tossed at Shiro and Athena, but they only managed to reach their stomachs and legs respectively provided minimal, inferior velocity. However, it was then that the person in doing so became apparent to the group, as they quickly realized their mistake. It was a friend, it turns out." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "```\n\"—Oh! I'm so sorry, I thought you were all— someone. . . Bad?\"\n```\n In comes the apology of the familiar face that once greeted the entire group outside the Inn, as lighting would reveal that the young girl in the red poncho, with faded black marker scribbled across its surface and adamantly opposing daughter of the accused had found herself inside the main lobby, somehow, at a point unclear. Roberta straightened her posture, put her hands together and then bowed slightly as to signify her remorse for thinking that the group intended to bring harm to her and subsequently making an awfully pathetic attempt to defend herself. In her defense, it was really dark, and she couldn't identify their voices so easily during to how grating that metal wiring was.\n\nHowever, Roberta now had to answer the ultimate question: why the Hell Was she in here? How the hell did she get in here? The door Locked On itself, and the only way she could've snuck in was if she had already been inside, or somehow managed to sneak past them when they were all searching. She must've had a hidden talent for stealth, if that was the case. \n\n```\n\". . .I uhm. . . Wanted to help, so. . . Yes. Where is everyone else? Did they go far?\"\n```\nShe awkwardly laughed at first, scratching the back of her brown locks, and then transitioning into curiosity. There was hope in her eyes that perhaps they'd gotten somewhere, naturally. She certainly didn't recognize the amount of danger she was now in, not yet anyway." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``Man, this guy's real committed. Woualda fit right into one of those musty ass costume conventions instead of a murder case. Loser.``\n``\"Uh-huh. Right, yeah, John Wayne's great. . .\"``\n \nTom took a page out of the presumably deceased Alexis's book and almost entirely ignored William's enraged tangent and Shiro's subsequent comment, clearly focused on analyzing the two corpses beneath him based on his dismissive, uninterested response. He didn't get why he was so mad, anyway. Everything Tom said was the truth, and while this notion that Tom 'knew more' was true from a general standpoint— As always— it's not his job to give them the answers. In the game of life or death, there are no freebies. Aside from those particular set of words, he tuned him out. Guy can pout all he wants, not his problem.\n\n_ _\nAnyway, the bodies. For one, the maggots were abnormally large. The sheer number of them would've already completely eaten Every Single piece of flesh that these once-live humans had, and yet, their size to remaining flesh was considerably disproportionate. They were obese essentially— maybe these guys were the A1 steaks of dead bodies, or something? Also, the insects had red eyes, which maggots do not have. Actually, their eyes are Literally In the back of their head. Based on the presumed origin of the biting. . . They did Not Start from the face, and that was, again, odd behavior. Given that a clock was largely responsible for the likely death of that abomination, it wasn't a stretch to say that these little crawlers could be viable threats, as well. They have the advantage of already being alive. Oh, and how they'd get in here? He hadn't seen any flies, and the place was locked up. Even the way the bugs maneuvered were. . . Off, and this wasn't even Tom's field. A missed oppertunity it was not to actually look closer at the bodies— for everyone else, naturally.\n\nTom did not have the necessary tools at his disposal to conclusively deduce cause of death or anything medically relevant. Both guys were pretty scrawny and physically weak, but probably had some kind of magic powers or whatever. He could note that both of their throats seemed gutted, but that could've been caused by anything. There wasn't a ton he could do with this information currently, but it was better then what—\n. . .A familiarly Annoying Voice becomes apparent, as he notices something— someone, unfortunately— in the corner of his eye.\n\n``You're joking.``\n ``\"You complete moron.\"``\n\n_ _\nTom's vexed intonation made his fairly juvenile insult strike twice as hard, as he sharply stood up from his kneeled position and directed his gaze at said moron, Berta. Why? Why can't people who he was actually Responsible For just listen to him? Now he was feeling just like William did. ``\"Didn't I specifically tell you to stay outside? What, you want your grave to be right next to mom and dad? Take a nice family portrait at the local cemetery—?\"`` His tone was as adamant and infuriated as it'd been since he'd gotten here. This was just Brilliant. An even more useless, weak and stupid—\n\n``Wait.``\n``Weak. . .``\n\nTom paused before he could continue, the anger on his expression being replaced by puzzlement. He turned to face the door directly behind him, door 1-C, and seemingly, there was a moment of clarity. A revelation, of sorts, found in his exasperation. Weakness. That's it. That's the answer. Just like how the bodies were weak from a physical standpoint, and how Berta was weaker then everyone else here. Weak. Weak. Weak. . .\n\n``\". . Get her up here. Or don't, and stay here forever.\"`` Thomas says, in a calm, firm and non-satire manner. There was also something unrelated that he just now realized, but that was a bit less important then this. Still, it affected his overall perspective." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Shiro's reacted as best he could to the sudden book-flinging, knocking the one tossed at him aside, but his guard would drop upon seeing the lady they met before who had let them in appear.\n\nShe would answer his question before it even left his lips; so she wanted to help, noble but still...\n\nAnd then in came the irritating voice of Brandt again from above, except he seemed... Angrily concerned?\n\n..........\n\n\"Mom and Dad\"? \n\nThe two of them Knew Each other?\n\nBut then he'd turn suddenly, to door 1-C, and stride away, willing them to bring Roberta up with them. \n\nFool, if he wanted her safety assured, why Bring Her closer to the danger.\n\nAnd yet... Did they have a choice? None of them could leave at this moment, the Inn had made sure of that.\n\nSnapping out of his thoughts and turning to Berta with a puzzled expression of his own, he'd speak.\n\n```\n\"Miss, you know that guy? He was who you were referring to before when you were waiting for someone?\"\n\n```\n\nShaking his head suddenly— big picture, focus. — he'd quickly change to matching her question.\n\n```\n\"The others are above us somewhere; we were separated and attacked and I fear some of our party might yet be in trouble.\"\n\n```\n\nTurning to William and Athena, he had his own concerns and questions, and in a whisper so neither party next to or above them heard, he'd speak them.\n\n```\n\"Do you trust the man, Brandt? That aside even, you think it wise to bring Roberta further in, knowing what we know of the dangers so far? I can remain to guard her if that is what you wish. It is your choice, Detectives, but I would advise us against risking more lives.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "The doubt about taking this job, and her worry for Starbi and the others was starting to get to her, Athena kicks the bookshelf with quite a bit of force, feeling a little angry at herself, before saying in a soft but harsh tone:\n\n```\n\"Fuck\"\n```\n\nNow standing motionless.\n\n```\nI was right there next to them. Why didn't I act? I could have, no, I should have done something to prevent this. On top of all that, we are still pratically at square one in this investigation, having found pretty much nothing of use.\n```\n\nShe thought, her mind replaying the moments leading up to Starbi being snatched by what she guessed was more likely a lethal trap behind Door 1-B, she continues to think.\n\n```\nOn top of all that, we are still pratically at square one in this investigation, having found pretty much nothing of use.\n```\n\nSuddenly, Berta's voice cut through the silence, pulling Athena from her thoughts. She turned toward Berta\n\n```\n\"...\"\n```\n\nAthena then looks over at Berta, her eyes drifting off a bit towards the floor, as she says in a first puzzled, then somber tone:\n\n```\n\"I could have sworn that door was locked, then again i don't think i checked it. Either way, as for the whereabouts of the others.\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"They are as good as dead, i'd say. Locked in that deathtrap of Stairway 1-B\"\n```\n\nShe then looks towards where Tom would be, her expression shifted to one of mostly irritation mixed with a bit of confusion. She then responds to his comments:\n\n```\n\"Who are you to command others what to do, so far you have done pretty much nothing but sit on your ass. So unless you care to share with the group and help out more, i don't think you should be giving orders of any kind.\"\n```\n\nShe then looks to Shiro as he speaks, she then wait a bit before responding, thinking of what to say. She then continues to respond in a calm tone:\n\n```\n\"...No. Brandt, is not one I trust. They seem lazy, like a total asshat and uncaring for anyone and anything besides themself, to say the least. As for bringing Berta further in, i think not. Brandt has no command over us, seeing as he has so far done nothing but insult us and sit on his ass, as you might have guessed from my earlier statement towards them.\"\n```\n\nShe then looks towards William, and says keeping the calm tone:\n\n```\n\"However i want to hear your thoughts on this, as well.\"\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Vel:Stepping out the way of the book, William lifted his revolver and aimed at the person who threw it, but upon realizing that it was a woman who appeared to need help. William lowered his revolver and let the flames die down while placing his revolver back into it's holster, \"Ma'am I'm gonna need you to step forward with your hands high-\" Turning his attention towards Tom for his John Wayne comment, \"Who the fuck is John Wayne? Anyways, ma'am, do not make any quick movements or reach for anything. Come to me and my associates slowly.\" His voice sounded calm, professional, but it also sounded caring, something William isn't very known for. He still kept his hand firmly on his revolver, ready to draw in case of any threat, but his free left hand was held out to Roberta, giving a kind gesture of aid. Turning his attention towards Shiro and Athena, It seems this lady and the so called Health inspector know each other. I gotta question her about this. He thought to himself before deciding to speak low for only the pair to hear, \"No, I don't trust him. I find him agitating. He's definitely an agent of some kind of what I'm not sure. I also don't think it's wise to cut down our group more, if me and Athena go with Tom, we don't know if he'll watch our backs.\" A hint of concern could be heard in his voice, but he continued, \"But we also can't bring the lady with us. She can be a liability. Now Shiro I doubt I'm any stronger than you, you can be a great asset to the search but we also need someone here to question her of what she knows and to keep her safe of any more threats. If you hang back and watch her, I won't hate you for it. Just know that. Your choice, boss.\" The last comment clearly directed towards Athena, turning his attention back towards Roberta, he spoke with the same professional tone of before, \"Now ma'am I'm gonna need to know your involvement with that man who went upstairs. I'm also gonna need to know any information you can share with us.\"\n\nWilliam was calm despite his earlier PTSD attack and his want of finding Starbi as quick as possible, something was eerie with him. Like a Hate Burning in his heart." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "```\n\". . .Oh. I see. . . That is unfortunate. Very much. . . Unfortunate.\"\n```\nRoberta frowned, especially at the bluntness of Athena's assessment in comparison to Shiro. They were dead, weren't they? Just like. . . Everyone else, that'd came here? That had to explain the rancid smell. And now, because of her rashness, she'd be included. She had to do Something, right? Her mother's life was on the line, why shouldn't she put hers, as well? Isn't that justified? Is she. . . Justified? The three of them seemed genuine and concerned for her well-being, which was very kind— but she was uncertain if she deserved nor wanted such a fate. There was this implication that'd they wanted her to say behind, although she couldn't fully gauge their quieted whispers. Not only did that limit their ability to discover what she still hoped was the truth, but it'd all be a waste. Even though it was impulsive, she didn't sneak in here to contribute nothing. How could anyone feel good about that in this situation? Right— more questions to answer.\n\n```\n\"Ah, yes. Well, signore Brandt is a stranger, but I cal—\"\n```\n—Before the Mancini daughter could finish her explanation, a small shriek followed by an expression of horror appeared on a face as she stumbled backwards, nearly falling over due to the books left all over the ground. She put her hand over her mouth, her eyes, appalled as could be, fixated on where Tom should've been standing. And he was, but. . ." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``Plop.``\n``\"So, know this guy?\"``\n\nThomas had already predetermined that his simple demand would be reluctantly debated if not outright refused by the Talentless Trinity downstairs. Irritating, of course, because he Knew He was right, but he nonetheless figured ahead of time that he'd just have to convince Berta himself, which wouldn't be too difficult considering what his idea was. It wasn't exactly his desired intent to interrupt her explanation, but to be honest, he didn't want to give William the satisfaction of knowing who his employers were. It was times like this he wished that the rest of the world was more like China in the early 1980s and implemented the one-child only policy to prevent mistakes like them from existing. Anyway, what does he do now? Well, he first rolls his eyes and sighs in exasperation. After that, however, he pivots. New strategy.\n\n_ _\nThe self-proclaimed health inspector had rather casually grabbed what appeared to be one of the two corpses that fell from the height of door 1-B. This Astra Cantum sorcerer would probably hit closer to home, henceforth being his selection as opposed to the O.S.A. Nitwit— and so, holding up the scrawny, lightweight corpse by its shoulders with ease, he carelessly lifted it over the railing of the lobby staircase allowing it to essentially dangle its limp, lifeless feet for all those downstairs to see. Doing so is what made that nasty 'plop' noise, like cold meat being tossed into a fridge. Maggots crawled all over his arms, spilling out the pores of the body, but he didn't care. He'd seen and done nastier than this, and for much weaker reasons. This actually served a necessary purpose.\n\n``\"Guy was one of the many losers who came in here trying to prove your mommy isn't actually a psycho killer. Didn't get far, did he? Let's ask him.\"`` Tom leans his the side of his head closer to the rotting, disheveled and half-eaten face of the departed, putting his hand over his hear as to insinuate he was trying to listen to something. It was a beyond disrespectful showing. In his defense, what better way to pick on someone's buried guilt then to throw it right in her face, literally? There was hardly a better argument out there as of this moment, and he'd be an idiot not to take advantage. Tactically speaking, it was the right move— not so much ethically, but who cares about that?" }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "```\n\". . .What are you. . .? Please, stop—\"\n```" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"Huh? What's that? You didn't? I mean, that's pretty awful, but at least you're being honest about it. Takes a special guy to admit their shortcomings. Shame you died a horrible, agonizing death, but don't worry! Berta feels really bad about it. That's all that matters, right?\"`` His tone and expression laced with cruel sarcasm and mockery— a sardonic chuckle at the end of his second sentence to amplify his immoral performance— Tom figured his point had been made. He took occasional glances at Berta while he did so, and that was for a specific reason. Judging her mannerisms and body language under these particular conditions was vital, if not essential.\n\n``Thud.``\nTom releases his grasp on the shoulders of the corpse, letting it fall onto the receptionist table, making a sudden, displeasuring noise as it displaces the contents on said table. The body spills onto the floor, now a few inches away from Berta, a witness to its exposed brain matter and missing ligaments. His gaze, reforming to its serious nature, focused itself towards where the Mancini daughter was standing. His subsequent words would purely be based off the logical observations made from her reactions. Solely that.\n\n_ _\n``\". . .You're overwhelmed with guilt. Drowning in it, crawling all over your flesh like. . . Maggots. You think you lead these people to die. You hide your emotions, but you're both angry and scared at the same time. Staying strong makes you miserable. Being vulnerable hurts too. Both options suck.\"`` Casually pushing maggots off his sleeves as he spoke, Tom pauses, and then clamps his hands onto the railing, bending over slightly to narrow his eyes at her furthermore. It was as if he was peering into her very core essence of being, but there was no magic involved here. Just analysis." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "```\n\". . .\"\n```\nRoberta seemed as if she wanted to say something, her mouth opening slightly, but failing to get the words out. She looked at Shiro, William and Athena. Three people who seemed concerned about her, and that man up there. . . Wasn't. He probably wasn't concerned about anyone or anything bu t himself. True, she was warned that he'd be this way, but she sorely underestimated how truly awful he was. To flail a dead man's corpse around. . . And to live with himself afterwards, like it was nothing? To laugh at and mock them? It was disgusting, deplorable. To imagine seeing someone you loved like this. . . .\n\n. . .But was he right? Berta certainly didn't want to believe he was in light of what he'd done just. Yet, his assessment of her condition was thorough, and she had no rebuttal. There were a couple times beforehand where she bit her tongue at his tone, but challenging her beliefs directly was normally something she'd reply toward, respectfully in an ideal world. She could say nothing. Was. . . That why she came in here? Guilt? But. . . It wasn't her fault what happened to them. She only wanted to be in here— and it was stupid of her, admittedly— to help save her mother, given that time was running low. That was the reason, right? Right?\n\n. . .No. Perhaps it wasn't. Perhaps she was just lying to herself this entire time." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``No response from her, huh?``\n``\"Stay here and die, or fight for a shot to get out of here. Only one of those scenarios doesn't include hating yourself. Only one includes trying to save your mom. There is a right answer.\"`` He held himself in place, awaiting an answer from her. Unrelated, but. . . He only realized now that he hadn't questioned how Berta got in here whatsoever. It was something he'd typically see as Awfully Suspicious, but it was as if he. . . Didn't have the urge, abnormally so. It was another thing that had somehow slipped his mind, twice now. Why was that. . .?\n\nWell, anyway. It doesn't matter. That was his bid at what one would call advanced persuasion tactics. If she does say no, and/or if they attempt to restrain her, he had other ways to go about this. That said, he was pretty confident in his scheme. He was also confident that they didn't have any— incidentally, he managed to go multiple sentences without insulting the three of them. That showed incredible restraint on his part, frankly." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "Berta clenched her knuckles, looking down at the floor. She couldn't avoid the stench nor the corner view of the body. It was inescapable, this feeling. She wanted to leave. She wanted to get out of here as fast as possible, as far as she could, and curl up into a ball and wilt away. She wanted to not think about all the death she may or may not have caused, the suffering that those endured. She just wanted her mother to Live, and for someone to prove her innocent like she knew she was. To give the truth an honest chance. But. . . That hadn't happened yet, had it? It wasn't that simple. 15 hours from now. . . And not soon afterwards, she'd look just like that. Unrecognizable.\n\n. . .Fine. Fine. The Mancini Daughter took a deep breathe, rubbing her faces with her hands. She turned to the third and gave them another bow, as well as an apologetic look much similar to when she was throwing books at their faces, yet with more emphasis. It was fairly easy to understand what she was trying to convey, even absent of the words; she Had To go. Her expression told that story. She had to fight, or she couldn't live with herself. However, she would not entirely disregard or ignore the opinions of others who were obviously concerned about her. It was not in her nature to do so, whatever that was at this point. \n\n```\n\"I feel I must go. You. . . Must understand. He is not a nice man, but I believe he is right.\"\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "William remained still, listening to both Berta and Tom speak, but the name Brandt caught his attention, it was a name he Recognized. Now with his attention fully secured, William turned to look towards Tom as he moved the body around and pretended that it spoke. He waited for the two to stop talking before William spoke up, \"Lady, you're gonna stay here until we sort this out. Shiro, if she tries to run, kill her.\" His voice sounded cold but also genuine. He then turned towards Tom and spoke towards him. \"She said your name is Brandt, I knew that name a long time ago. Wealthy oil men who used ruthless means to get secure their wealth. I would know, they had me do their dirty work.\" The tone of his voice grew angry and violent as he recounted the actions of the Brandt family. \"If your name truly is Brandt and you're part of the Brandt family, I don't have any hope that any of us are walking out alive.\" His hand shifted towards his revolver, given the different styles the two carried their guns, William would still be a faster draw if Tom decided to attempt anything. Still staring at Tom, he addressed Athena, \"Boss, we need to find this case. We can't afford to waste any time. And you, Brandt, if you don't believe what I say about your family. I'll bring you to the same well that they had me dump bodies in. Or should I show you the family who's skulls were cracked open by agents all because they wanted a better pay and working conditions?\" His tone filled with anger as the smell of sulfur filled the air, but William relaxed his hand and the smell soon went away as he made his way towards the bookshelf, observing if it held anything usual, if not then he would make his back to the speaker and see where the wires connected and went towards." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "What was happening?\n\nIt seemed all very fast; Brandt's rant and tossing of one of the corpses at Berta, and now William had become seemingly wrathful as well, raving about past atrocities.\n\nEnough was enough.\n\nA far stronger smell of sulfur and smoke would fill the air as Shiro's temper boiled over. The red of his eyes grew far sharper and those nearest him would feel the extreme heat that radiated from him, as he cast outwards his fury at volume above human levels.\n\n```\n\"ENOUGH. I AM NOT SOME MERCENARY TO BE ORDERED AROUND, DETECTIVE ROJAS. YOU WILL NOT DO WELL TO ASSUME I AM ONE. IF THERE IS AN EXECUTION TO BE CONDUCTED, THEN CARRY IT OUT YOURSELF IF YOU FEEL SO HAUNTED. YOUR PAST CONCERN THE PRESENT NOT, AND IT WOULD BEHOOVE YOU TO FOCUS ON THE NOW INSTEAD.\"\n\n```\n\nHis expression would become far more desolate at Brandt, to whom the most of his scorn focused.\n\n```\n\"AND YOU, \"BRANDT\". IF ALL YOU HAVE COME TO DO IS DEFILE, TORMENT, AND MOCK, THEN I WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU ARE DEFILED LIKE THESE MEN WHO'S CORPSES YOU PARADE!\" \n\n\"I HAVE NOT COME HERE TO DEAL WITH A BELLIGERENT SNAKE WHO WOULD HIDE FEIGNED \"CONCERN\" BEHIND SNIDE AND CRUELTY! ALL YOU HAVE DONE IS SHADOW, FOLLOWING OUR BOOT-HEELS INTO DANGER BUT NOT BOTHERING TO PUT YOURSELF FORWARD. COWARD!\"\n\n```\n\nFinally, the smell and heat would die down much, to a more pleasant air, as Shiro spoke, his voice again a measured calm, last to Berta.\n\n```\n\"I know not what your past actions were or were not, but if what has been said is true in any way, your punishment at my hand shall not be death unless I see further proof that you are as wicked as claimed.\nYou can run, and I will not pursue you mercilessly, but I would think you wish to redeem yourself if dreadful were you once.\"\n\n\n\n```\n\nHe'd turn at last to the bookshelf, not addressing anyone else further, inspecting it as well." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would stand there watching Tom torment Berta by parading corpses as Shiro put it. While everyone was talking, an Idea came to mind. After everyone was done speaking, she would stay silent as she walked over to where Tom was, having her Ensnaring Sentinel follow her. She would have it attempt to grab him. Either way, if it succeeded or not, she would start by putting her own two cents into the bucket:\n\n```\n\"First of all we are all in this together so we all need to learn that. Now second of all Mr.Brandt, You absolutely disgust me parading corpses around like they are some toys to be played with. They more likely put there lives on the line to solve this case and save this place, giving them more courage then you could even dream of mustering up you lazy bitch. They have, and always will have more honor then you as well, And even if they didn't they deserve to be respected as anyone else, living or dead. Also stop tormenting people, all you are making yourself out to be is a bad omen, and a scared little boy from a bad family, who decides to bully people to make himself feel better about his shitty fucking life. Get over it.\"\n```\nHer words very loud, harsh and sharp, the eyes of the Ensnaring Sentinel crackling with electricity more frequently and in larger quantities as she sneered at Tom. She then turned her attention to Berta, and yelled down, not in a tone of anger but more a questioning tone.\n\n```\n\"Third of all, Berta. I have a question, thats been on my mind since you showed up in here. I'm pretty sure the front door was locked... So how did you get in.\"\n```\n\nShe then pulls out her Lockpicking Kit and turned to door 1-B, Ready to Start her plan.\n\n```\n\"William, Shiro, I think you two need a breather, go take a sit, take some breaths and clear your minds. I have an idea i wanna try before attempting any of the other doors. Oh and make sure, Tom and Berta don't try anything, will you?\"\n```\n\nShe walks over to the door, and attempts to lockpick it. She says in a quite tone, one meant for only her to hear:\n\n```\n\"We have a case to solve, people and friends to save. Time is ticking down at the millisecond. We need to hurry up.\"\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Standing still, he listened to what Shiro and Athena had to say, his stature seeming to relax. Turning toward the two, William began to speak, \"You're right, Shiro. I shouldn't have suggested you as a gun for hire, and as for the past, it's much harder to leave behind. Believe me, I'm trying, but that's no excuse. I apologize.\" His voice sounded genuine, but then he turned toward Athena. \"Boss, we did things differently. Right now, we can't afford breathers. I'll get a drink after the case.\" He said, his voice calm, but he still didn't trust Brandt, given his family name or what that family had made him do. For everyone else, this had happened over 100 years ago, but not for William; to him, it was a blink away. It's hard to move away from the past when you know nothing of the world anymore. He continued his search of the bookshelf and later the speaker." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "Tom kept himself in place, hands remaining attached the wooden railing of the lobby staircase with no sudden movement aside from turning his head at each of the three when they spoke, his posture slightly slanted forward. His cold gaze had morphed into a confused, heavy squinting of the eyes so as to indicate deep thought, but he did not address their comments aloud, let alone say anything whatsoever; a rare moment of silence, indeed. \n\nOn one hand, that piece the Cowboy said. . . That is Troubling, isn't it? Perhaps it even struck a nerve long buried into the annals of his life, and yet he preferred not to approach the subject just yet for an unemotionally involved reason. As for the other two, he had a natural inclination to mock Shiro and Athena— the former for feigning loyalty to a man that threatened to kill an innocent women and then walking back on it, whereas the latter for trying to unlock the self-locking door Again, albeit at least she having a sense of urgency— but decided against doing so momentarily for the simple reason that clearly, his original idea wasn't going to work provided their lack of cooperation and incessant self-righteousness, which was starting to sound like a broken recorrd. An adjustment was needed before those and other concerns could be evaluated further. In lesser terms, it was due time to get the hell out of here.\n\n_ _\n`. . .Okay. Plan B.` \nThomas directed his gaze at Berta, locking eyes with her, the exchanges of emerald irises, an oceanic blue and sickly yellow from across the two floors of the Inns main lobby. He nudged his head slightly left, as if attempting to instruct her to move in that direction. She was startled, and rightfully so, because William threatened to kill her for no apparent reason other then mild untrustworthiness. Bringing it up twice meant that it actually Bothered Him, but not for reasons that align with ethical dilemma or empathy. \n\nIn any case, it was time to test his theory, one of which would have to be conducted by mild force. What better a convincing argument then a live demonstration, even if it required some level of physical manipulation? They weren't gonna listen to him— which to be fair, it's not like he wanted to talk to them anyway— meaning that this was the only effective way. The simple reason he'd be informing them now was for his own satisfaction of being right. Accounting for resistance was a no-brainer regardless of what he did at this rate, and of course, he also had a Plan C. After that, maybe not." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "It took her a moment, but Berta seemed to interpret his directive signal, albeit not fully understanding why. Regardless, she did as he asked, and took two steps left—" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``PRESNCE: ENABLED.``\n``AUTOMATIC RETALIATION: ENABLED.``\n\nThe split-second after Berta took those two steps, a sudden projectile flew past her her shoulder, traveling up towards Brandt's position. As it turns out, the single remaining piece of the subdued murderous* Clock— the piece that attacked Tom, to be specific— that had somehow Reactivated* Despite its source and counter-parts being dormant, if not destroyed. Unlike the rest of them, his method of contesting the airborne blade-mechanism was to simply avoid it, leaving it stuck in the wall previously. Yet, that failed to explain things: Why Was it active again, trying to randomly attack Tom specifically? What changed? Berta yelped loudly once again, but it seemed to signify pain rather then fear or shock unlike before.\n\nA strange, abnormal presence within the room made itself known. It was unusual and exuded a certain sense of Sinisterness Even to those less-versed with the concept. A near total change in the atmosphere, culminated in the sensed arrival of something overwhelmingly malevolent, It did not come from the Inn, however, and seemingly came from. . . Thomas himself. Such is the intended purpose of Presence as an ability, but he wasn't seeking to exude such a disturbing, powerful aura for conventional reasoning. Considering their nature, it was fathomable if not likely that it wouldn't affect the others at all. They also might just shoot him, especially if they recognized the SOUL type it descended from.\n\n_ _\nAs the reinvigorated flying blade approached at speeds no more faster then the mild, something Else Trailed right next to it at a similar pace. It seemed to be a kite-shaped, floating Shield, composed of an extremely dark-colored construction. Automatic Retaliation only enables in reaction the Strongest Attack of another force, but in the case of the sentient object, it only had One Manner of offensive pursuit, therefore it triggering by default. Moreover, it was not there to Stop The projectible, but rather to protect it from the likes of William, Athena and Shiro who may've well decided to whack it out of thin air instinctually. Any attack they released would be taken on by the shield itself, capable of handling multiple attacks provided they weren't excessively powerful.\n\nTom releases his grasp from railing, standing straight up as he calmly awaited the blade to approach absent of concern. Under the assumption it wasn't destroyed by the group, the shield maneuvered and easily Absorbed What would've been a possible hit just before it could reach Tom— hence his assurance— situating itself directly in front of him so as to prevent contact. It possessed durability similar to steel, as the weaponized clock-projectile weakly fell to the floor upon impact in a very anticlimactic fashion. That wasn't as cool as he thought it'd be, but whatever. \n\n``\"Let's make a deal, Cowboy.\"`` Tom bent down and picked up the again subdued blade. A very small look of satisfaction appeared on his face in reaction to noticing a distinct piece of Flesh Attached to the tip of its point. It wasn't his, obviously— but it was Berta's, because it had inadvertently done so in its attack. It's why he told her to move left, and also why she yelled in pain subsequently. Obviously, his words were directed towards William.\n\n_ _\n``\"If I'm wrong about this, you can put a bullet between my eyes. Clean shot.\"`` The self-proclaimed health inspector stands up, pointing the flesh-laden, presently lifeless blade at William himself, his tone confident— enough to literally put his life on it— having snidely obtained the oppertunity to prove himself correct. Perhaps the unsettling presence that now beamed off his shoulders alone was incentive for that suggestion, but it wasn't to say his demeanor was particularly different from what it was before. Regardless, he turns around, and waltzes over to Door 1-A lacking any level of clarity as to what his intentions were. He wanted Berta in her Entirety For this, but just a little piece of her would do.\n``PRESENCE: DISABLED.``" }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "The tension in the room was palpable, and Shiro had probably not done much to make it any better admittedly, but Someone Had to try and get cooler heads to prevail.\n\nHe grunted in response to William's apology, and listened as they began to try to move forward. Perhaps taking a breather wasn't a ba—\n\nHis calm broke once more as there was a whizzing going past him... And towards Brandt. Despite everything, he had been about to warn the man when all of a sudden the blade piece seemed to stop right in front of the him as he spoke, picking up the abruptly stopped blade and addressed William about \"Being right about something\".\n\nWhat was he planning?\n\nAs well as this, he had felt a sudden unease from Thomas that was not there before, and it troubled him, though he took no actions of aggression towards the man. They were all in this together after all.\n\nWithout the others and their prompting, he'd head up after Brandt, hoping the others would follow. \n\nIf this was a trick or trap, he'd make sure the man was rend to ashes." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Standing and watching Tom, William heard Shiro's grunt in response to his apology for calling him a hired gun. In truth, William couldn't care less what Shiro thought of him or whether he forgave him for his comment. His focus didn't change from Tom, even when the object came flying. He just watched, his eyes shifting and expressing no emotion but thought. He continued watching, no words spoken, only thoughts. It was then that Tom suggested that if he was wrong, William had permission to put a bullet through his head. This made a small smirk appear on his face, his hand reached for the handle of his revolver and he softly took it out, inspecting his service gun as he spoke, \"You know, your family tried doing that to me before. They wanted to tie up loose ends, almost got me too.\" He said as he motioned with his free hand to his left side before continuing, \"They couldn't get me though. I'll take you up on that little bet of yours.\" His voice sounded cold as he spoke. It was clear he was reverting back into his younger self, his tone, stance, and mentality shifting back into his pinkerton past. He then unlatched the cylinder of his revolver and checked his ammo, making sure he had a full cylinder. He closed it. The click of the latch is the only sound that could be heard from his person. He then walked towards the opening, pistol in hand." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "While lock picking, Athena would listen to everything going on then proceed to say in a apologetic yet absent towards berta:\n\n```\n\"Sorry about my friend threatening to kill you earlier. That was uncalled For even if i don't trust you. You also never answered my question... How did you get in here.\"\n```\n\nEventually she would stop lockpicking seeing that it wouldn't work. She would look around and see the two open doors.\n\n```\nfive of us, and two doors. We have to split up. I'll listen to everyone elses ideas before suggesting however.\n```\n\nShe would then proceed to say:\n\n```\n\"So what's the plan, if there is one.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"It was staring us in the face. Or rather, laying dead in front of us, literally.\"`` Tom swiftly turns around with the flesh-riddled blade in hand, narrowly walking over to door 1-A possessing intention to continue his explanatory tangent. He particularly made sure to hold out the clock piece in front of him, stretching his arm outwards and keeping the dulled weapon ahead of his movement. This served a vital purpose provided he was right, as he kept himself in place for a moment just across the door in order to clearly elaborate on his statement.\n\n``\"I'm gonna talk a bunch, so I'd hope you listen if you wanna live. Think of this place as a high-society museum, like a Paris exhibit showing all the antiques we pretend to not have colonized and stole from the Natives. The arcade death-machine claws and psycho clock are it's super advanced security systems for the real valuable stuff you find the deeper you go. Both systems function fundamentally by discerning and eliminating any possible threats to the Inn itself, which presents the core issue. Then it hit me.\"``\n\n_ _\n*``eerRKKTT—``\n\nNot long after, the overly-familiar sound of the metal wiring belonging to the claws that lurked throughout the Inn quickly become deafeningly audible. From the prevailing darkness above 1-A's stairwell, nearly identical to 1-B and probably 1-C in all likelihood, came in a claw that rampantly approached Thomas about two or three steps downwards. With powerful force and incredible speed much like beforehand, it—\n\nStopped.* Not dead on, because the claw shock rather violently in place as if trying to break free, but it physically refused to go any lower so as to attack or grab Tom whatsoever. It continued to do, amplifying the sound of the grinding metal, and yet it remained stuck in place. It was physically incapable of going any further, and eventually, after several loud moments, it stopped moving altogether. He stands still, staring at the dormant claw, and then alas continuing after the noisiness cleared up. Bingo.\n\n_ _\nTom finds his way back from the bottoming darkness of the stairwell, revealing himself to the group with the blade in hand. The previously still claw begins to move, but shoots back upwards into the ceiling rather then to imitate an attack from the distance it was at. He goes on. ``\"The clock and the claws work together, but contradict one another. One sacrifices deterrence for detection, and the other, detection for deterrence. Claws are way tougher, but also less effective at discerning threats. It'll prioritize the first thing that comes in its range, unlike the clock, that prioritized a brand new, shiny boy-threat and tries its very best to get its attention like a new crush at school. Had to turn her down for that smoking hot cheerleader, Miranda.\"`` He remarks with a joke at the end, and then turns to Shiro, holding out the blade to him. Just seemed like the right guy for the job— of the three of them, he was probably the most reliable. William might shoot it thinking it was a Vietcong soldier, and Athena would try to unlock it or something. Actually, he still doesn't know their names, does he? Thank goodness for that.\n\n_ _\nAssuming Shiro accepted the item, Tom would breeze past the three towards the third doorway, his goals set on being in separate groups. Obviously, he didn't need to take a piece of her flesh because he could bring the real thing. One may think that it'd be ill-advised to risk her life in such a way, but clearly, she had more uses then to be a sitting duck here. Besides, she wanted to join this investigation, why should he deny her the chance? Chances are she had value here, and it was his civil duty to die for her anyhow. On an unrelated note: that crazy chick from earlier was Actually Sort of right. Who woulda thought? Too bad she's probably dead as a doorknob, alongside the other one. Or was it two? ``\"Use the blade to get through 1-A. Me and Berta will go through 1-C, because I don't trust the Cowboy to not shoot her, and she's an innocent civilian under my watch, per this investigation. He so cleverly deduced I worked for an agency, so I'm sure you know I'm not lying.\"``\n\n_ _\nThat said, there was something he needed to get off his chest in relation to the group. A disconnected understanding existed between them, and he sought to rectify that bluntly. Sure, they were idiots, but they deserved to know. He soon turned back around, stopping near 1-C to say his piece. ``\"Let's get one thing straight. I don't care what happens to you, and I expect you to reciprocate that notion, because I'm a stranger. I am not part of your investigation, and you are not part of mine. Our actions and well-beings do not belong to one another. That girl downstairs, however, is my responsibility according my job's code of adherence, and therefore I am professionally obligated to put my life on the line for her. Those guys before weren't. That's how this works, and you should really try being more selfish. We're made that way.\"`` \n\nAnd then There was that, with what William said. He couldn't not address it. ``\"And you. I don't buy your story, but let's say it's true for a moment. If you were really doing slug jobs for my relatives back then, you're twice the bastard I am. And I gotta know your skincare routine, because you're old as hell. But who knows? If you manage to live through this, I'm sure we'll have lots to talk about. Share some made-up war stories, why don't ya?\"`` Despite his remarks, there was a hint of increased anger and resentment in his tone that wasn't exactly akin to his typically composed annoyance. He was wholeheartedly pissed off that it was brought up. Really, any discussion about what corrupt elites in his family before him did or didn't do was irritating. The good thing about working in Pacifica was that not a soul knew a thing about the Brandt Family, usually. He worked hard to keep his expression somewhat neutral.\n\n_ _\nThe moment Tom turned around, he looked straight to the ground, sharply burrowing his head downwards. He was concealing the contorted look on his face, because exhibiting that expression outwardly was indicative of losing composure at work in a high pressure situation. Can't have that, won't have that, no matter how much old business is is brought up and fails to leave him alone. The fact that this bothered him implied it was a continued weakness, an exploitable fault, because in truth, he wasn't prepared for the discussion. He lowly growls, and then looks over past the railing— motioning with his hand for Berta to come upstairs, who had said nothing during the exchange it seems. It was time to get going." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "It was high time for the group to leave the main lobby to wherever their hearts desired between the two options they had. With the loophole discovered, they could continue through each doorway. What 1-A or 1-C held beyond the claws that guarded them was uncertain, but it was more then sticking around here. The five of them could decide if they had any unfinished business if they so choose. If not, entry awaited. There were still numerous threats to be handled in the near future considering they hadn't even gotten to the essential portion of the Inn or mystery just yet, and ensuring that they were armed and prepped for what was next would be wise. There was no going back now." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Before continuing on, he stopped to listen to what Tom was speaking about, his face showed no emotion as he listened to the so called Health inspector speak but that was until the mention of the fake war stories and being called old. His face showed an expression that was between a smirk and anger, he turned his head towards Tom and spoke, voice clear but smokey, \"Damn right I'm more of a bastard than you, why do you think they hired me? But that's what happens when you're a Pinkerton. You become a hired gun for the highest bidder, but I didn't have any say in it. It was either do the job or get sent back to prison for a crime I didn't commit\" This final sentence had a tone of guilt in his voice, but he took a moment before continuing, \"You call my stories fake, that's fine but go say that to the men buried in México, in the fields of Europe. I know I'm a bad man, but your family, Brandt, they were worse. They supplied us with guns, and they sold those same guns to the same men who we fought. They knew about faults in the mine but didn't fix it, that cost the lives of 48 miners, each one had a family. They only cared for money, and they didn't care who it killed, and I was forced to be their killer. That was until the end of my life, and now I'm here, working for her.\" He said, nudging his head towards Athena, \"I'm still a bad man but your family. Hell, they were the devil.\"\n\nHis voice was calm and collected, his stance allowed a fast draw, and if Tom or anyone else decided to make a move against him or Athena, then William would make quick work of them. \"Y'all might get me in a rush, but not before I blow your shit for brains across that wall. And about me being old? Well, i was born in 1894, but I'm only 33.\" His voice shifted to a jokingly tone and a small smirk tugging at the edge of his lips, he turned to continue his way, making way to the 1-A door, he nudged Athena with his boot, a clear invitation for her to join him. \"Oh, by the way, Brandt. If you think you're faster than me, well you ain't. Others went for fame and fortune but me. Well, there's a reason it took an entire police force and multiple agents to finally cut me down.\" A clear nod to his so-called death in 1927, but it was also clear he took notice of Tom's reaction to the mention of his family. Maybe he could use it against him if he tried anything. He stepped out of way of the claws and made his way into the room." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "With some reservations, Shiro stood resolute as Brandt turned and began addressing those who followed him, a lot of the references went over his head, but Shiro had to acquiesce in that his logic was sound, even if a bit crude.\n\nHe'd step forward, more for their mutual safety than suspicion, as Brandt did the same. Shiro readied himself as the sound of metal echoed from above and his axe was nearly upon the nearest claw to him before they suddenly stopped abruptly as had the clockpiece before. They shook, clearly wanting to be free and attack, but they'd eventually cease.\n\nShiro listened as Brandt continued, mentally eyerolling as the man bemoaned their lack of faith in him, but even still his logic about the Inn's threat assessment kept proving sound, \n\nMore crude jokes, but then Brandt would do something unexpected... In handing the blade directly to him.\n\nGiving it to him for... Protective purposes? Seemed beneath Brandt in how Shiro had read him so far, but perhaps... He was too quick to judge.\n\nThe man was crass, and what the people of this world would probably call \"An asshole\", but he was tactical, logical, even if he was somewhat brutal and sharp about it.\n\nAccepting the blade, Shiro would begin to ask about how Brandt Planned to stay safe, when he explained he'd take Berta with him to Room C. Shiro felt a bit of unease at this given the hurling of insults he slew at the woman earlier, but it would subside. The man had his head on straight and Shiro felt that he wouldn't throw her to the metaphorical wolves.\n\nThen, again unexpectedly, Brandt would make his feeling concerning them clear. Ones Shiro had already deduced.\n\nBrandt's assessment of them and what they should do and act didn't sit well with Shiro, but the man could think what he wished so long as he kept Berta safe and furthered their mission.\n\nHe would mostly ignore Brandt and William's back-and-forth, a past he had no interest in learning more about, at least for the current moment.\n\nInstead as Brandt and Roberta went off, Shiro would follow Detective Rojas into 1-A, brandishing the piece as he did so.\n\n```\n\"Take care to heed caution, this clock piece may stop the claws but there may be other dangers lurking in the dark.\"\n\n```\n\nHe said this not particularly to anyone, and those with him likely already knew this, but he felt he had to break the silence.\n\n\nOr the tension at least.\n\nHe'd prepare his fire magic in case of an attack, and his axe was always quick to draw." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "With matters settled, Shiro, William and Athena could indeed enter 1-A without issue. A similar sequence of a rogue claw lowering, only to abruptly stop once Shiro set foot and eventually stop moving altogether transpired much like what was demonstrated earlier. The descending staircase and accompanying darkness once past the doorway could finally be conquered by the three, whereas Thomas and Berta joined together at 1-C for their own route. Alas, after about an hour or so enduring surprise attack, opposing conclusions and general disharmony amongst one another (largely thanks to one person in particular, granted), they could move on from the main lobby, having free rein to traverse into the unlighted mystery that was the rest of the Inn. It wasn't nearly as small as its exterior implied to be, not at all, but such is the nature of this magically accursed endeavor." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "Thomas waited until there were no longer any other footsteps in the main lobby other then Roberta, who was making her way back upstairs. When he looked back up, that abnormal expression he was seemingly trying to conceal was quickly gone. Something else, however, was on his mind, and it was much more problematic then what the Cowboy just brought up, even if it was surprising. Something that could be a long term issue within the context of this investigation, and has been since close to the second he walked in. He had a deeply puzzled look.\n\nTom did not care this deeply about what his family did or didn't do in the past. He hasn't in years, because that's essentially what he spent his youth doing— getting over it, among other things. Maybe ten, fifteen years ago, what was said by the Cowboy would've really grinded his gears, but not now. The main and important distinction between them and him was that he was a lot better at his job, probably because he has no ulterior motive associated with political agenda or financial gain. Boring stuff, but that was enough for him on top of the fact that everyone is kind of evil anyway or should be, citing his ideology. Some more, some less, doesn't matter. Verbatim. The only shocking aspect was that someone in Pacifica knew about it, and that William's story, for as insane as he sounded, could be. . . True, despite what he said. That's a topic for another day.\n\n_ _\nSo, what gives? Why did he react like That? Putting himself in a vulnerable, compromised position within a professional setting? That Cowboy has been itching to pull the trigger, and that was something he could use against him seemingly, except that it Shouldn't Be. In any normal situation, that wouldn't have happened, and this hasn't been the only time. Earlier, Tom didn't notice the clock forming on the wall. Put Berta in harms way to prove something, even if minimal. He let those three idiots get caught when the fact of the matter is that while he really doesn't care for their well-being, odds of his Own Survival and solving the case would've increased had they been alive. Hell, they could still be meat shields for all he cared at some point, but not just Yet. Or was he just being too critical? He did say to 'use caution', after all. \n\nTom ignored the voice recording when there could've very well been something to it, and forgot about Berta hiding behind the bookshelf. Even his digs and jokes at Alexis were unfunny, for that sake. All highly uncharacteristic. . . And something was off with him. No, not just him. His Mind. Something in here was messing with his thinking, targeting it directly. He could sense it. It was supposed to be impenetrable, like his body.\n\nHis mind is the backbone of his work. It is the key to his success, instrumental to his value as an agent. Doesn't matter how many gunshots to the chest you can take if you can't figure out a way to get back at the gunmen. If he can't process and discern information properly, that's a significant hurdle. The only other person he can rely on in that sense is Berta, and she's probably crappy at it all things considered. In a place like this, nobody can afford poor judgement regardless of how strong they are. There Had To be something doing this to him. A spell? An affinity? Some kind of affect similar to what was happening with his movement just now triggering? Something, Something. . .\n\n_ _\nWell, he can't just think it through, can he? That's probably not gonna work out, no matter how self-aware he tries to be. Leaving isn't an option, obviously, and it would be hard for him to do so even if it was. The only thing he can do right now is keep pushing forward and have Roberta check his logic when needed. That really didn't add a lot of security, but that was the best possible thing he could do right now. On one hand, this case was proving to be increasingly interesting— yet on the other, he dreaded the idea of having a non-lucid mind. It's not about being some cunning genius or the smartest in the room, regardless of the fact that he entirely believed those things. It was about effectiveness. Being in control, unless it was caused by. . . That. He didn't want to think of the possibility, but it was entirely viable. The worst case scenario at the worst possible time." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\". . .Are you alright?\" Interrupting his vexing conundrum was the voice of the Mancini daughter, who had made her way back upstairs as he requested. She removed her poncho, revealing a gray long-sleeve shirt underneath.\n\nShe had a slight cut on her right arm based on the blood stain observable through said shirt, but didn't look to make a fuss about it given that it served a purpose favorable to her. It was to help save her mother, and for that, she had no reason to complain about a tiny wound. Instead, Berta was more worried about Tom's condition considering everything that went on with William, even with her mother's life in the balance. She had some thoughts about it, and was sympathetic in a unique way." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\". . .Something in here is causing me to slip up. Make poor decisions, illogical assessments. I don't know what, how or why, but I need you from this point forward to cross-examine every single judgement I make. Everything. Nothing goes unchecked. I can't save your mom if I'm wrong.\"`` Tom turned to Berta, his tone lacking that typical snark or quick-witted edge. There was a contrasting dullness and firm-adjective, but the main thing was that he was relaying a considerable amount of faith in a civilian. Regardless of how capable or intelligent she was, this was the best thing he could do. It isn't to say he wouldn't also think twice before doing things, though.\n\n``\"I would've said something about the blade, but I was kind of in a pickle. Feel free to take a stab at me, if you can do it without hurting yourself. Andiamo— and stay behind me.\"`` Andiamo, a common way to say 'lets get going' in Italian. Speaking of that, before his maneuver, he considered instructing Roberta in her native language, but chose against doing so feeling it would give the group too much time to react. A good example of a poor idea that he was able to reject, which was some evidence that he could endure whatever was screwing with his head. Incidentally, his second statement quickly readopted his usual intonation." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "The Mancini daughter quickly nodded, and began to approach door 1-C. She understood that She Was needed to progress through the Inn, or her flesh, but hadn't the faintest idea why. The man's comments earlier about her uselessness. . . Well, he did say his mind was compromised. Perhaps it was merely in the heat of the moment, as was the conversation surrounding his family. If he didn't wish to speak of it, she perfectly understood that. She somewhat questioned why he not just leave her here and take another piece of her body, but then again, would oppose that idea. She couldn't just wait here and do nothing. He made her realize that, after all. She did not understand the joke.\n\nRoberta took a few steps into the stairwell of 1-C, descending into its darkness. Then, suddenly, a Claw Emerged from the ceiling, which caught her off-guard despite the fact that this was supposed to happen. However, nearly identical to the situation in 1-A, it came to a slow, gradual stoppage. She put her hand on her chest, sighing, and continued to progress downstairs. She felt a hand on her shoulder— which was Tom maneuvering so as to get in front of her. Like he said, stay behind, and make sure to help on his decisions." } ]	432.5	48,986
575.25	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "rszo", "message": "``Was it over?``\n\nArlet was alive. Or was she? No, this wasn't quite being 'alive' in the conventional sense. She was somewhere else familiar and yet all to different, having regained full access to her body. It was no longer mangled at the neck region, nor was their any slight of injury from what she endured no less then five minutes ago. Even her usage of her Abilities Was totally clean state, despite the energy she had exerted in the attempt to thwart the claw. Her body would feel lithe, strong, and hues of orange and blue floated around her. The strange, extraordinary feeling of the added weight on the Inn was also gone— indeed, it was if she was transported elsewhere. A realm in-between realms, perhaps. . . A Purgatory. She wasn't alive, but also not dead yet. The middle-ground of fate, but why? A second chance? A dream? A state of mind entering death? A function of the Inn? There was no clear explanation. \n\nFor a temporary period, she could see nothing, but eventually a world formed around her. It was the outside of the Mancini Inn, the exterior of the world surrounding it— but not quite. Everything was Grayscale, from the sky to the people, and it didn't feel. . . Real. Like a distant memory or a dream gaining semi-awareness, all the chanting civilians outside opened their mouths, and yet made no noise. Their faces were blurred out, as were the faces of the group— William, Shiro, Athena, Tom, Starbi, Alexis and Roberta— far across from where she stood. Arlet was behind the yellow tape, but there was no image of herself within the recollection of the moment they arrived at the crime scene. It was eerily silent, and everyone— all things, really, moved in slow motion. A pace that the time of wherever she really was could not follow accurately, distorted by the uncertainty of the realm itself. A place of disharmony and false reality.\n\n```\n\"WHO. ARE. YOU. WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHY DO YOU STAND?\"\n```\nA sudden voice emerged from the empty, dulled skies above her. Arlet could move, run, jump, scream and shout. The tone of said voice was indiscernible as the sensation of the world around her, but she could easily make-out what it said. It asked a series of questions that did not seem to relate to the context at hand— although nothing could really relate to whatever was happening right now, in the end. She could answer if she wanted, seeing as ignoring it as opposed to interacting with the fracture of the world she had access too didn't seem like a plentiful alternative. They were the sort of questions that provoked thought in a thoughtless realm. As its inquires were made, a faint, yet noticeable dark blue light filled the sky. It was identical, if she had noticed at any point, to that cube within the void of claws she was in moments before supposed death. Otherwise, it was meaningless." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "Her fingertips have grown cold.\nIt is her sight that deteriorates first. The vibrancy of the world dissolves into an achromatic blur.\nThe last to fade is the slowing pulse of the heart. The overwhelming fatigue of the body clutches it unto death.\nThis sensation is familiar to her, frighteningly so. Each time is more awful than the last.\nHer strength has been stolen from her. It dwindles with each fading heartbeat. And it will die when it finally goes still.\nBut it seems, this time, that it will not start again.\n\n`...It's over...`\n\nShe was not a stranger with Death. She had visited it, knocked upon its door and crossed its precipice, met and felt its cold embrace. She had tread her string bound taut to the loom of fate — walked the thin thread between life and death — and passed from one side to the other and back again, many, many times. She had delved deeper into that darkness than perhaps any living being had ever delved before. She had seen it and found it was an impermeable void — an abyss embodying complete and total emptiness; a sumtotal of every shortcoming, failure, and defect that constituted her flawed life. She had felt, seen, touched and experienced it, and yet still persisted in living.\n\n*`I failed.`\n\nEach time she challenged life, she failed, and then, again, found Death, waiting.\nDeath was the only mirror that could reflect who she truly was; it showed her and everything she could not accomplish.\nBut it still had not taken her yet—it Could not* Take her yet—she *Would not* Let it take her yet.\nThis was the truth that defined the core of everything Arlet was, and amidst her many weaknesses, was her greatest—\n\n```fix\n\"...Fuck.\"```\n\n_ _\nArlet broke from the deluge as one who had succumbed to drowning suddenly thrust onto land. Immediately as she retained her waking conscience, her hands felt their way to her throat, clasping tight around the dry skin that was just minutes ago drenched with the outpour of blood. A vivid sense of discomfort shot through her body as her pupils honed to a pinpoint, shooting across the monochromatic landscape; she couldn't help but curse upon her arrival.\n\n```fix\n\"...Starbi?\"```\n\nFamiliar forms without familiar faces. The world moved slowly around her, and she could not shake the uncanny sensation that churned her gut and piqued her instinct. Nothing here felt right.\n\n```fix\n\"...Not dead yet, huh...?\"```\n\nArlet did not believe in Heaven, and especially did not believe in \"Limbo\". Even if there was life after death for her, she was absolutely and unequivocally headed straight to Hell. Within moments of arriving in the disharmonious, grayscale world, she had already determined it an illusion — perhaps in some part aided by her profound understanding of death. While the sense of unease did not fade, she exhaled deeply, releasing with her breath all the consternation entrapped within. \n\nHer eyes shot to the sky as she heard the voice, her hand naturally finding its place upon her hip.\n```fix\n\"Hey,\" She called back, her tone coarse and full of obstinance. The flickering, orange hue about her strengthened, as a brazen smile turned upon her lips.\n\"My name is Arlet.\"\n\"I'm here to 𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘴𝘴. Come down and fight me.\"```" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "``\"YOU WILL JOIN US. US. US.\"``\n\nThe voice from the gray,. Dull skies above within the realm of uncertain limbo replies after initial silence, repeating and echoing the 'us' at the end of its statement. What that eluded too was not immediately clear, but that changed rather quickly. Shortly, the ground beneath Arlet begins to shake— it begins moderate, slow, before rapidly intensifying, more then enough to knock one off balance even with her physical abilities after about fifteen seconds of amplification, though halting its increase at that point in and of itself. This wouldn't be Nearly As striking as what was happening in front of her, however; in the blink of an eye, all of those figures who appeared in front of the reconstructed Inn, from the blanked out protestors, offices and the group replica, vanished. Gone, nowhere to be seen, no indication, motion nor reasoning as to why. . . Until they were visible again, suddenly.\n\nAn excessively large shadow began to cover the hollow sky, towering vertically albeit not directly above Arlet. There was no warning nor clarity as to how or when it formed, but it took on a ring-like, circular formation that was hollowed in the middle. It spun, much in fashion to the now steadily shaking ground, growing in its aggression and pace. It was mostly gray in appearance, but upon no doubt seamless inspection, however, it appeared to be comprised of. . . People. Not just any people, either— those who had disappeared from the ground next to the Inn, for one, and Also A large number of bodies representing those that had been killed in the Inn, not that she recognized who they were. O.S.A. Agents, sorcerers, private freelancers. It was a giant pile of animate humanoid figures, constructing a cycling ring that needless to say did not seem friendly in nature. The inn and the crime scene did remain, but vacant. It didn't seem to matter that as far as she knew, those outside and her group weren't dead, unlike nearly everyone else staggered with them.\n\n``\"YOUR SOUL IS OURS. IT BELONGS TO US. US. US.\"``\n\nThe noise it emits from above is nearly deafening in tandem with the ground that disallowed Arlet to stand, and yet it still hums sentiments from its previous statement loud enough so as to be heard, probably because the figures that comprised the ring also uttered the same words, mixing the skies lack of tone with a combination of contrasting, devolving intonations. This is what she had requested— to come down and 'fight' her. Unfortunately, she was not clued in on the fact that her opponent was not singular, and in fact was the opposite of that. All of the sudden, the ring attempts to accelerate itself downwards towards her position—\n\n``BANG!``\n\nYet another equally overpowering sound comes about. Its likewise to that of a Gunshot, however— and as Starbi's weapon fires from nowhere identifiable, despite not landing an observable hit in the conventional sense, the ring of bodies almost immediately loses its integrity. The conjoined pile of figures separate and collapsed, entering freefall from the sky and essentially raining down on Arlet like a flesh-laden downpour, hitting the ground like flies swatted. Moreover, the shaking of the ground that once prevented her from maintaining balance decreased enough so as to enable her to overcome that, now being perfectly manageable. She could stand, no long powerless, and more importantly maneuver the storm. \n\n``\"US. US-US-US-US——- RIGHT. RIGHT. RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT.\"``\n\nBut they weren't 'dead', or subdued just yet. Those that had fallen after a few moments seemed to remobilize, though not standing up— rather, they Crawled Towards Arlet, akin to a massive, mindless hoard of the undead. They continued to speak in unison with intent to harm, yet adding another term into the mix that was even less coherent then the echoing 'us' it had been using, and the voices were different. Regardless, Arlet's enemies faced her now." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "I'll post after i get caught up with the like\n\nIm not caught up with" } ]	710	2,301
618.333333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "Down the stairwell of 1-C, Tom and Roberta's brief journey forward was not unsimilar to what the three in the other accessible doorway went through. It was dark, the steps came to an eventual stop and the hallway narrowed, leading to an entryway elsewhere. The main difference was that unlike Shiro's group, their passage was a normal door excluding that blue light, akin to the ones in the main lobby excluding the whole evil deathtrap claw aspect that was circumnavigated curtsey of the Mancini Daughter and her defectiveness. That said, it wasn't to say that Tom got to said door without being extremely annoyed by his tragic partner, not at all. \n\n\"Was it true what he said about your family?\" ``\"Sounds like them. Don't really care if it was.\"``\n\"Is he really from the 1800s, that time?\" ``\"Y'know, I really wish we could go back to that time so I could hit you without getting in trouble. I don't know yet, and again, I don't care. If it was relevant, I would.\"``\n\"Is your family why your doing this job? To help other families\" ``No. I do my job because I get paid. With money. As people with jobs do in most developed countries.\"``\n\"But what he said seemed to bother you. . .\" ``\"I specifically told you the place is messing with my head. I'd say it's messing with yours as well, but that's a pretty good excuse for being a moron, right? Lucky you!\"``\n\"How does your eye glow like that?\" ``\"Double-A batteries up my ass, feels great. Is that the answer you wanted? How crude do I get before you shut up?\"``\n\n_ _\nJust a few examples of her Nagging Questions, each more irritating and useless then the last. Why do idiots like her insist on satiating their curiosity by implementing elementary questionnaires? At least when He Was interested in something, he used experiments, proposed theories, lead to outcomes that would reveal what he wanted to know— and she just asks him, straight up, expecting anything revealing from it, not to mention the topics were incredibly uninteresting. Who cares about his life? Was this really the time to make 'conversation', or whatever? The worst part is when he rebuttaled with one of his own that was actually worth asking, her answer dwindled it down to as equally boring. \n\n``\". . .You didn't really seem upset that I stabbed you without permission. That's lawsuit worthy. You're definitely broke.\"`` \". . .Well, it was for a cause that was good. It's okay.\"\n\nYeuughh. The most boring person in the history of persons. Should he even help her save mommy? He'd be leaving Mother Mancini with a daughter that has the personality of a cardboard box. Seriously, who asks these questions while on a hunt to save someone who supposedly means everything to them? To kill time? To be fair, he'd probably do something like this given the incentive, but at least his reasoning is mostly practical— as in he doesn't care about anyone— or at the very least executed better. She was bored, and her solution to that was to make things More Boring. Loser. He was really starting to regret indebting himself to her safety, even if it was his duty.\n\n_ _\n. . .Nonetheless, Tom came to a stop once his ``Eyes Of Providence`` illuminated the basic wooden door from his serpent-eye, emanating a yellow glow so as to light up their pathway so far. The moment he got into the stairwell, he had both hands on his .1911 placed in front of him, ready to fire on any sudden attacks as with the nature of the Inn thus far. His Batman-esque utility belt could also come in handy with all his AIC gadgets and doo-hickeys. Berta hunched over right behind him effectively following instruction, and once they reached the door, her questions ended. Freedom! Rejoice! The urge to shoot her in the head had left him alas. It would've been so easy, too.\n\n``\"Okay, I'm gonna breach. That means I break the door down. Stay behind me. Don't do something stupid. Actually, just do nothing.\"`` Tom would place his shoulder against the measly door, planting his body against the wall. Whatever was behind this door could realistically just grab him out of thin air like it was nothing, but at least he was expecting that now, and Berta wouldn't be subject to it so long as he was here to take the fall provided she in fact did not do anything stupid. If not, case moves on. \n\n``\"On go. Not 3. Go.\"``" }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "The Mancini Daughter nodded, continuing to stay behind him as he prepared to breach. His words were harsh, but. . . Well, that was that, really. He was right about numerous things, to be fair; her questions were unfounded and not helpful right now, and she was only asking them because she was a little. . . Nervous. She also felt it polite to inquire about the man who is dedicating himself to protecting her, but clearly he wasn't into that sort of thing. Perhaps this was a, 'read the room' moment, as they say? She wasn't too good at that, admittedly.\n\nAs said earlier, Roberta did have thoughts about everything. Were his motivations stemming from something personal, like hers were? He seems strictly professional, but does one die for professional means for another? That was hard to believe, though maybe she hadn't seen enough of the world and it's people to really understand something like that. The stock, blood sweat and tears, grinding effort that people put into their work can often be remarkable, outright unbelievable. It meant everything to them. It was kind of like her father, before he died.\n\n\"Wait! I have something. . .\" Before Thomas could enter his countdown, she remembered what she had done while downstairs before things got heated. She shoveled through her pockets and pulled out what was undoubtedly his Flask. . . But it was not empty, indicated by her shaking it. It was almost completely full, because she had somehow found the time to do exactly that just before they left, and also telling him only now. She. . . Forgot. Maybe he was right about that, too.\n\n\". . .Outside. . . One of my friends, he drinks. I was holding it for him, but got stuck inside. So. . . Here, I filled yours with his for you. He won't be out when I get back. It does not help him like you.\"" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"What now?—\"`` \n\nOh. It's his flask. His beautiful, gorgeous silver flask. Tom sort of blankly stared, and then at the drinking container. She did realize she was giving alcohol to a gunmen? Way too much trust to put in a stranger. In most cases, this would truly be an utterly moronic, insane idea. Again, she was Lucky That he is one of the few people in this world that such logic simply does not apply. If anything, it was helpful, and ironically, it would illogical to not take what she was offering as far as satisfying the needs of an alcoholic having not taken a sip in some time. Another good deed from a person with a 'kind' heart. Just awful stuff. There was something else, though.\n\n``\". . . That's convenient.\"`` Tom commented, as he took the flask from her hands. He squinted at her in brief thought, before continuing. She was lying. This was hers for sure. Didn't pin her as a drinker, but. . . ``\"We'll share. I might have to give you my gun at some point, so don't overdo it.\"`` That was oddly nice of him, wasn't it? What better to bridge the gap of a compassionless man then booze? In any case, he nodded and took a small sip. Bourbon? She's drinking This? Man, she must really like her parents, or hate them. This wasn't just some shoehorn beer— this was Hard Liquor, and frankly he was shocked they even had this in Caeli Noctis. \n\nTom slipped the flask into his dress shirt pocket, and reacclimated himself to the wall in order to prepare for breaching. What he said wasn't a joke; there was a likely probability that he'd need to exchange his weapon with her, to which it would be prefered if she did not accidentally shoot his eye out. He had a personal backup, of course, and as implied, alcohol does not affect him in the same way it does most normal or even abnormal humans." } ]	444	1,855
387.894737	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "rszo", "message": "Sunday, 8:45 PM. \n\nThe scene is in utmost disarray at the now disheveled Marcellus Mancini Inn, once a humble, reliable establishment belonging to the Caritas district, with many prying eyes observing as bystanders below yellow tape and opposing forces in what has been a four day-long stalemate. The weather was Still Rancid, drowsy and freezing cold, buckets pouring out of an ugly, gray sky, the atmosphere maintaining a palpable hostility that showed no signs of relenting until the looming verdict was issued. A jarringly disharmonious sight in the otherwise enlightened city of Caeli Noctis, typically unified by God's will, and yet, it was God Who very well caused this, at least as far as some people were concerned.\n\nIt was fairly basic tug of war in nature; the mortal fate of perceivably kindhearted Ms. Mancini, the widow of Mr. Mancini, rested on the hinges of a multi-murder accusation, thus beckoning those who believed her guilty, and those who did not, to come forward and stake their claims through action. The latter belief was led by their offspring, Roberta Mancini, and a band of protestors she had gathered situated around the Inn itself for several years— even withstanding harsh weather conditions that persisted at this very moment— in a bid not only to prevent its destruction, issued by the Vicariate, but to stay what they believe is an unlawful execution lacking sufficient evidence in favor of baseless accusation. The church alleges Ms. Mancini to the killer of five members of the brotherhood, believes her to be a Covenantor as the justification for her ability to dispose of powerful magicians in such a way, and sentences her to death via Mano Benedetta, scheduled for Monday at noon. Time was running out, and the inevitable remained unchanged.\n\nWhat did that look like now, exactly? In front of the Inn that had grown visibly filthy and decrepit in a matter of short days— plausibly a by-product of the church's statement that it was 'infected' from the inside by 'demonic forces', hence a desire to destroy it— sat about 8 individuals in collective unison, most of which who wore yellow ponchos as to combat the downpour. Written in red marker on these ponchos was an Italian phrase: 'La Chiesa ha mentito', translating into English simply as, 'The Church Lied'. They refused to move from the cobblestone steps of the inn, but were not violent, nor especially loud, albeit the latter was something they did do at times. Upon focused inspection, many of them looked sickly and weary, or had uncertain expressions on their face, including but not limited to Roberta herself. Her poncho was a dark red, and the marker she used was black, having wrote 'Diavola' On it alongside the initial phrase as to embrace the demonization from others, a drastically far cry from praying to the lord the other day. Some had thrown things at them, and were even trying to do so within the immediate moment, tossing bottles and such, but others had tried to help or joined temporarily, only to leave— the original number of protestors was 25, now dwindled to less then half. Without opening their mouths, they exchanged glares with the several policemen a few feet across from them who were specifically instructed to not use physical force by superiors, namely due to the fact that beyond the barricade tape stood a critical, hectic crowd. These people were Not Quiet, and shouted an array of Italian insults and verbal deformities at the officers, some who called them cowards for bending to the knees of the church, and others who claimed them heretics for not ridding of the supplementers of evil surrounding the motel. A small amount church members and magicians also stood by to ensure nothing came out of order, host to especially nasty glares at those protesting. A rabid, uproarious scene indeed, as the intensity of the rain grew alongside hostile chatter. Bringing an umbrella would be wise.\n\n_ _\nIt would be simple and quick to demolish the small, wilting Inn, whether using magic or machinery, but if her mother was going to die, Roberta would at least defend the legacy of hers and her fathers by using her body, and others, as a shield— it wasn't the consolation prize she hoped for, frankly. One could argue that protesting wasn't actually helping at all, and some believed her to be a dramatic coward unwilling to discover the truth herself, or, maybe, that she didn't Want To. Incidentally, so long as documentation was filled prior, private investigations and freelancers who sought after whatever benefit, be it correcting injustice, the truth, or the Cash Reward offered by the combined pool of those fighting for the Inn, could be allowed in by police. They were, perhaps, the only real hope of preventing the woman's death, or at the very least finding conclusive evidence as to give real closure to the situation. Yet, the dangers of consequences were vaguely advertised, as several of those seeking the following within the Inn itself had Not Returned. Something sinister was afoot, and the mana that emanated from the presumably unvacated Inn was. . . Strange. One thing was for sure, and that was the fact that Inn had more to it then meets the eye. The lights were still at what was the reception area, as observable through its dirtied windows, which didn't make sense, because the electricity was cut off a while ago." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena having heard about this drama all the way in Sanctum mesa thought this would be not only a good way to get money, but also something to do since the business was still slow unfortunately. She would have invited William to join in on the investigation when she first heard about it, not only because more eyes looking would be handy but also because you never know who you can trust. In preparation she brought some of her detective tools like a lockpicking kit and black gloves which she was currently wearing and remembered to bring some personal items like her phone, wireless earbuds, Wallet with her ID and her apartment keys... She doesn't want to have to lockpick her way into her own apartment again. She was wearing her usual outfit but instead of a Navy blue turtleneck she was wearing a white button up shirt and red tie. As much as she didn't care for the rain, she was quite cold... Maybe she should have brought a umbrella. Arriving at the Inn she would definitely notice the multiple figures in ponchos with writing on them, though she would have no idea what the writing says. She had also heard about the execution, as she walks she would maneuver around the figures, making her way towards the police and thinks to herself\n\n```\nPoor gal, being sentenced to death without trial. That's the problem with the justice system and the world in general, they just believe the first thing they hear with no proof or evidence. I have to get to the bottom of this, for their sake... Or for the town's sake.\n```\n\nShe has already decided that she would not be playing around with this, there was at least one life at on the line after all. Once she gets to the policemen, she would pull out her phone and pull up the documentation which would hopefully allow her inside the Inn, She would also pull out her wallet unfolding it showing her Freelance detective ID saying\n\n```\n\"I'm here to investigate the premises. Would one of you allow me to enter the building, here's my documentation and proof of identification.\"\n```\n\nShe is excited for this adventure that awaits her, way better then binging anime waiting for something... Anything to happen like she normally does when not doing anything. Plus it'll keep her detective skills sharp and her brain sharper." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Walking through the streets and the crowd clearly not being bothered by the rain, he accompanies Athena with her investigation into the Inn. William is wearing his usual outfit but with a few slight modifications, he's wearing M43 combat boots rather than his original pair that he arrived in, brown jeans and a black vest over his white shirt, he is still wearing a brown gunfighter coat and his signature hat. Due to his recent experience with the people of Unity and their abilities, William decided to find and bring new equipment along with his old one's. He is now carrying a M3 combat knife in his sheath, a small medkit on the back of his belt, a wallet that holds his new ID, given to him by Athena, and what Athena called a \"Flip phone\", the newest object that William has on his person is what seems to be a Star Model BM pistol inside a shoulder holster hidden under his coat along with his 1917 Smith on his right hip. As the rain continues to fall and drip off the brim of his hat, William thinks to himself about the case and if he's ready to continue being a detective, he's gotten more accustomed to the modern world as well as his new companions being Starbi and Athena, he still chooses to keep his distance towards them both. Adjusting the rifle sling on his shoulder he walks up with Athena pulling out his new ID stating, \"I'm here to accompany this lady and aid in her investigation of the premises, we have another person joining us in our investigation, they go by the name Starbi.\" He says in a tone of professionalism.\n\nTurning his attention to the man who just arrived on the bike and glancing at the axe on his back, William takes a moment to hear the man speak and say his name being \"Shiro\". He took ahold of the man's hand and shook it while saying, \"My name is Rojas former detective of the Pinkerton Agency, currently employed by that woman there.\" He motions towards Athena as he finishes his sentence and removing his hand. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his pack of cigarettes and places one on his lips, \"If you don't mind but I would like a smoke.\" He says as he takes his Trench Lighter out of his pocket and lights the butt of his cigarette, taking a small puff and shifting his body to look back at the Inn and his boss." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Within the gloomy blues of the Caritas, was a light, a yellow light of sugary naivete. That came from the ever-joyful Starborn Starbi! Who was just walking with glee in the chilly rain, as if he didn't care about getting drenched with water whatsoever. While unbeknownst to Starbi, he had eyes on him, not out of malice, but more so confusion, annoyed expression, or Disgust For his positive behavior, just like in most cases, he wasn't really aware, as his eyes were closed while walking gleefully, with music playing in his wireless earbuds. As he hummed and mumbled the lyrics of the song playing in his ears, which were in a different language.\n\n```\"I feel that I'll only end up losing in my life.\nObsessed with win-or-lose nonsense,\nI smash common sense in a minute flat\nAnd say goodbye to the future.\"```\n\nThis was a place that didn't seem as joyful as the Sanctum Mesa, which was a place that Starbi had been most during his time in the UNITY timeline. It's a new place, a new town with different people, but even so, nothing can ever get under Starbi's skin, this place is no exception either, it's as if he was in the festival all over again, except the whole fish hunt, but well- that's life! It was an ideology Starbi would look up to sometimes, that things change in the quickest of moments. While it could lead to trouble, it can't be all that bad!\n \n\nFor one, he met William, someone he met at the festival. Starbi saw William as a cool guy, he seemed a bit... Distant a few times, but Starbi knew that William was a good person! Heh. He also invited Starbi to be here, Starbi couldn't exactly remember what it was exactly, but he didn't mind! As long as he could bring a smile to someone's face, that's all that mattered to him, to bring a smile to someone's face.\n`let's hope that he can.`\n\nIt was then that after some more walking, following along with humming, small singing, and the cynical stares of the locals of Caritas. Starbi then opened his eyes to look where he was going, noticing that from afar, Starbi could see a few people, noting that there were... William and Athena! And someone new, that was great! Joyful Aura began to take effect, casting a sense of joy within the gloomy area, had any of the three Starbi saw paid close attention, they could've felt a sudden yet weak sense of joy. Starbi's expression had a greater smile than before while walking through the area. It meant that it was someone Starbi could make smile. Although... Starbi did feel a sense of understanding of who... Or what that person is. \n\nThe feeling went away quickly, Starbi, now without his earbuds to blast music into his ears and tucked carefully on his personage, was now running to where the three were with a smile on his face, he was eager to talk to anyone really, whether they're someone Starbi knows or not.\n\n\"Hey! William!! Athena!!!\" \nThe Starborn called out with glee in his voice, as he then began waving to the three as he ran, Joyful Aura's radius moving with Starbi, as well as the effect of it increasing as he ran. He then stopped in his tracks.\n\"Hiya!!!\" He exclaimed as he greeted the three with a friendly and energetic wave, following along with a bright smile on his face, Joyful Aura still present in regards of the surroundings, Starbi was ready for an experience he won't forget." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena remained unperturbed by the approaching motorcycle, her attention seemingly elsewhere until the moment of interaction. Upon being addressed and questioned about her identity, Athena pivoted gracefully, her demeanor poised yet approachable. After William introduced himself, Athena accepted the handshake, saying in a calm tone:\n\n```\n\"The name's Athena, Freelance Detective. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Shiro.\"\n```\n\nLetting go after introducing herself, her arm falls to her side where she tucks her hand into a pocket of her trench coat. She would then look towards William and continue to say in a curious manner:\n\n```\n\"You invited Starbi? ...Cool, i wan-.\"\n\n```\n\nAnd as if on cue, Athena hears Starbi shout a greeting towards her and William. Athena turns towards Starbi and waves her hand side to side using her free hand. Fingers outstretched, a genuine expression of joy evident on her features. She was happy to see a friend and another face she deemed trustworthy for this investigation, not to mention Starbi's Joyful Aura. Once Starbi reaches them, Athena would say in a gleeful and energetic voice:\n\n```\n\"Heya Starbi, Long time no see!. How have you been buddy?\"\n```\n\nWhile awaiting a response from Starbi, She thinks to herself:\n\n```\nThere are more trustworthy eyes on this investigation. Starbi is a kid and might not be skilled in detective work or investigations like me and William. Plus, who knows what we will see in there? It could be gruesome for a kid. ...I should probably learn more about Shiro as well. You can't trust most people these days, not even the police.\n```\n\nReturning her focus to Shiro, Athena maintained her composed yet inquisitive demeanor, prompting further conversation with an air of genuine interest.\n\n```\n\"Since I've shared my occupation, I'm intrigued to learn more about yours and your intentions here.\"\n```\n\nShe pauses for a few seconds, looking up at the raining sky. She looks back down towards Shiro, still looking up due to the significant height difference:\n\n```\n\"So Shiro, Care to enlighten us?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "The white-haired woman crossed the muddied cobbles, her body shrouded in an impermeable cold.\nAs she passes through the heavy downfall, the rain does not touch her skin. \nDroplets of water burst into vapor before freezing into a delicate, snowy mist as they pass into her presence, fading into obscurity as they dissipate silently upon the form of her body.\nHer eyes are alight with a subtle glimmer, piercing the thickness of the grey overcast atmosphere in their singular, light-blue hue.\n\n```fix\n\"Mm... This is it?\"```\n\nArlet passed upon the precipice of the premises formed around the inn, her palm lifted up and at an angle over her brow to shelter her eyes from the freezing precipitation, scanning transiently over the depressing condition of the estate. Her head tilted as her hand lowered to rest on the side of her hip as she now gazed lazily at the unsightly thing.\n\n```fix\n\"How ugly.\"```\n\nA wry smile emerged on her face as her gaze contemned the ugly inn and the ugly souls surrounding it. In a heavy breath, she released a silent sigh, passing forward as her gaze crossed swiftly from all the unpleasant and uninspiring things around her — the police and the protestors both — and toward the figures of those much more amusing: the likes of the small group now forming and meeting past the yellow tape and toward the entry of the inn. What had garnered her attention was the sparks of light found within the figures of increasing interest unensnared by the absurdity of the city and its faux trial; they each possessed a type of individuality that set them apart from the monotony surroundings, and each possessed a zest that tasted of the potential to meet her desire for excitement. Her grin persisted as she followed after the latest of the bunch, her footfalls freezing the impression of her steps in the thin coating of rainwater that glossed the city streets.\n_ _\n\nShe came closer. Standing at 177cm, the light-blue-eyed, white-haired but youthly woman strode leisurely toward the blockade, where then she was stopped. She had neither paperwork nor identification, having come mostly by her passing desires, sparing little-to-no effort to actually attain permission, as had some of her peers.\n\n```fix\n\"...Ah, me? I'm with them.\"\n\"It shouldn't be any trouble if I just passed through, right?\"```\n\nStill grinning, lightly, the woman grinned, extending her hand in a motion toward the group now formed and meeting outside the inn. Though as light and buoyant as her countenance appeared, there was an inlying weight that almost seemed to grant her statement a sense of force — one that was furthered by the sharpness of her glare." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "It seemed his inclination was correct as Athena and Rojas greeted him and they shook hands.\n\nSeemed the lady was his boss, interesting.\n\nHe chuckled a bit at the remark about needing to smoke, and turned his gaze to meet the newcomer who eagerly bounced up to them, this \"Starbi\".\n\nSeemed the two knew him. An energetic but childish being he seemed, Shiro could detect a faint aura of pleasentry around him, though it didn't do much to lift the mood, given... Well.\n\nWhat was someone like that doing here?\n\nHe focused back onto Athena as she basically inquired into he himself more.\n\nIntentions? Those were clear enough.\n\nOccupation, though?\n\nHe didn't exactly have one of those, did he? Certainly not one thats easy enough to explain.\n\n```\n\"Call me... A private investigator. Yes, that about fits. I believe another term, as you call it, would be \"Private eye\". No one sent me here, I just happened to hear of this and I have come to provide my help. Not in solving this case, mind you, that is your forte, but I shall still try if I can, but mainly I am here to deal with, as I made clear to the officers there, any magical entities who might be trying to frame the widow there. I require no reward. I am merely here to help.\"\n\n```\n\n\nShiro would have still kept eye contact if not for overhearing the next newcomer.\n\nAnd she seemed... Off.\n\nHe watched as she took in her surroundings and he could just feel the contempt she had for them; the people, the place, all of it.\n\nThat smile didn't seem friendly.\n\nCautiously, he spoke up to her.\n\n\n```\n\"Ah, another one. Greetings, I am Shiro... And you are?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Turning his attention towards Starbi, a soft but small smile appears on his face. He throws his cigarette towards the floor to stomp out as he begins to speak, \"How you doing, Stars? I'm happy you were able to join us. It's best to have all eyes on the case.\" William says as he hides his smile and hides his feelings as he's always done, admittedly he knows that Starbi isn't the best person to join in on the investigation given their childlike nature and skill in this kind of work, instead someone like Max would've been better due to his strength or his ability to fight and remind hidden in the shadows but William has his reasons on why he chose to have Starbi accompany on the case. He turns his head towards the new arrival of the white haired lady, feeling an off sense with the lady given her sharp glare and lack of credentials, he softly moves his right hand up till it touched the grip of his revolver but deciding not to draw, he instead shifts his revolver for a more comfortable reach while reaching into his satchel for a Hardtack biscuit, outstreching his hand towards Starbi, he opens his mouth to speak once again, \"Here you go Stars, it's best to eat something now we don't know how long this will take. And officer, can you let that woman through? More people, the merrier.\" He says, looking back towards the lady and to Starbi, speaking in a low whisper for only Starbi to hear, \"I don't like the look of these people. Stay close to me and Athena, and speak to them if you want, but don't disclose anything too much.\" He moves his arm up and pats Starbi on the shoulder, giving a smile towards his companion" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"I'm okay!!!! I've been wandering around the place since the festival! Lots of places to explore and stuff!!!!\" The starborn responded to both William and Athena.\n\"And of course!!! I'm glad I could come along. I'd love to help anyway I can!!\" Starbi said with his signature smile. However, he paused for a moment as he noticed something about William. His smile, he hid it. A faint drop of doubt was struck in the back of the Starborn's mind, all this being in the span of 3 seconds.\n...\nHe then looked to the people around. \"This place seems a bit down, but I'm sure it can't be that bad!\" Starbi spoke, turning his head to his two friends.\n\"I'm sure that we can at least bring a smile to this place!\" Starbi assured with a smile, noticing William giving him a biscuit to eat. \nBefore William began whispering to Starbi, these were apparently warnings for Starbi to just stick close, Starbi then took a look to the others beside Athena and William. Starbi thought for a moment. Starbi did trust William, but the people here couldn't be that bad, could they?\n\"Alright, you got it!!\" Starbi exclaimed with a small nod.\n\"Thanks for the biscuit too!!\" He thanked. He then turned to the person that was speaking to William and Athena before Starbi approached the three, as he then waved to him.\n\"Hiii!!! My name's Starbi, its nice to meet you!!\" Starbi greeted with a bright smile on his face." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "As each truth seeker and/or enforcer of justice arrived at the scene individually, one commonality persisted. Between the pleasantries they may or may not have exchanged with each other, the cautionary tape setup by Caritas's small police force, of which separated the crowd from the protestors, remained tightly guarded. From initial entry, Arlet would be permitted to join the Group Regardless of her lack of identification and plausible lie, as was Shiro and all else who did not follow the standard protocol of filling the appropriate documentation prior to their unannounced arrival, nor having proper legal jurisdiction— but upon attempts to gain access into the Inn itself, they would be greeted with the same uniform response from one officer in particular that made things complicated.\n\n\"No more detectives. The inn is not open.\"A strongly Italian accented man would restate multiple times, dressed in a gray policeman outfit that distinguishes his authority from the rest of nearby officers. Whenever someone would ask, he'd notably turn his glance briefly over to one of the onlooking magicians apart of the church brotherhood that so happened to be standing by— and when they exchanged a shake of the head, he'd repeat to any one of William, Athena, Starbi, Shiro and Arlet the same, almost robotic denial of entrance. The local PD was bending over backwards for the church's command on this particular matter, and it was not especially hard to notice for those believing themselves as detectives to pick upon; it was true that their influence transcended conventional authority within the city of Caeli Noctis specifically. Meanwhile, the gathering chants from the disgruntled crowd became slightly more directed at the group, accusing them of ungodliness on the account of presumably trying to disprove the word of the Vicariate, the bulk of which was in Italian and therefore likely incomprehensible to most of them. Still, it was evidently mean-spirited and direct.\n\nThe fact remained that this was extremely false-advertising; there was no issued warning that investigations were no longer to be conducted ahead of time. Naturally, such a thing was a smack in the face to anyone that had gone out of their way to show up here. Granted, it wasn't high on the list of the recent transgressions of the church, but did go to show their willingness to stunt any level of hope for an overturn of their decision. It was odd, though— what harm would allowing one more day of searching would do? The previous days had turned up nothing other then missing investigators with little to no evidence. Claiming it was a safety precaution was nonsensical because the waivers and documentation to be filled out clearly stated they held no responsibility for injuries or potential incidents, not that everyone was aware of that. In other words, they had no reason to care, nor did the police force by extension. Perhaps the lack of waiers signed was the reason for denied entry, then?\n\n\"I'm sorry, but its too late. You must leave.\" The man reiterated, remaining on his guard as to prevent an attempts at an unwarranted entrance. Under orders, it was his task to convey the notion that they were no longer accepting investigators— in fairness, a number had gone missing prior to today, thus making this not a completely unreasonable course of action. Fortunately for the group, however, a most prompt interruption came to pass." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\"Please—\" A voice came from behind. \"Marco, let them pass. Today is the last day.\" It was the soft, less accented, yet still foreign voice of the red hooded protestor, who unveiled her face as to look the officer directly in the eye upon patting him several times on the forearm. Roberta had made her way from the scene directly outside the Inn to the group being held by the policeman. Judging by the fact she called him what wasn't his last name, there was an indication that they personally knew each other to some level.\n\n\"Just for a bit.\" Her tone was a mix of firmness and desperation. She was about 5 foot 1 inches, much smaller and stubbier relative to the officer's near 6 foot frame, and had slightly tanned, freckled skin that was blemished and smothered with purposefully ruined dark makeup— it was actually what she had used to illustrate the wording on her poncho as opposed to marker, hence the darker coloration. Her eyes were an emerald green that glimmered with a combination of weariness and determination, and her hair was brown to the shoulder length. It almost looked like a child youthfully tugging at the arm of an older, much larger adult, and in fairness, she was only 19 a couple months ago. She put her hands together in a praying motion and bowed her head at the man's mercy." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "\". . .\" The gray eyes of Marco between his gray cap gave a look of twinged pity as he turned to look at her, scratching his dulling beard. Several of his fellow officers immediately stood on guard, but he waved them off. His glance returned back to his de facto superiors in the robed churchmen, then back at her, back at them, back at her. Eventually, he let out a long, reluctant sigh, and decided to give in. The truth was that he was a lot more sympathetic towards the cause of the protestors then his stance and commands indicated, but he had his orders— and yet, it was short and easy to convince him, despite the risks. What that said about the situation itself was left to interpretation.\n\n\"Go.\" He didn't so much as look at them in eye, but he walked over to where the yellow tape began, and unclipped a portion of it as to allow the group entry, nodding at Roberta. He would very likely be reprimanded for this, but it'd be on the account of the brotherhood, not his superiors. For now, he could pin the blame on his actual bosses before anyone figured it out— one of the robbed individuals from afar gave him an immediately perplexed, annoyed look that he pretended not to see. He had enough tenure to ensure that his job wasn't at complete risk of termination. Besides, it was for a good friend, and he may have very well contributed to the relative success of this protest within his able authority." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "Roberta whispered a relieved 'thank you', in her native language, and then turned her attention to the group of investigators of all sorts. \"Ciao! I am Roberta— or Berta, please. Thank you all for coming today to help. . . My mother, on the final day. Do not be afraid to introduce yourselves.\" She iterated her previous point that this would indeed be the last day before the execution was put forward, but nonetheless continued under the assumption they knew who she was already. \"Please, follow me to meet the others.\" The red robed young lady made a gesture that suggested they trail behind her for the time being as she practically marched back towards the front of the Inn; it could allow the group to more closely inspect the outside of the motel itself for some potentially revealing exterior details. On previous days, she wasn't nearly this forward towards those who came searching for the truth she so desperately hoped for, but the clock was ticking, and she figured a conversation at the very least would be wise to have. She wouldn't hold them for very long, though— with just 16 hours to go, that'd be awfully idiotic over her to do. That said, she was also considering doing something rash. \n\n\"These are my people,\" Roberta signaled, having quickly returned to the Inn with the rest of he peers. A chunk of the nine protestors were pale, appeared sickly, or were outright asleep, although those relatively conscious did give measly, weak waves. It was interesting that she didn't stop long enough to introduce them by name nor give them general curtesy, but in any case, she went on— or, rather, wanted to, but couldn't really. Unfortunately, she had very little to give them. She stood on the front steps, and prepared to give an underwhelming speech, of sorts, trying to project her voice in a way that exceeded the loudness of the rain.\n\n_ _\n\"Well. . . The inside is dangerous, as you know. . .\" She started on this point in reference to the numerous disappearances, but hadn't much of an idea where to go next. It's not like she had a map or layout of the Inn on standby, nor knew enough about its interior to give them actually useful information. \"I. . . Wish you good luck.\" Roberta also seemed distracted, in the sense that she kept making these side glances— as if anticipating someone else's arrival. \"Any questions?\" It's not like she could Answer Them, but it'd be rude not to say that, right? She felt good about having at least spoken to them collectively, albeit she had no interest in actually dwelling on the impending doom or sadness of her situation more then she had to do. They had jobs to do.\n\nShe hardly seemed like the antichrist that the newspapers made her out to be, let alone a particularly strong willed woman capable of making herself the posterchild of evil for the sake of a nearly lost cause. One could argue it was akin to a child throwing a tantrum that so happened to spiral out of control— that was exactly how the church felt about her, certainly. And yet, even so, the effort was valiant as it could be in light of circumstances." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "The Starborn was then distracted after he tried to introduce himself to Shiro. Turning his head to see what he figured to be a policeman.\n\n```\"No more detectives. The Inn is not open.``` \n\nStarbi then looked at the gloomy policeman, sensing no shred of joy from him whatsoever. It was then that Starbi finally took notice of the yellow tape around the area, pausing for a few seconds before looking to as well finally notice the protestors, they seemed... Not so happy. Starbi's eyes focused on the protestors, in response he gave them a friendly wave with a polite smile in response to their unhappy shouts towards the group.\n\"Hello!\" Starbi spoke with a naive smile on his face, in response to the protestors' words. However, his waving wavered for a moment, remembering William hiding his smile a few minutes ago. He was just in thought for a moment as he waved as a sort of automatic response. \n\n```\"Go.\"```\n\nIt was then that woke from his thoughts, hearing the same policeman from before seemingly change his mind. The Starborn then sensed a feeling from the crowd, it wasn't... Exactly sad, it felt like the cooling joy of relief. It took Starbi a few seconds for him to find the source of that feeling, as if was something very contrasting to the harsh absence of joy around it. Finding a girl who was around 5'1\" Speaking to the group.\n\n\"Hi hi, Berta!! My name's Starbi!!\" Starbi spoke with his smile.\n\"These are my friends William and Athena!! We're here to help however we can!\" He spoke for the two. Starbi tilted his head for a moment when Roberta requested the group followed her, which he did without a second thought regardless if the others followed or not, Joyful Aura keeping its presence over the environment of ice blue dread. As Starbi then gave a friendly wave to the people Roberta had introduced.\n \n\n```\"Well... The inside is dangerous, as you know... I... Wish you good luck. Any questions?\"``` \nStarbi shook his head with glee, giving Roberta a thumbs up. \n\"All good from me!!\" Starbi exclaimed with joy with a friendly thumbs up to Roberta.\n\"Me and my friends will do whatever we can, and in the end, I'm sure we can make this place smile!\" Starbi assured with joy." }, { "author": "Shiro", "message": "Whether the lady he was talking to introduced herself or not, Shiro would follow as the group proceeded inwards, yet to be barred from further entry by an officer of the law. He seemed of higher rank and status and quite stoic. If they weren''t allowed entrance, then Why Were they called here? It didn't make any sense.\n\nA young woman from the crowd came to their aid, telling the gentlemen to let them pass. They seemed to know one another which was... Interesting.\n\nHe stayed silent as she led them in and introduced herself.\n\nSo, she was the daughter of the accused widow? She certainly didn't Seem Like the widow herself, nor would someone so young have any good reason to be here, so it was believable. \n\nAs she talked, however, Shiro detected an unease to her words as she kept looking frantically back and forth.\n\nIt was at this, and the prompting for further questions, that he at last spoke.\n\n\n```\n\"Ah, yes, I've a question. \n\nAre you, perhaps, expecting someone else to interfere? You seem quite nervous, and it's not just about your mother, is it? I assure you, if anyone tries to interfere with this investigation, we'll deal with them if that is what you are concerned about.\n\n\"Also... Say, the power is supposed to be off in here, is it not? The area within seems lit still.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "Arlet's disposition changed a number of times as she scanned over the volunteer investigators scattered outside the yellow tape of the reported crimescene. Her carefree demeanor shrouded the subtle strength lying within her gaze, its light-blue glow trailing with an ephemeral light that faded soon after each flick of its motion. From the bright-eyed one to the firm one; from the steadfast one to the suspicious one; from the suspicious one to the ambitious; and from the ambitious to the officer and the woman and the two's small and telling interaction—each glance guided, clearly, with some intent to derive some sort of information — some sort of image — from those that surrounded her.\n\nHer ear perked, and an oddly humorous expression rose to surface on her face. Where her eyes had once continuously wandered with each passing moment, they then — following William's whisper — rested on the form of the five-foot-eight man, that new, subtle, perceptive and ambiguous grin of hers still on her face. It let on that she knew something; perhaps that she had heard him, or perhaps not.\n\n```fix\n\"My name,\" She closed her eyes, neutrality returning to her visage, \"Is Arlet.\"```\n\nShe extended her right hand out and to her side, its elbow rested on the back of her left arm, which was folded just under her chest. Her words were quick and spoken matter-of-factly, yet Arlet offered a light and lively smile. \n\n```fix\n\"Just one question before we begin——\" Her eyes opened, slightly asquint, as she lifted a finger to her side. \"——We're all here to clear the name of the falsely-accused, correct?\"\n\"To 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬, so to speak.\"```" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena hearing the words \"No more detectives. The Inn is closed\" Would have turned around.\n\n```\n\"I have the documentation filled out and have proof of my identity, you have to allow me in.\"\n```\nGlaring at the officer, She retorted clearly a little angry at the policeman's statement.\n\n\"Go.\"\n\nUpon hearing these words, Athena would have glanced at William, already cooking up a plan for if she can't get into the Inn. If it wasn't for Roberta allowing her and the group entry, Athena would have attempt to solve this case the difficult and illegal way.\n\nUpon Roberta introducing herself and granting them access to the premises, Athena walks into the Inn pulling out her journal, She quickly flips to an empty page. Right after pulling out a pencil, spinning it in her hand. She lets the other's ask questions first, Then she looks at Berta with a look of calmness, determination and curiosity.\n\n```\n\"I have a couple pf questions for you Berta, Where were the bodies discovered and What time were the bodies discovered?\"\n\n```\nShe inquired\n\nShe would then look to Arlet keeping only the calmness in her tone.\n\n```\n\"Nice to meet you Arlet and to answer your question, The reason i'm here is to protect the weak in a sense but to prove the \"Falsely accused\" Innocent is a bit of a stretch for we don't actually know if they are innocent and covering for someone who could be as guilty as anyone else is not how i roll. My goal is to find the killer, and whether that proves them innocent or guilty is not of my concern. This is justice, anyone can be at fault.\"\n```\n\nShe then looks at both Starbi and William while awaiting a response from Berta and starts to think of a plan to hopefully make this case easier and find out more about these newcomers and more about the case.\n\n```\nStarbi has a knack for connecting with people from what I can tell at least. Perhaps I could assign them the task of gathering intel on these newcomers and getting as much info as possible out of Berta. But then again, that could expose them to potential danger if these individuals aren't as harmless as they seem. We could even do Good Cop and Bad Cop if need be, Starbi and William being perfect canidates for it while the rest of us investigate the crime scene. It's a plan alright, one that I'll need to discuss with William and Starbi later to make sure they are on board with it. On another note, this place more likely doesn't have cameras from the looks of it, otherwise the police would have probally solved it by now unless the killer of course is smart. I should take people's fingerprints and testimonies as well.\n\n```\n\nAthena puts the pencil atop her ear and uses her now free hand to look for something in her pockets\n\n```\n... Fuck, i forgot my fingerprint kit... And my magnifying glass, looks like i'll be doing this the hard way unless one of these people have something on them or Berta has some sort of Ink and Paper at least\n```\n\nAthena after searching scoffs as she takes the pencil back from atop her ear, looking back towards Berta. She asks.\n\n```\n\"One more question actually. You don't happen to have some Ink and Paper laying around, Do you?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "The incessant chanting of the fanatical crowd would for a moment be drowned out by the roaring of an engine, before the crowd simply begin shouting louder, as a car pulled up to the scene; a gleaming Aston Martin db2, a classic British sports car painted in black, a woman stepped out of the passenger seat and shoved her way through the crowd as the car pulled away, without waiting to be let through she would duck below the police tape and hold up her wallet for the stationed police officer to inspect; Licensed detective, Academie member and Royal Kensington Society operative.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m\" Detective Ubersich. \"\n```\nShe was a short woman at only 5'2 and rather thin, but she moved with confidence and audacity typically reserved for those of more powerful builds, her mess of short blonde hair had been flattened by the rain, her skin was pale and freckled and she wore a long beige trench coat, her eyes were blue, unnaturally so almost glowing as she surveyed the small group, staring daggers through each of them, and in the centre of her forehead sat a third eyelid, closed shut.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m\" ... \"\n```\nHer expression was grim and disapproving, maybe it was the weather or maybe it was the company it was hard to tell.\nWithout a word she shut her eyes, and the third eye upon her forehead began to open, she blinked a few times and strained almost squinting, using true sight in Caeli Noctis was like staring at an eclipse, the northern lights and some form of rave lighting setup all at the same time.\nHer eye began to survey the group, Athena was interesting, a soul bound in chains and an array of power, William went completely ignored, as her gaze past Shiro she squinted, his aura was blinding and hard to decipher, Starbi was similarly unfamiliar, and Arlet made the rest of them look mundane, she even managed to make Alexis smile, even if only for a few short seconds.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m\" Could be worse. \"\n```\nAbruptly her third eye shut, and her 2 regular eyes\n\nOpened, without skipping a beat she brushed past everyone and headed straight for the front door, completely disregarding any attempts at communication or dilly dallying.\nThe team would suffice, but standing out in the rain would not be solving any mysteries.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m\" Do you all enjoy the feeling of being soaking wet?\"\n```\nShe didn't even turn to address them as the door swung open seemingly on its own, she drew a bottle of unlabelled blue pills from her pocket and threw 2 of them back before entered the building." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Watching the arrival of new people, William watches closely how they all act and present themselves. He gives a small smile towards starbi as they go introduce themselves to the others, while he wouldn't admit it he likes being in company of Starbi, but quickly hides his smile once again reminding himself the objective of the case and the true reason why he invited Starbi to aid in the case. Walking into the building he hears Athena talk about \"Protect the weak\" Which gave him a sense of guilt, his hands tensed and his mind wandered toward the past, the faces of those who died flashing in his mind along with the begs and screams of the people hes watched get killed or killed himself, he without a word reached towards one of his cigarettes to clear his mind but decided not light it, instead placing it back into the pocket and balling his right hand into a fist and realising the tension, he then places his hand onto the grip of his revolver to use it as a place to relax his hand. \"Starbi, come with me and check the surrounding area. If you see anything out of place, come to me or Athena.\" He said in a tone of voice that sounded more like a soldier giving orders rather than a friend, an idea to give Starbi a gun crossed his mind incase there was danger but he decided against it for now due to him being unsure if Starbi could handle it. The memories of his past still haunting his mind but showing no emotion on his face." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "With all that was happening, Starbi was just simply being happy to himself, bobbing his head from side to side as everything went by, just stuck in his own little world as he just thinks about what makes him happy, memorised music playing in his head as well, his eyes closed, keeping his smile as others spoke to one another, or made it to the building.\n\"Hmm Hmm Hmmm...~\" He hummed to himself, \n\n```\"Do you all enjoy the feeling of being soaking wet?\"```\nStarbi opened his eyes, brought out of his whimsical trance of joy, to see that two new people had appeared in Starbi's awareness. One of them was the person who spoke regarding everyone staying in the rain, a neutral but curious expression on his face. He then looked to see a new friend with cool white hair, Starbi formed a smile on his face as he then waved at her out of kindness. To these two people that Starbi now noticed, they seemed nice, he had hoped to speak and be a friend to them.\n\nThe Starborn's focus wavered, as William called out his name in an... Odd tone. \n\n```\"Come with me and check the surrounding area. If you see anything out of place, come to me or Athena.\"```\nStarbi smiled as he responded with a nod, still taking note of William's sudden change of tone.\n\"...On it!! I'll stick by and do whatever you need me to do.\" Starbi assured, William was probably okay, he has his reasons, Starbi just had to put his trust in him." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "_ _\nWho was he? Why was he here? Two questions that many would spend their time carefully addressing, but not him, lest it be an absolute demand. All anyone needed to know was who he worked for— in due time, that would likely happen— and that was about it, albeit the aforementioned questions would tragically be forced to unveil themselves at some point for reasons out of his control. The man, in his black overcoat hung over a yellow dress shirt stood up, allowing his dark trousers to breathe and his Oxford formals to feel the cobblestones as he took a step forward, carelessly allowing the newspaper and pen to fall from his grasp. For someone who did not want to be where he was, he was impeccably dressed with attire that was evidently the furthest from cheapskate; granted, it was not a virtue that he sought to maintain so much as someone else did so on his behalf, which was yet another inquiry to be answered momentarily excluding his influence. Such is the way of life and its ways of digging out the details, a most graceful way of saying that people are Annoying And nosy, disguising their flaws as amicability. Typical.\n\nIn any case, his name was Thomas, and he was here because he owed the district attorney of Mesa, otherwise known as his younger sibling, a debt that was to be cashed on this unspectacular entanglement. Why? Don't know, also don't care. He's something of an investigator, but not exactly a local one. He was at the bar because he was drinking, obviously.\n\n_ _\nHe grabbed his black umbrella and his cap, tightening his fedora onto a bed of messy jet black hair like a screw and popping the weather device open that was for some reason also luxury branded, likewise to his wardrobe. The umbrella concealed his cold gaze, but he did attract some looks regardless. It didn't take long for him to reach the entry point of his destination, where an initial officer— of whom that white haired chick spoke with, to be precise— awaited approved confirmation preceding Marco, the latter obviously the guy in charge based on the ridiculous Kommandant hat he adorned. Mussolini would shed a tear.\n\nThe man was still ways away from the group itself, though, remaining out of clear sight for the moment. As much as he seemed distant, he was very much aware of what was happening, as well as needed context pertaining to the situation. That was the job, wasn't it? Preparation and what be related. Actually, he was Supposed To be here about three ago but. . . He forgot? Alcoholism will do that to you, but in his defense, it was the only way he could stick around here willingly, hence his presence at the tavern. Unfortunately, only good place to sleep in the district was subject to a murder investigation." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "An array of questions of which she couldn't answer in full confidence, let alone the clear lack of information. How humiliating it was . . And though between Starbi's infectious positivity, the staunchness of William and Athena, the concern of Shiro, and even the lack thereof from Alexis and Arlet, she was uncertain of what was to come. In 16 hours, her mother would die, and there wasn't even a crumb of evidence to oppose that verdict. For as strong and committed as she'd been, there was a moment of hopelessness, a feeling that what was to come was a forgone conclusion— imagine how her fellow protestors felt, sticking through sickness and agony for a cause the great Martyr hardly felt had legs. The truth was that Roberta, then and there, almost felt the urge to break down into tears, as some of the investigators sped past her irrelevant speech to the door. It was locked, and she had the keys.\n\nAs the rain soaked her brown locks, sliding past her emerald eyes and off her skin soaked with monstrously done make-up, she let off a deep sigh with clasped hands, and did her best to suffices the curiosity of others. \"Ah. . . Yes, I'm fine. . . Just, waiting for a man I've never met. And— to be certain, I could not tell you why that is. Sorry.\" She weakly shrugged at Shrio, truly unsure as to why that was. Berta then turned to Arlet and her peculiarly worded question, but answered no less frankly. \". . .Yes, I suppose so. Protecting. . . The weaker, against the stronger that shouldn't be?\" She sort of rephrased the sentiment as to appeal to Arlet, albeit to some level did agree with the assessment. This was, in her eyes, an abuse of power, but at this point she cared more about saving her mother then taking down corruption. Calling her 'weak' wasn't something she welcomed. . . Yet, this was the situation, wasn't it?\n\n_ _\n\"That. . . You'll have to ask someone who is. . . As they say, in tune, with the case. Sorry.\" Berta hardly knew the ins and outs of the Inn— hell, she'd only been in it whilst in business a handful of times, let alone knowing the natures of the murders or when they happened, nor why. Again, it was disheartening that she knew so little, but what could she do, other then advertise for someone to find out what she couldn't. . . Or, wouldn't? Are those to be considered different? \n\n\"Ah, right! The keys, allow me.\" Berta interrupted those led by Alexis who attempted to waltz in immediately, reaching hastily into the deep pockets of her red poncho and eventually finding the keys— which she dropped, and then quickly picked up. \". . .Good luck, again!\" She swiveled around and shoved the key into the lock of the brown, unappealing doorframe, struggling for some moments before hearing the relieving sound of the unlock. The young woman stepped back, and bowed her head— but not long after something, or rather, Someone In the distance caught her eye, a shadow in the distance. It was, as described, the person she'd been waiting for. \n\n\". . .Excuse me., now\" Berta promptly hopped off the staircase with some urgency, walking past her fellow protestors and the number of freelancing investigators. With that out the way, those interested could alas enter the revealing light of the Inn with no more apparent delays. The time was now, and the clock was ticking on the race to correcting a potential injustice." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "```\". . .Good luck, again!\"```\nStarbi watched as Roberta made it to unlock the door to the Inn.\n\n```\"...Excuse me, now-\"```\nAs she then walked down the stairs away from the group and back to the protestors.\n\n\"Don't worry, Berta! I'm sure we're going to be fine, we're here to help you whatever way we can, anything to make you and everyone here smile!\" Starbi yelled out with joy in his voice, Joyful Aura looming over the area, maybe even affecting some of the protestors.\n\n\"Bye bye!!\" Starbi yelled to her with a friendly wave of enthusiasm. As he then turned to the door of the Inn.\n\"Alright! I'm ready, here we go everyone!!\" Starbi spoke with prideful joy in his tone, as he gleefully made his way through the door, albeit even rudely skipping someone who was currently going through the door." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "\"Papers.\"\n\nThomas silently obliged to the demands of the initial officer, reaching into his coat with his unoccupied hand and uncovering the apparent documentation required, handing it to the lowly officer. It was the same man that Arlet had convinced she was with the larger group of presumed investigators— he had noticed the total lack of pestering in their and other encounters upon short glance earlier, and put two and two together. An aversion to protocol? Sounds like his kind of party. A part of him wanted to make a fuss about it, but he also wanted to not be here as soon as possible.\n\n\". . .\" The officer had a strange, somewhat bewildered expression, but it wasn't due to the filing. Rather, Tom had elevated the black umbrella slightly upwards as to suddenly reveal the distinct features of his face, jarringly so. He had pale skin, but a pair of dulled eyes, one a steel blue, and the other a sickly yellow almost akin to a repitle, or a serpent. There was also the obscure, red colored 'birthmark' on his right chin that shared striking resemblance to a story from the bible to those knowledgeable: The Mark of Cain. In general, there existed a strangely, deeply unpleasant sensation about the man to anyone who deemed themselves a believer of Christ , not to mention the innately begrudged expression he possessed and how out of place he looked. He gave Thomas a mistrustful stare as an instinctual response to his frigid gaze.\n\n\"ID.\"\n\n_ _\n``\"Didn't ask any of them for ID.\"`` Papers was one thing, but identification? That was out of line.\n\n\"And now I'm asking you.\" Given a hard time on account of his bedeviled appearance, it seems. A religious public servant, then? Working for the police and willing to instill his beliefs on those he chooses? How dreadfully ceremonious, not that this hadn't happened to him before around here.\n\n``\"Right. I'm sure they're all as righteous and moronically holy as you are. Or just morons.\"`` He retorted sharply. In his defense, he now he had no choice but to make a remark despite trying to restrain himself for the sake of defending against. . . Somewhat Wrongful and untoward assumption. In any case, he quickly retrived his badge from the same corner of his coat where he stashed his papers, as if to suggest he anticipated this happening. \n\n``Federal Agent of the United States``\n``H. Thomas Brandt - American Intelligence Committee, Foreign Justice And Investigations Level One``\n\n\". . .American?\" Few law enforcement agencies offered better job security then the A.I.C., former known as the C.I.A. And F.B.I. Pre-2011 merger. It was about the only good thing about them as an organization in his opinion.\n\n_ _\n``\"No, it's the United States next to Argentina. The one where all the Nazis went.\"`` In his sarcasm, he knew that he would no longer be bothered given his clarified level of jurisdiction. As to empower this point, when the officer had no choice but to allow him entry, he turned his badge around and carefully tucked it into one of the flannel pockets of the lowly policeman, lightly patting the man on the shoulder as he walked by, echoing lasting words. ``\"Proteggi questo oggetto con la tua vita, sant'uomo.\"`` Italian was an incredulously boring language to him, but messing with people brought him amusement in any dialect regardless how mundane. \n\nWhen Thomas approached Macro and his absurd hat at the now unveiled line of yellow tape, the gray-eyed policeman would hardly acknowledge him; he was too fixated on watching his friend, Berta, give that mostly fruitless attempt of a speech. The nature of Marco's stare was questionable, but what was even more questionable was how utterly useless Berta's words were from what he could make out through the stomping rain.\n\nTom turned his attention to the Inn from afar, watching as each member of the group shuffled their ways in. Place looks like an absolute dump, but the lights we-" }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\"Excuse me.\"\n\nA short woman in a red poncho tapped him on the right shoulder as to get his attention. She was, unlike with the previous group of investigations, not nearly as hospitable as one would expect. In fact, Berta looked a strange mix between complete relief and mild disappointment, for reasons previously stated. He was several days late. \"Agent Brandt?\"\n\n\"I am sorry, but. . .\" Berta placed her hands against her brown locks, feeling the wetness against her palms. \"I spoke to your sister, the attorney. . . She said you would be here on Friday.\" It was likely that he didn't see her march across from the Inn to where he stood behind the tape given her particular stature." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"I showed up on the day of the Lord. Can't be more punctual then that.\"`` It was Sunday, wasn't it? What better way to show grace? He still hadn't looked at her, keeping his gaze focused on the Inn." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\"I see.\" She kept her tone steady as to not insinuate any revealing emotions on his remark. \"Well, I-\"" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"You boning wolf eyes?\"`` He motioned his umbrella towards Marco. 'Boning', as in sexual intercourse." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\"W- what? Boning? What—\"" }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"Sex. It doesn't matter, I just figured I'd give you a chance to actually give some actual useful information instead of stating the obvious. Thanks for playing.\"`` He then walked past her, towards the Inn. Did he really believe that? . . .Yes. He did, and he was pretty sure. As he approached the disheveled building, however, the short woman in her red poncho followed.\n\n``\". . .Why are you still here?\"``" }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\". . .\"\n\n\"You think. . . I've been useless, Sir?\" Her brief annoyance was replaced by the more pressing concern on her mind. It was crawling all over her skin, like bed bugs at the dusk of night." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"Let me think. If you go away right now, I might change my answer.\"``" }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "She did not go away. Berta wanted to hear his answer on the matter, despite having just met him, as if it held some sort of authority." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\". . Ok. Yes. Can you leave now?\"``" }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\"What if I went in and. . .And I helped out? With the investigation? As they say— make a difference?\" Her conscious had begun to weigh on her, and with time only getting shorter, this was the apparent 'rash decision' she was considering. Risking her own life, but it'd be for a good cause, wouldn't it? Saving her moms life, she only had an obligation to think this way. But. . . She was just as scared as doing this as she was terrified of seeing her mother be executed. It wasn't all that simple." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "By the time he arrived at the front door, she was still behind him, talking. Seriously? One joke, and her confidence was done in? Unless this was a gradual thing that he had finally. . . Tipped over, in a sense. Either way, it was an idiotic perspective, and he turned around as to reiterate that point in exasperation. His tone would be especially demeaning through a disgruntled sigh, namely to ensure she would stop. ``\". . .The newspapers say you've spent four days looking like Nancy Reagan after a bad blowjob in commitment to this thing. You've wallowed in your own sorrow, convinced these morons to join you and lead a mutiny annoying enough to make the church get off their asses. Why change?\"`` The initial reference would go over her head, obviously.\n\n``\"People do what they do for a reason, law of nature. This is my job, and I get called by the people who can't do it, like the scared daughters of mothers on death row who didn't go to police school. You, on the other hand, do what you do because this is all you're good for. Don't be an idiot.\"`` This was his opinion, although he also figured she would slow them down between her lack of experience and overt sentimentality. She'd impede the investigative process through her bias alone, not to mention general incompetence. It was baffling to think that her moral compass would incline her to get herself killed, still. People Decided To come here despite the advertised dangers and implications, and its not like she could've done anything herself. Like he said, no experience. She, in all sincerity, made the smart choice, and now she wanted to jeopardize it because of some strange principal. Pressure brings out the irrationality in people." }, { "author": "Berta Mancini", "message": "\". . .But, do you think you can save her? Or. . . That they can?\" She acknowledged his point, but her mind wandered. Berta was also slightly taken aback at his face in similar fashion to the lowly officer that had his badge, struck by its details, but not nearly as dramatically. His vulgarity was bothersome, but the points he was making weren't invalid to her." }, { "author": "Tom Brandt", "message": "``\"Execution is at 12 tomorrow. 16 hours. Odds say she's dead before your first sip of Espresso.\"`` He shrugged, bluntly stating the situation. She didn't seem to have anything else to add other then increased disappointment and a conflicted expression, and so, he went on in. Emotional consultation wasn't part of the job description." } ]	346.5	14,740
590.6	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "rszo", "message": "The two claws that had nabbed Arlet and Starbi continued their ascent into the eternal darkness of the stairwell's ceiling across from one another— but it was soon evident as their bases became out of reach from the rest of the group that they started to slow down, inch by inch, albeit not to extremes. The firmness of its grip was weaker, which would indeed open the window for Either One of them to try something, anything to break free from the grasp of the claws. Perhaps using a personal ability or weapon to overcome the slightly weakening grip, slowness or strength discrepancy could help. There was no 'fight or flight' here; there was only fight, or what came next. Being forcefully lifted into unknown consequences, with the exception of Alexis, who was doing so voluntarily and was in a position to lend a hand by accompanying their ascent.\n\nRegardless, the ascent of the claws would continue towards a destination surely unclear, and both their visions were mostly consumed by the absence of light. There Was A faint glimmer of. . . An object, but it was too quick to tell what it was, nor what it meant for them— Alexis had better positioning to explore that, perhaps. The metal wiring still rang in their ears, and something Else Did begin to intensify in contrast to the small weakening of the claw. That rotten, flesh boiling smell from when they entered the Inn? It had become more. . . Prevalent Than it was beforehand. This was abnormal, because there was no imagery or source to indicate where the growing stench was coming from." }, { "author": "Arlet", "message": "The pressure had not waned, yet it seemed it would not grow stronger. Lifted and suspended by her torso, Arlet's eyes remained in a squint as she opted to reserve her energy (though `Internal Transfiguration` Was still in effect). She had already accrued a small amount of `Fatigue` attempting to dodge the initial onslaught of the claw, and, seeing as her life did not appear to be imminently at threat — her instincts absent of that distinct sense of bloodlust that always preceded lethal circumstances — would thus allow the thing to carry her while she rested.\n\n`...Weaker.`\n\nIts grip was weakening. Shooting a final gaze through the darkness to the only individual opposite herself — Starbi — Arlet closed her eyes, exhaling deeply, the scent of rot filling her lungs.\n\n```fix\n\"Let's go.\"```\n\n*`INTERNAL TRANSFIGURATION.`\n__`OVERCLOCK.`__\n\nOnce more, her muscles begin to tensen as mana courses through them, chimerically shifting as the innate ability of her physiology was revealed. Tripled over its normal value and eclipsing most average humans by over fifteenfold, Arlet's raw physical strength massively increased as she forcefully burst out of the grasp of the claw. Before she might fall, she hoped to clutch something still solid of the claw to propel her body toward the wall, and — hopefully — allowing her to bound against a nearby wall to close distance between her and Starbi. Supposing she was successful in doing this, she would then quickly attempt to use her single-second's-worth of leftover overclocked strength to break him free, as well.\n\n Regardless of any successes or failure, following the expiration of the `Overclock`, she would disable `Internal Transfiguration`* Outright. Her physiology would thusly return to normal, as she let out a deep breath.\n_ _" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "The overclocking of Arlet's Internal Transfiguration was indeed successful in removing herself from the claws grasp, having weakened its grip enough to where initiating such an ability could seamlessly free herself, retracting backwards into the continued darkness of the ceiling. However, this maneuver was short-lived for the white-haired woman, and her attempt of discovering a wall to bounce off— as well as to free Starbi within her enhanced state, if possible— was thwarted for one simple reason: before she could take action, yet Another Claw came soaring in replacement of the one that lost control of Arlet, ringing the sounds of that now all too familar metal wiring. In fairness, it wasn't immediately possible to deduce whether it was a different one or not, but what was obvious was that a Fourth Snatcher also accompanied its rapid descent towards her.\n\n*``ttRSKKKK. . .``\n\nTwo brand new claws, and their approach had changed. One gripped onto theLeft* Side of her body around her torso, with an amount of force and grip strength that even Exceeded Her initial nabbing, and the other predictably latched onto her Right With the same level of pressure. Even with Internal Transfiguration active and amplified to the extent it was, the culminative effort from both snatchers made it a near impossible task to remove herself once again. What's more was that as she was taken, two unidentified masses Flew By her in a rapid descent— there were rather large, and upon close inspection, they both resembled something awfully. . . Humanoid In shape. It'd only be a brief thought anyhow, because the claws then ascended with Arlet in their possession; this time, it was also drastically Faster Than it was previously, almost to suggest that the claws somehow identified the potency increase in the white-haired woman's composition and adjusted accordingly. She rose at incredible speeds, rose, and rose, until. . .\n\n``THUD.``\n\nIt stopped, for it had finally meet the very top of the otherwise endless ceiling as far as one could tell. The room was still dark, but it seemed that the narrow walls had expanded, and surrounding her was. . . Something Despicable. An absolute truth within the largely uncertain Marcellus Mancini Inn, one defined in grim fashion. It was, at least to some extent, the fate of what exactly happened to those who entered room 1-B. Arlet was suspended mid-air to have a birdseye view of exactly that.\n\n. . .A seemingly endless amount of these Claws Took up the room, but that wasn't the damning part. A good amount of them within Arlet's vision, about 25 or so, carried what was now evidently a myriad of Corpses. Dead humans, quite obviously, and it was now apparent where that rotten, flesh-eating stench was coming from. Many had logos and stamps stemming anywhere from Astra Cantum to the Order Of the Sacred Apollo across their chests or shoulders, but their skins were gray and dulled, their soulless bodies constitutions decomposing rapidly and nastily, eyes filled with Maggots And bloodied stains spread throughout their attire. Many were missing ligaments outright, from hands, to legs and arms, to exposed brain matter— and those insects of which typically infested the dead were atypically Larger Then the average sort. They feasted, endlessly, as the stench had reached its absolute peak. It was Horrible, and also a good lesson on why listening to random voice recordings wasn't actually a good idea at all. It's like they were hanging from a noose. . .\n\nAnd that Object, the one that appeared in sight earlier? It was an illuminated box, one that made it easier to see said bodies using a blue lighting. It had strange scriptures and symbols on it, none of which were indicative of what purpose it served. It was situated directly in the middle of all the claws, and those maggots— the insects, they seemed to gravitate towards it. Those that crawled on it were not as rowdy as their fleshing eating friends.\n\n_ _ \nFurthermore, while the end of the walls were now considerably far from where Arlet concisely was, there was something she could make it written on them; to be exact, they were written in human Blood, fittingly so. Incidentally, it may've been more clear as to what those objects that fell from the grasp of the claws that held Arlet actually were, if not certain already. This confirmed it, and soon enough, Starbis claw, of which had follows Arlet, as well as Alexis, would also be witness to the massacre. It was just a matter of time. The phrase was in Italian, but simple.\n\n```\nVUCTO DI CADAVERI.\n```" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Amidst the darkness, Starbi had accompanied Artlet in being taken up into the unknown; ue to the grip of the claws, Starbi's arms had been restrained for now. Starbi had remained quiet but still very worried about what was happening. It was as if that Artlet or Starbi could've done was just let it happen, but... That couldn't have been all, as Starbi has said before, even the smallest events can change everything. \n\nStarbi had wondered if there was anything that could've been, before noticing a faint glimmer in the darkness, his focus now stuck on that glimmer with the looming undertone of the familiar rotting smell and sounds of metal wiring.\n\n```\"Let's go.\"```\nArtlet's words broke Starbi's focus on the glimmer, as she then managed to break from the claw's grasp. As Artlet was doing her best in the situation, Starbi's arms then felt as if they could gradually move more freely, as he then tried to pull his right arm out of the claw's grasp, with given a few more seconds, he may be able to get control of his arm and assist Artlet.\n\nBut then, her intentions have been intervened, as she then was grabbed side-by-side by two new claws emerging from the darkness. However, Starbi was luckily able to control his right hand, which had the gun he was given by William. \n\nWith haste, Starbi quickly aimed the gun at one of the claws as they descended with Artlet, along with him, at a faster pace; Starbi's arm angling to keep his eye on the claws, with his finger ready to pull the trigger. With Starbi already sent in motion, he saw something... Or some Things, dash by him, as he pulled the trigger.\n\n*``BanG!\nBanG!\nBanG!``\nWent the gun, Starbi trying to shoot at the claws to try and help Artlet break free, if was unsure if he managed to do any sort of damage or even managed to hit the claw he was aiming for given the distance between him and Artlet, he wasn't exactly skilled with firearms.\n* *\n\nRegardless if he managed to shoot one of the claws or not, Starbi felt everything halt in place, the two stuck up who knows how far up.\n\nStarbi's eyes looked around. \n\"Hey, are you okay?\" Starbi called out, he wasn't even sure if he got Artlet's name. But then, Starbi was met with the grotesque picture of strung bodies, they are mutilated, deteriorating,\n\nDisgusting.\n\nStarbi felt scared, letting out a yelp when he first saw one of the corpses strung up. Looking around to find anything besides corpses, he then noticed a familiar glimmer, recognising it as an illuminated box that was glowing a blue light, Starbi's turmoil then washed away to end up as him just feeling nervous, there wasn't anything he, or Artlet maybe, could do now, except wait." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "The complete indecision of the suspended Arlet in light of her situation proves to be irreparably costly. Both action and inaction has consequences, especially when the former is ill-advised to begin with. A man once said that the strong And* Weak suffer. There exists no fixture on fate. \n\nAs the two claws hold her in place, gripping and pulling against both sides of her body to an extent that felt like she was slowly ripping at the seams, a bright, glistening and yet intensely foreboding lapis-colored light would overtake her peripheral vision. This illumination came from none other then that strange, archaic-like silver box that had shifted its position slightly and began to glimmer intently. Despite being ways away from her exact location, it contained enough radiance within itself to reach her. The pressure from the heat of the light was intense, especially on the eyes, which was undoubtedly painful. Starbi— and likely Alexis as regardless of the fact that she was still floating upwards, could see it, albeit Arlet would be forced to endure the worst of it. Little did the three of them know that it was, more then anything else, a metaphor, and most grim sort in nature.\n\nThe reason as to why the object directed itself towards the white-haired woman would become quickly apparent. Those fatty, abnormally sized maggots that tore at the flesh of the dead, assorted between different corpses across the endless, darkened space, would seemingly, in combined unison, interrupt their meals turn around to face the same direction as the box: with prying, unnatural eyes that upon close inspection glowed an unnatural Red, they all stared at Arlet. What was to come next came in rapid, sudden succession, in line with the events thus far at the Inn. In particular, however, the inability to counter here was not as forgivable— actually, it wasn't forgivable in the slightest. It was damning, because a malevolent presence was clearly afoot, and yet purely indetectable. \n\nA considerable number of the maggots— a large amount, but not quite all of them— began to crawl upwards against the surfaces of their lunches, before then outright Jumping And hopping from the original bodies they sat on to another, any one that was closest nearby. Using the edges of the claws that suspended the corpses, they continued to maneuver as an eventual collective from consecutive flesh to flesh diagonally, as if abiding to a certain instructions in correlation with a specific destination, possessing relative speed that was unnatural for slimy insects as themselves. Steadily, they approached Arlet's position using the perceived understanding of the blue light, until. . .\n\n*``TTTTTTRKK—``\nThe two claws that hung above Arlet made an unusual, uncomfortable mechanical sound, unlike its previous examples of metal wiring. The Weight* Upon them increased from their exterior bases, causing it to lower and thus forcing the actual components that physically held Arlet slightly loosened once again, nearly dropping her entirely. That brief glimmer of plausible hope wouldn't last long, however; the added heaviness was a direct result of those Maggots Having reached their terminus, as the substantial amount of them quickly took up the space of both claws and their respective handles. Like watching oneself be marched towards their own execution, she could see, if looking up, the insects wiggle and slide downwards towards her. It wasn't long before they were crawling against the surface of her scalp and nape, invading that precious bed of white-hair ungraciously.\n\n_ _\nOnce they reached around her neck, it all happened fast. They, in concert, Pierced And ripped through the flesh of Arlet's jugular, tearing, burrowing into her skin as blood immediately began to relentlessly spill out due to the sheer amount of maggots and the pressure from their jaws in grim fashion. There was nothing she could do due to the overwhelming number that converged across her muzzle and upper-body— even letting out screams or yelps was implausible due to the damage of her vocal cords, likely resulting in guzzling. The life of the white-haired woman would soon leave her eyes, causing them to roll over, and her clenched fist would loosen its grasp. The blue light illuminated the horrific encounter, casting a spotlight on her demise— or metaphorically speaking, entering the light. She was Dead In minutes.\n\nStarbi would have an exceptional view of watching someone be gorged to death, as Arlet eventually slumped over, his gun effective, albeit not to say he couldn't do anything at all— his own claw had reacted impulsively to one of the many hopping maggots, and loosened up for a vulnerable moment. Alexis was still finding her way up, but perhaps if she Already Did so, she too could've at least tried to help. Instead, the maggots, once satisfied with having practically removed the muscle and tendon of her neck from her body, quickly began to ascend back her up lifeless corpse, up her hair follicles and back to the edge of the claws that held the woman. The blue light had shifted away; generally speaking, the maggots preferred to allowed their victims to 'marinate' in the air before continuing to consume their flesh, enjoying it to be less-so filled with blood and spasms. Sort of like aged wine or steak, deader flesh simply tasted better.\n\n``Arlet Monte de Navar - DECEASED.``\n\nDon't be like Arlet" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's focus from the cerulean light amidst the strung abyss of corpses remained up until he began to look around once again, trying to look for something, a silver lining, a glimmer that offered some sort of hope, anything that could help, even if, in the end, it'd remain futile. For a moment, the recording from before had crossed his mind, thinking about it, maybe this was a bad idea, maybe he should've gone to Door 1-A instead, like Arlet jokingly suggested from before, but it's not like he could do much about that, all he could do is hope that this was all just a simple bad dream, one you could simply just wake up from.\n\nStarbi then looked back, noticing to see that the claws had been moving strangely. Starbi began to feel nervous, he couldn't exactly tell what the claws were doing, but most likely, it wasn't helping. Starbi aimed the gun at the claws again, but now, he took a glance at Arlet, he tried shooting before in the sense of urgency to help her, but now he was significantly much more closer to the white haired woman, who knows if he managed to hit Arlet with the bullets from before, not to mention the fact that the claws are still in tact. Glancing away, Starbi then aimed away from Arlet, and then tried to shoot at one of the claws to at least try and stall them from whatever they were doing.\n \n\n*``BanG``\nWent the gun once more, in hopes for it to do anything. But similar to before, no dice, as the claws remained intact, Starbi just had to do it again in hope of anything working in the two's favor, who knows what would happen if the two stayed here a second longer, Arlet and Starbi certainly didn't. Focused on trying to find a way to free both him And* Arlet, the Starborn was oblivious to the maggot's hive minded-like movement towards Arlet for a fresh new meal, dead or alive, most likely the latter. Had he remained distracted by his thinking, he may have not had to watch and see as the maggots make their way to her with ease, but one couldn't be that clueless, could they?\n\nStarbi looked back at Arlet, to then notice that now, she, as well as the claws had little white specks moving around her at a pace in apparent unison. Starbi was at a loss for words, and thoughts from the sudden surreal scenery laid against his eyes, it hadn't clicked yet, but they did seem familiar, it was as if he instantly forgot about the maggots around the two when they ascended up in this calm storm of corpses. It then clicked, the image of the first deteriorating body that he rewarded with a fearful yelp playing in his mind, it wasn't difficult for Starbi to put two and two together, time was ticking, he needed to save Arlet before she became a raw pile of flesh for the maggots to sink their atom-sized teeth into.\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"H-Hey, don't worry– I'll...\" ☆]\n```\nThe Starborn spoke in haste as he then aimed his gun at Arlet, ready to pull the trigger, one second passed as Starbi out-of-nowhere decided not to pull the trigger, looking at Arlet's face, he didn't want to hurt her while trying to get the maggots off of her, but maybe...\n``BanG!``\nAnother shot rang out against one of the claws restraining Arlet, Starbi tried to use his gun as a sort of warning for the maggots to get away from her, but nothing worked as the maggots kept getting closer and closer as they slid across the metal and flesh of Arlet and the claws.\n\nTime was ticking, Starbi had to do something;\n\n```\n[☆ \"Don't worry– I'm coming to help!\" ☆]\n```\nHe promised with urgency as he tried to free himself as best as he could, placing both of his hands flat against the claws to push himself upwards; with some sort of strange luck, Starbi was able to push himself up a little, it was as if the claws' grip of his torso had loosened after he had been brought up to this void-like sea. Using most of his strength, Starbi let out a few grunts, and little by little, Starbi was able to get out of the grasp of the claws. Starbi then let out a sigh, as he took a glance at Arlet and her inevitable fate, washed with dread, Starbi got back to pushing himself out, he couldn't take a break, not now.\n\nTime was ticking, Starbi pushed himself upwards, and he was then able to lift his right knee upwards to push his foot against the top side of the claw, Starbi didn't waste any time, he pushed himself up hastily to then quickly jump over to Arlet, unfortunately, one of the claws' fingers managed to pierce Starbi's pant leg and as well as scratch his ankle. Pain coursed up to Starbi's calf, and in turn, lost his balance, against the pain, Starbi used his right leg to push himself off the claw, as he was then flung against the edge of Arlet's claws.\n \n\nStarbi was exhausted with little to no energy, but there was no time to waste. Despite hanging from the edge of the claws holding Artlet, Starbi did his best to pull one of the claws' fingers to hinder its grip on her, Starbi even pushed his right foot against the side of the claw for extra help, nothing was on his mind besides to free Arlet. Even with all of his raw strength, Starbi wasn't successful in freeing Arlet, Starbi couldn't do anything, he exerted all his energy to try and pull, rewarded with one of the claws opening slightly. \n\nStarbi was out of breath, he couldn't do anything anymore, he was too tired. But the one thing he shouldn't have done was look up. As he unfortunately did so, he was met with the lifeless eyes of the person he tried to save, Arlet. Her head tilting forward with no movement, one might say she was still alive, but just dying very... Very... Slowly.\n\nStarbi's eyes widened with fear, as he froze with his eyes staring back at her dull eyes. Shock coursed through his body as he felt weak, very weak. In the span of a second, he lost his grip for a moment but managed to still hang on, he didn't want to let go.\n\n\n```\n[☆ \"N– no, I-I...\" ☆]\n```\nHe muttered.\n\n...\n\n...\n\n...\n\n*``BanG!``\nA gunshot was heard, piercing arlet in the forehead. \n\n```\n[☆ \"I couldn't save her...\" ☆]\n```" }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "Dead.\nShe sighed, it was a rather unfortunate turn of events but Alexis had been in this line of work for some time, she grew desensitised to gore, decomposing bodies and horrific stenches after a few months, and to her temporary colleagues dying after about a year and a half.\nAll that mattered now was to try save the one who was still alive.\nShe came to a stop, floating in the space between Starbi and the corpse formerly known as Arlet.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"Hey, wake up\" \n```\nHer eyes glowed subtly in the dark, staring at Starbi, giving her the appearance of some sort of uncanny sleep paralysis demon.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"You don't have time for a breakdown now, save it for when we're safe\" \n```\nThe words were harsh, but they came from a place of concern, hesitation lead to death and they were the very same words that had once been conveyed to her some time ago, in a tangentially similar situation.\nHer third eye twitched to focus on the glowing cube, and she turned it psychically, to point toward one of the bodies, Holding* It in place actively.\nShe made sure that both Starbi and the cube were in her line of sight, then, straining and concentrating, she began to pry the claw open." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "Alexis was successful in her immediate effort of turning the cube away. The claw that held Starbi proved to be resistant, and red-eyed maggots did attempt to bite at her whilst trying to pry open the claw, but not too long after, she could free him due to the metals initial malfunction. She could take him as she pleased— however, once freed, the collective agenda of what surrounded the two of them shifted from the deceased Arlet. The silver cube, after a few moments of internal struggle, able to magically Shed Alexis's telekinetic control over its surface, forcing her non-corporal grasp to relinquish itself through uncertain means. It seemed to possesses some sort of integral durability or powerful resistance that made it capable of loosening itself from even the harshest of grips, physical or not. This was no simple or normal method of illumination, that was for certain. \n\nThe claw that held the box entered a sudden backtrack, zooming backwards away from the two of them as if it intent on protecting what it held, creating exceptional distance and making it difficult to even see it between all the already present claw machines surrounding Alexis and Starbi. Moreover, something strange occurred with Arlet's corpse, seeming to move slightly postmortem; a faintly colored light of potently orange and blue hues, being somewhat transparent in composition as it traveled towards the silver box, entering through its backside wall. What that exactly meant was unclear, but there was evidently no time to come up with a conclusion— because now being in control again, the claw that held the box turned it slowly to face frontwards, and that blue light returned to illuminate the endless void from afar. It directly hit the positions of Alexis and Starbi, like a grim spotlight. It was hard enough to see their surroundings already, let alone the glaring light shoved in front of them.\n\nSuddenly, all of the claws that were ever concerned with the box mechanically shifted, turning to Face Alexis and Arlet. Moreover, those beady-eyed maggots that crawled amongst the metals looked towards them as well, seemingly ready to pounce on and tear the flesh of who they hoped to be their next meal. Alexis would be wise to not allow Starbi to enter freefall, but also to move quickly— because in rapid succession, the claws rocketed towards the two of them, with awaiting maggots inclined to jump on the shoulders of either of them provided they were reach, let alone effectively grabbed by the machines. \n\nThe sheer number of claws would make it difficult for Alexis to navigate through the hoard of them, akin to a cliche movie scene where a character dodges all of the red triggers with agility and skill. Moving them with her abilities was an option, but again, the quantity remained a concern. In all likelihood, her best bet was to simply move as concisely and yet as Quickly As she fathomably could until she could think of a possible solution, identifying a weak- point or finding an escape. The box seemed critical in controlling what their some alive and some not enemies did, but the question remained if she could even reach it. Perhaps Starbi could put his weapon to good use." }, { "author": "dreamstxr", "message": "I'll try and get one message in by tomorrow" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "It was before Alexis had made it close to the two, in this passage of time, it was just him and Arlet's corpse. Starbi's body was still clinging to the side of the claws holding Arlet's now marinated corpse. The side of Starbi's hand was pressed against his forehead, he seemed to be in thought, perhaps he was feeling stressed after shooting Artlet in the forehead. Starbi's head then moved away and turned as he looked down to the endless abyss below him, staring down the familiar scenery with dull eyes, no words were being said, just silence.\n\nIt was then Starbi's head turned back to look at the surface of the claw, the dull expression on his face remaining. A sigh escaped from Starbi's mouth; eyes now closed in sync with said sigh. Starbi's eyes then opened once again. Starbi's legs began climbing up the claw, angling up to what seemed to be a position for him to jump off of the claws— back into the abyss. As he was ready to do so, he heard the sound of someone's voice, calling him to wake up, it made Starbi's body tense up and freeze, still clinging to the claw holding Arlet's corpse. \n\nIt wasn't before long that Starbi's eyes noticed glowing eyes in the dark. Alexis would've been met with a mixed expression on Starbi's face staring back at her before she said her harsh words of concern. \n \n\n```\n[☆ \"Oh, uh... Right.\" ☆]\n\nHe spoke, his voice now more restful than before, it sounded more relaxed, perhaps it was a voice that would've made Tom dislike him less, but that wasn't important. Starbi's eyes looked back down to the abyss. Now Alexis was here, it seemed that a new plan was in order. Then, Starbi's body swung itself up to sit on the claw holding Arlet. \n\nWith Starbi's eyes, he looked over to Arlet's corpse, a disturbed expression painted on Starbi's face. Starbi's hand then moved over to his face to wipe off the blood on his face, Starbi's colorful gloves were stained with blood, but that was the least of his concerns, at least Starbi now had the blood off of his face. \n\n[☆ \"So uh—\" ☆]\n\nStarbi's voice now broke the silence between the two, a question was proposed, his eyes on the hand he used to wipe his face moving to Arlet.\n\n[☆ \"Do we just— leave her here?\" ☆]\n\nHe asked, Starbi's eyes moving from Arlet to Alexis.\n```\n\n \nRegardless of whether Alexis answered his question or not. He wouldn't have responded due to his attention shifting to the claw zooming away from the two, unaware of Arlet swarmed with faint skelebro-colored hues, before noticing said colors traveling to the box, Starbi's head turned to look to the source of it, looking at Arlet swarmed with colors made Starbi's body shift away from her, seemingly uncomfortable. It was then that the two were met with a bright blue light, Starbi's arms used to shield himself from the sudden spotlight.\n\nBut it was the least of the two's concerns in comparison to the claws now moving to face Arlet and Alexis. Noticed by Starbi's eyes, he acted fast, turning to Alexis with a quick ``Watch out!`` escaping his mouth, with Starbi's hand against the surface of the claw he was sitting on, he then pushed himself up to stand up, the pain from Starbi's leg still present but wasn't a problem. He wasn't sure if using the gun would work seeing how Starbi's use of it didn't work before when trying to help save Arlet. With little time, Starbi's eyes looked to see the silver box in the distance, as he then gained an idea, he wasn't sure if Alexis had an idea herself to share, but the best he could do was just take this chance now. Turning to Alexis, he spoke:\n\n```\n[☆ \"Hey, I'm going to need you to use that telekinesis thing you have to get me over there, just throw me as far as you can, quick!\" ☆]\n```\nStarbi's voice ordered with haste, his body then turning back to the box in the distance, prepared if Alexis would listen to what he asked of her." }, { "author": "Alexis Ubersich", "message": "Alexis didn't respond, simply giving a melancholy look in response, all things considered there was a significant chance that this room would be the final resting place for everyone inside, but surviving in this field of work required a degree of abstraction and desensitisation.\nShe turned her attention to matters that were far more pressing, clearly there was more to the glowing box than she had first assumed as it retreated, as if there was some intelligence here that was intent on strategically protecting its vital components.\nTime was of the essence.\n\n```\n\u001b[0;40;34m \"Dont throw up.\" \n```\nThrowing Starbi in these conditions was likely a one way trip to getting grabbed again, instead she wrapped her arm around his waist lifting him with little effort, granted he was incredible light but Alexis was anything but muscular.\n\nAn uneasy feeling of weightlessness would befall him, as if gravity had suddenly ceased to exist and it would only get worse as they began to move, quickly they dropped, moving about 6 feet in a matter of seconds, then began to travel below the claws and toward the glowing box at considerable speed, each time a claw swung for them they would immediately switch direction haphazardly dodging back and fourth, it was almost as if his organs moved at a different speed than the rest of his body, lurching back and fourth in a manner that threatened to send him into unconscious.\nApposed to popular media representation, flying was quite unpleasant.\n\nAs they neared the target she would release her grip from Starbi, floating him up within range to do, whatever it was he planned to, they matched the speed of the claws now and she would need to use her powers to keep them at bay, focusing on so many objects, constantly moving, her head ached, sweat poured down her face, and apparently she burst a blood vessel at some point judging by the stream of blood dripping from her nose and staining her shirt." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "Matters were growing increasingly difficult to navigate, because indeed, time was of the essence. Alexis would be able to grab Starbi and put him into a position where he could, in theory, attack the cube, albeit the numerous of claws throwing themselves at her would make it more then tedious and energy consuming to even get there, let alone dealing with the aftermath or keeping them away. Still, the Starborn nonetheless had a clean shot at the glowing cube, because the box itself was Focused On Alexis, as were the claws. It redirected its light directly onto Ms. Ubersich and practically ignored the former, but at the cost of forcing her to deal with the onslaught that would Eventually Evolve. At a certain point, the claws would adapt and surpass Alexis's maximum speed whilst airborne, which would leave her fate uncertain putting it generously. Starbi would have to act quickly and, for the sake of his ally, Correctly.\n\nThe cube stayed exactly in place, held by its chosen claw. There was no valuable indication of its durability or weaknesses, but one could assume it wouldn't be a cakewalk to destroy, let alone inflict damage. Moreover, Starbi would be wise to not get Too Close, because if they did, the claw would simply move the cube away from them— unless he was Quick Enough to get there before it realized he was present. Perhaps if he waited for a precise moment between what Alexis was fighting off, he could jump at the right moment while the box was occupied by directing mayhem, but that again risked Alexis's life in prolonging his approach, not to mention whatever the claw would do to Starbi. Shooting it with a projectile as many times as possible was the safest option practically speaking, but would that really do the trick? A simple gunshot to a magical, superpowered cube that controls the entirety of their powerful foes within this Inn? Wouldn't it simply pull itself away regardless? The only way to confirm anything was to act. A life depended on it, or would Starbi take That One as well?\n\nThere wasn't a lot of time to make a decision. At the worst, Starbi causing Some Level at harm would be ideal, if not mandatory, even if it sustained the hit. Alexis could very well identify the increasing speeds of the claws and could have incentive to try to pull themselves away given that they would no longer be able to match the vastly evolving potency of the metal grabbers. Perhaps hitting the cube in and of itself would push the light away from Alexis and help her regardless, then? There were too many variables to be certain without concise information, but they didn't have a choice either way. Action was demanded of them both, and they'd have to live with whatever choice they made— or, well, maybe not. . ." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "As Alexis picked up Starbi's body, the sudden sense of weightlessness would phase him for a moment, however, it was not noticeable due to the formed on Starbi's face. It would only get somewhat worse as the telepath carrying him began to do what he had asked of her before. Luckily, it was only a few seconds for him to get used to the sudden pace of movement, which came with his focused expression breaking for a moment, then reforming quickly. He and Alexis had more important matters.\n\nOnce the two were close enough which in turn had Alexis float Starbi's body. It was a critical moment, everything would have depended on what he would do now, it was practically do or die. Luckily, he already had a course of action which was quickly crafted, it was practically the best... If not the Only Course of action that could be done for him to get Starbi and Alexis out of here. \n\nIf he was lucky, he would be able to grasp his hand against one of the claw's fingers. Now with a form of ground to rely on, Starbi's hand raised, aiming the gun at the cube that was nestled into the hostile metal of the claw. Squinting his eyes, he pulled the trigger. A *``BanG!``* Sounding out amidst the web of claws and corpses, the bullet crashing against the box, the outcome decided by the authenticity of that box's silver look." }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "I dont think there is litterally anything alexis can do other than continue doing what she is doing so" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "Tis why star only pinged me\n\nThe gunshot meets its target. Starbi's plan proves successful, and upon the bullet making contact with the cube, the various functions it controls falter. The claw that once firmly gripped the box malfunctions and releases, whereas the group of them gradually attacking Alexis suddenly weakened, if not powering down altogether and separating themselves from her position, no longer forcing her to defend herself so adamantly. The light that it emitted begins to twitch and wane as it entered freefall, albeit not before providing them an uncertain message during a period of vital decision making. Each and everything they did, layered in unclear variability, could decide their fate. A game of chance, and of life or death.\n\n``\"RIGHT. RIGHT. RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT.\"``\n\nA series of unknown voices, practically talking over one another, creating an unstable tone and yet uttering coherent statement from within the box Itself. It repeats directions, not indicating anything furthermore, and it was hard to say whether these instructions where to be trusted objectively speaking, especially when considering the earlier incident with the voice recording. However, it stands to reason that someone with Alexis's capabilities in light of its weakened overall defenses could now discern a truth; the box contained the taken Souls Of, most likely, who used to be alive within the Inn, fellow hunters and freelancers alike. Therefore, those who were speaking could've either been the cube controlling what remained of them, or the little of their spirits that were alive attempting to Help By giving them a way out. There was no easy way to determine that, though. Much of its nature would demand further evaluation in a less dangerous space.\n\nThe claws did quickly reactivate, but instead of resuming chase on Starbi and Alexis, they prioritized the falling cube, the master of their functionality. However, the claws were slower being that they were completed out of commission and required time to reacclimate, meaning that if so bold, Alexis and Starbi had the choice of going after the box instead. Conversely, they could go 'right' as the voices that rang out instructed them into the extended darkness and gamble on trusting the dead, or so it appeared. For what it was worth, based on the amount of damage Starb with one bullet did, it stood to reason that the cube was not nearly as durable as it could've been assumed, making continued pursuit more viable provided it wouldn't be too difficult. A split-second decision had to be made here, and despite progress made, time was Still Of the essence. It all depended on what they did." } ]	535	8,859
294.2	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "aa", "message": "`Wrong place, wrong time.`\n\nCumhall's question into the darkness would be met with an answer. The initial, silent armored clatter was followed up by several more of equally distant nature — then, as the faintness of the clatter grew closer, it clearer grew into individual, distinct footsteps that resonated with metallic clarity as they encroached on the outsider. \n\nSoon, even through the thick darkness of the illusory cloud that encompassed Cumhall, he could see the silhouette of an individual approaching: armored, yet not quite knightly, and one whose armor was an almost leaden hue (though it likely could not truly be lead for the hindrance of its extreme weight). Standing at a most human stature of 176cm, the armored individual made his appearance in a most unnatural manner, emerging from the shroud of the dark as though he had stepped forth from a thick smoke — his armor's distinct shape was instantaneously granted depth and clarity the moment he entered the remote proximity of the outsider, armor's contours lit by the whole of the full moon's light overhead, despite the fact that such a lunar body was completely unseen from within the illusory barrier.\n\nIt was as if he was exempt from the illusion's effect.\n\n`Clink!`\n\nThe shrouding illusory darkness swirled, its shape twisting, as, within the armored individual's left hand, was instantaneously created — or perhaps simply removed from the effects of the mystifying illusion — a weapon; a Mace, Made of the similar leaden metal that construed his armor. The weapon clinked with a weighty and metallic high-pitch tone against the greaves of the individual unaffected by the illusion, as he continued to step through the dark and obscure landscape as though solely he were lit by a spotlight. The inert weapon hung weightily behind him in his stride forward, as he approached Cumhall without so much as a word nor a single shared display of body-language, Seemingly preparing for combat." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He turned around to face his foe, his eyes narrowed and his hand moved away from the gun, the quick firing bursts of energy would do little against metal armour, he considered his moves, his opponent was certainly not the talkative sort and seemed to hold hostile intent, but Cumhall would not strike first, he never struck first, not unless his opponent audibly voiced their intent to do harm like, shouting I'm gonna literally murder you Or something, probably less goofy. The point was he wouldn't be tricked into making the first move, he'd learnt that lesson over 30 years ago.\n\nHe exhaled, rolled his joints, and crackled his knuckles for it would seem the time had come for some old fashioned fisticuffs, or well New Fashioned, they didn't exactly have highly advanced cybernetic limbs in the 17th century." }, { "author": "aa", "message": "Though the armored man was, indeed, excluded from the visually-impairing facet of the illusory barrier which encompassed the whole of the Second Floor's commons, it sounded as though he was not excluded from its auditory effects. With a subtle shift in his posture, the silenced clatter of his armor, and the shifting of his grip on his mace — him extending it to point slightly up and toward Cumhall — the armored man as though lit by spotlight stanced himself declaratively, his voice in the silence—\n\n`\".... .... ...... ......\"`\n\n—quelled almost in its entirety. Though they stood at no more than about four-to-five-meters' distance, Cumhall could not hear the armored man's words; only faint murmurs. And it was likely that any words that Cumhall would attempt to speak back would be swallowed by such an all-present, ever-persistent silence, manifest by the arcane nature of the illusory barrier. A most troublesome circumstance to be in. It certainly appeared as though the armored stranger was attempting to say something to Cumhall, but the silence brought all such attempts to naught.\n_ _\n\n`\".....?\"`\n`\"...\"`\n\n`\"ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵈᵉˢⁱˢᵗ?!`\n\n—His voice, suppressed, yet not in the slight intended to be quiet, rang out with subtle clarity in Cumhall's ears. Words of warning, or perhaps words of frustration; either way, it looked and sounded as though the armored man was not pleased. \n\nWith an idle swing of his leaden mace through the air ahead of himself, the armored man took an intentful step forward, practically stomping, before he shot with surprising agility and speed straight toward Cumhall. In one second, he had cleared almost the entire distance between the two, and in two seconds, he had already begun his attack. The man swung not his mace, but his empty right fist toward Cumhall, leaning the whole of his bodyweight into a straight punch toward his jaw. A debilitating, yet not instantaneously incapacitating attack, and one certainly without any lethal intent." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"...WHAT?\" -\n- \"..WHAT? I- WHAT?\" -\n```\nHis defensive stance slacked slightly in the pure and utter confusion, but as the man ceased talking and prepared for an assault, his stance tensed up again and the small panels on his arm that contained the thrusters flared out.\n1.. 2. Two seconds, was half a second more than Cumhall needed to anticipate the attack, he dodged to the left, the man's fist swinging millimetres from the side of his helmet.\nHis arm drew back, and with a `KSHOOOOO` It rocketed forward suddenly, aimed straight for the man's lower ribs." }, { "author": "...", "message": "Heavily-armored and with unnatural, crashing momentum, the armored man's fist swung forward like a sledgehammer. It was clear that his strength was far beyond human—raw power seemed his specialty. Luckily, however, Cumhall's anticipation and dodge carried cleanly through, and so too did his counter.\n\nThe metallic arm crashes against his abdomen, causing the leaden-hued metal plates to briefly buckle with its rocket-propelled force, but not causing them to outright deform. The momentum transfers fully into his body and he recoils backward, knocked a full armslength back from Cumhall. He coughed and he grumbled and it seemed there was some amount of hesitation as he stood opposite Cumhall, stationary and lowering one hand to rest above where he was struck.\n\nIt was an impact too much for the average person to handle—even armored—but as it had been proven to the outsider once before, those of the Vektet Were much more naturally resilient than the average human. The armored man mumured before stomping forward again, almost identically performing the exact same move as before. This time leading with his left hand, he shot a strong straight for his opponent's jaw. He was in for a slugfest, plain and simple." } ]	253	1,471
543.255814	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Abstral, Taash, and Kuouo ran alongside one another eastward, yet Kuouo was quick to break off to his own unique destination. He soon went northward, unlike any of the other two, and in the moment he turned his body to shift direction, he immediately lost sight of the two companions who embarked through the commons with him. Instantaneously were their silhouettes swallowed in the ever-present darkness of the illusory shroud which dominated the commons' humble, yet certainly not diminutive, midst.\n\nIt was only the same sight of ashen wood emerging and then disappearing back into the darkness as Kuouo began his sprint, and even through the early phases when he continued northward. Monotonous, drab colors would appear in their vague forms in his sightlines for a few seconds, then disappear back into the darkness as he crossed further beyond them, each all similar in material-type and build, to be used as no more than residencies for the commonfolk of the Second Floor. And even if he attempted to knock or enter in uninvited to such housings, such attempts would result in little-to-no-fruit; each house was locked, and attempting to communicate with those within would result in nothing but deafening silence. As such, there was no real choice but to continue moving forward. Northward, toward... Something, hopefully.\n\nSomething, hopefully. And something, hopefully, soon.\n\n...\n\nKuouo would continue in his sprint for minutes without spotting... Anything.\nMore residencies. More snow. More darkness. More silence. And more nothing.\n_ _\n\nIt was only into the latter quarter of his sprint that he would begin to spot things that caught his eyes. \nIn the snow, Faint reflections of streaks of metal. In the snow, wood which jut from the ground in regulated intervals. The wood and metal which extended up from the ground would remain mysterious in nature initially, yet as he continued further northward, the snow-layer of the ground grew thinner, and, finally, he could see — the metal streaks were Rails, And the wood that he could faintly see poking from the ground were Tracks. Minecart tracks in particular, from what he could deduct from their size and form. Such rails continued ever-northward across the horizon of darkness, where, as if to match the quarrying theme of such infrastructure, the residencies were no longer built of ashen wood, but rather pearly stone brick — akin to the type that construed the great wall the outsider had just come from.\n\nFollowing the rails seemed like a wise course of action.\n\nNorthward, northward, ever-forward, at full pace for just a moment longer, Kuouo would finally emerge into a large opening — he finally travelled so far that he had reached its northern boundary. The minecart tracks continued forward, and if he were to follow them, he'd—\n\n\n*`ʰᵒʷˡ`\n\n—have to watch his step.\n\nBefore him stood the sight of a quarry — a vast hole in the ground, roughly 20 meters in diameter, and so deep that, in this illusory darkness, he could not see its bottom.\nA corkscrewed path along the inner walls of the quarry led further down into its depths, yet the chilling howl of the winter wind which echoed throughout its midst practically screamed signs of forebodance to the intuition of the outsider. Withwhat the faint snow and shroud of darkness was, to continue further in would undoubtedly prove treacherous." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Hmn, looks like I'm on my own now. This fog really is kinda treacherous. I oughta watch my step, 'd hate to trip over a stupid rock.\"```\n\nKuouo muttered to himself as he sprinted across the obfuscated snowfield within the commons. In doing so, he kept his sense of sound focused for anything out of the ordinary, passing by each abode constructed of ashen wood with an ear out for, well, Anything* Out of the ordinary: Hushed words concealed by the patter of falling snow, sharp insults thrown about preceding a quarrel, or alarmed screeching paralyzed with anxiety... Yet, nothing of the sort presented itself to the bandit's ears - and it was not like he could investigate each house for clues on the matter. He compared the situation to a JRPG, feeling like it'd be much easier to just enter anybody's house with no invitation whatsoever and just start asking questions to the homeowner. Alas, this was no game, and the bandit had to play by the rules in order to keep drawing attention to himself.\n\n. . .\n\nKuouo's mind would slightly grow weary of the situation at hand, feeling like he was stuck in a generic animation loop of the same snow and similar structures with slight differentiations, all cloaked by the same mist that drifted in the snippy air. That is, until something new to the snowscape caught his attention. He didn't catch it with his eyes at first, rather, his padded paws knocked against something solid on the ground, something that retained the cold much more than frozen flakes itself. Glinting from the artifical moonlight shining above, he'd see a sliver of frostbitten metal peeking from the ground.\n\n```fix\n\"Huh, howzabout that...\"```\n\nKuouo would kneel down on the ground, placing a heated palm on the metal to see what direction it'd keep going. Of course, it continued northward, the same direction he hadn't broke away from. Curious, he stood back up and continued his sprint with the metal streaks locked within his vision. As the snow waned, it slowly revealed itself to be Rails — Minecart rails To be specific. Furthermore, the residencies would too change, transitioning from mere wood abodes to well-construed stone housing, peaking his curiosity even further. He kept forward, continuing to focus on the houses for any outsiders interacting with the locals — after all, despite the curiosity displaying itself in front of him, he still had to keep the gameplan in mind. He'd keep following the tracks, eyes un-affixed of what was in front of him until——\n\nCrk... Rkcrk..\n\n``ʰᵒʷˡ``\n\nHe'd nearly lunge himself into a deep pit that would've certainly been his death, had he not caught himself last moment. He clenched his teeth, wobbling backwards with his eyes widened from the sudden void that presented itself seemingly out of nowhere.\n\n```fix\n\"SHITSHITSHIT—\"```\n\nKuouo re-aligned his balance and covered his mouth before shakily exhaling a frosty breath. ``'Angel fuckin' above, I almost damn near killed myself. The hell is this thing anyways...'`` He took just a moment more to gain his bearings before looking at the mine quarry in front of him. The anxiety from just moments ago was overtaken by the same curiosity before, now multiplied. What was something like this doing here, on an ark no less? Cultivating food resources made sense, but mining resources was a little weird. Nonetheless, there was absolutely a chance that either The Rook, Cumhall, or that Nekomimi took part in that same curiosity, at least, that's how the bandit justified it. Using just a mere fireball as light to guide his steps, he'd make his way down the howling quarrel, paying no mind to the dangers it forebode but still careful enough to watch his step through its corkscrewed path." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The descent down was long, cold, and eerie. The path was, by no means, OSHA-compliant; the entire damn thing was covered in a thick layer of snow, and some of the weller-walked portions of the path had become so packed with the stuff it had grown downright icy. It was a slippery slope, and not one that he could afford to slip on, for a single mismanaged step would send him tumbling into the abyss below. He, even as cautious and unburdened as he was, would find the path precarious to walk. To imagine that it was a path for workers to use while carrying quarrying equipment and transporting barrows of heavy, dense resources up and down its frostbitten surface was downright absurd. \n\nIt should come as no surprise that the workers here were put under such conditions.\nYes, indeed, even in the world and society familiar to Kuouo, some people had to bear such burdens. All-the-more burdensome it would be under the reign of a tyrant.\n\nThe quarry is currently unworked, but its cavernous interior still rings with the monotonous clatter of steel slaving against stone.\nThe wind howls.\n\nDilapidated scaffoldings overlain with ice-bleached, fraying rags of tapestry. Cramped alcoves decorated with dirtied leather hides, burrowing into the cold stone of the quarry walls. Flattened 'landings' along the path, where ramshackle awnings supported by no more than two ashen wooden poles, bent and tilted by the beating winds and weight of snow above them. Thin torn sheets, decorating small designations where snow has been cleared, overtop laid with ice-and-dirt-laden sleeping furs, long abandoned. And manifold signs of where fires once burned, distinct blacks of char thickly penetrating the surface of stone, scarring it with its soot over thousands of days.\n_ _\n\nThese were all the signs of where the workers, miners, and transporters of the quarry once rested in their eternal days of labor. Yet all were empty, and ghostly so; as though the site had been abandoned at an unknown time in the past. For as far as the outsider knew, some of the signs could suggest the project was abandoned days ago. But, so too in the outsider's absence of context, could he perhaps conclude that it was Years Ago.\n\nTime was a fickle thing in this Ark, And to its people, years mattered as little as days, and days as little as seconds. As he had observed once before, all its residency were bound to eternity of life in each of its six Floors. This was just yet another one of those secluded eternities — an unending life in servitude, spanning hundreds of years in a quarry for a reason that neither he, nor the workers that slaved it, knew what for.\n\nTunnels that burrow left-and-right, up-and-down, diagonal-and-straight, twining throughout the lower rungs of the quarry. Strange platforms emerging from the walls far higher above ground level than standard. Peculiar overlooks with no observable access-points. Catwalks that stretched across the shrunken lower diameter of the quarry.\n\nAs Kuouo approached the last quarter of his descent of the quarry, he noted such peculiarities in its construction and its excavation. What once appeared to be the workers' simple expedition downward now grew into a peculiar array of construction-mining that formed a labyrinthine system of interwoven pathways and vantagepoints whose access points he could not openly identify. Tunnels diverted from the main corkscrewed path downward, leaving to heavens-know-where — they stretched so far and twisted so much that their ends extended into the nihil of darkness, their cold, unforgiving interiors imploring a sense of warning to the bandit: He should not stray from the path he is on, lest the pearlescent bowels of this quarry's earth swallow him whole.\n_ _\n\nContinuing \n Further\n Down\n The \n Path...\n\n*`CLINK`\n\nThe sound of metal against stone sounds some distance ahead of Kuouo, further in the dark distance. It sounded as though metal had met stone with intent to break it—\n\n`FFT!`\n\n—a rock, near as big as one's fist, cut through the darkness as a projectile. It hurled toward the bandit's head with harrowing ferocity, its momentum certain to be enough to crack his face wide open.* Only narrowly would it soar past his brow, missing him by no more than a few centimeters' breadth." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Yeesh, dunno how anybody manages t' actually work in this thing. It was a fuckin' death trap OUTSIDE, much less in 'ere. Ain't no way they actually push shit up this pathway. Had't've used magic, right?\"```\n\nThe bandit muttered to himself, hoping that the laborers that worked within the mine didn't have to endure such a harsh condition; all the while staring at his paws under the dim orange light his fireball provided, ensuring that each step was made on solid stone enveloped in black ice. \n\nHe'd take a few steps further down, the light glowing from his left palm intensifying as soon as he was sure its light wouldn't leak out onto the surface above before unveiling a myriad of mining appliances. Abandoned. Completely weathered by the wind and snow that had battered them for Years It seemed. Now normally, any project such as this would replace these tools and alike to ensure their integrity and safety, especially with the labyrinthian tunnels and pathways dug deep into the stone below. Even if preforming labor under tyrannical rule, a rudimentary amount of safety was needed to ensure efficiency yet these abandoned structures were anything but. With that in mind, Kuouo concluded that the mine Definitely abandoned. Which would only bring the question...\n\nWhat was that sound...? It was a pattern, a strong, rhythmic clink of metal clanking against rock. It had an echo that ghostly reverberated within the quarry, pairing well with the howling wind. For some reason, the sound wasn't completely foreign, almost as if Kuo had heard subconsciously just moments bef—\n\nPAHK!!- Cruum... Ble...\n\nA rock, no larger than a softball in size, barreled above the bandit's snout, only missing him by mere centimeters from a lucky step downwards. His head snapped towards the impact it made in the wall, attempting to discern the direction it came in, but it was all too dark. Frustrated with the shadows aiding this strange enemy, the bandit extinguished his guiding fireball, taking this moment of darkness to improperly unsheathe it, tucking it under his left thumb as mana gathered within his palms. His adversary's element of surprise was now futile and the monster was going to turn the table back into his favor!\n\n```fix\n\"Show yerself!\"```\n\nWith the speed of a well-oiled piston, the bandit launched and reloaded a great manner of small fireballs into the darkness, each firing off into the air before slowing to a stop. Initially, they'd barely make a dent in the blackness, but with a clutch of Kuouo Aiche Dee's hand, they'd triple in size, illuminating the quarry in a brilliant, primal orange light and hopefully revealing his assailant.\n\n```fix\n\"At a snap of my fingers, I can immolate ya worse than the inside of a smelter! Now tell me what the hell yer deal is before I douse ya in hellflames!!\"```\n\nOf course, almost having his face crushed in with some random rock was more than enough to arouse his anger. Whoever this is, if the light reveals their person, might have to choose their actions carefully. The bandit, even if on a noble quest, would not still his hand from delivering punishing licks of flames — especially against someone directly antagonizing him. If they don't want to get hurt, They'd better have a damn good reason." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The wind howls, and there is a long pause following the sudden attack.\n\nDespite what all lack of sight Kuouo possessed, it didn't seem as though he could catch sight of movement from where the rock came from. There was no sign of motion in the thick darkness ahead of himself, and no audible noise — the sound-snuffing property of the resilient illusory barrier which enshrouded the night would see to such. Only the howl of the wind resonates in Kuouo's ears, as he is left without response in the cold of night for moments on end, without even a single sign of further attack, or someone responding...\n\n...\n\n...Yet, just before the outsider might think the coast to be clear, just before he would think the persisting silence would mean the end of the unseen adversary's attack, he would hear something — something close, and something coming from the opposite direction as the stone.\n\nFrom behind him." }, { "author": "...", "message": "*S\n W\n I\n N\n G\n !!!\n\nIn the same stride that the man emerged from a tunnel immediately behind Kuouo, the concealed form of the lunging miner shifted with all the might of his hips in a turn of his weight, swinging a silvery pickaxe for the bandit's neck in seeking to catch him unawares.* Despite what all lethality might be assumed of the attack, the pick was not aimed for his flesh — rather, the pickaxe's trajectory was expertly guided so that the sharp (and certainly deadly) end of the pickaxe would glance beyond the front of Kuouo's neck, the only site of impact being the blunt of the handle against his throat. It certainly wouldn't be pleasant, were he to be hit, and it certainly would be gravely injuring, yet it would not lethally wound him.\n\nWhether the powerful blow backed by dozens-and-dozens of years of bodily tempering to swing a pickaxe collided with its target or not, the miner would continue in the arc of the swing until the end of the pickaxe ended beside his right hip. Revealed now in the proximity of the bandit, and emerged from the tunnel in which he hid, the common-seeming miner would stand at a tall-average of 185cm, hair a grayish-white, and the specifics of his face shrouded in shadow; he wore loose cloth wrappings about his hair, and the shadow of such a head-dressing overshadowed and obscured the details of his face. No shirt did he wear, revealing a remarkably robust frame of wholly untanned skin, roughened, marred, marked, scarred and tattered over many years of stonework. \n_ _\n\nIndeed, everything about such a man would speak the words \"Average menial-laborer\", yet his faintly-seen, light-blue eyes resounded with fire and splendor. His heart blazed with intent unknown, his hand guided keenly with some sort of greater intent. Intent which Kuouo would not yet be able to ascertain — for what could he know of a man whom he has not traded with anything but attacks and threats?" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "The cave, illuminated with a light akin to a Chinese lantern festival, stood completely still, revealing nothing to the bandit. Despite the crumbs of shattered rock dotting the ground in front of him, there was not a single sign of life to be seen nor heard. The fireball's ferocity wavered in the desolate howls of the wind before extinguishing to a single guiding flame in front of Kuouo once more. \n\n~~\"... Must've been the wind.\"~~\n\n```fix\n\"Hnn.. Gonna gun n' run for it, huh?\"```\n\nLike the flames that engulfed the quarry in a burning light, the embers of Kuo's fiery personality cooled down enough for his rationale to take back its place. There Definitely Was somebody roaming these caverns, but like a kitchen rat, they must've skittered away into the shadows, waiting only for the lightbulb to shut off in order to make its next move. The bandit knew this game of cat and mouse well, having played it himself in his previous endeavors. The cat — or goat for that matter — stood still for a couple moments, attempting to discern the slightest variation of sound away from the torrent-like sound of the illusory barrier's thick gusts but. . .\n\nNothing. . .\n\n``'He might be hidin' somewhere down where he attacked or prolly went deeper int' the quarry...'`` The bandit rationalized. He'd keep his dagger unsheathed, but dropped his immediate guard, taking a right step forward. He'd conti—\n\nA sound didn't par with the wind.\n\nThe bandit's eyes widen at the sight of a figure raising its left arm in the shadows produced by his own fireball. Once again, acting purely on instinct that ended up being detrimental to his own being by instantly pivoting on his right foot, rising his like-sided arm and catching the sharp point of the pickaxe in his forearm, the silver material instantly piercing and etching into his flesh. A multitude of pains blitzed through his nerves, the burning of open flesh, the bruising of impact, and radiating pulses of shock throughout the rest of his arm. However, holding back a yelp through chest pressure and grinding teeth, Kuo wouldn't Allow The arc of the miner's swing reach its intended destination along the right side of his hip, deepening his own wound while pushing the pickaxe in the reverse direction of its momentum before finally launching a counterattack of his own. Tightly grasping his dagger in a reverse edge-out grip, instead of opting to stab or slash the miner, the bandit pushed his right shoulder out, reeling his left paw back and attempting to clobber the shadow-enshrouded miner's face, his fist colliding with the miner's right cheek followed by a clean slice from the corner of their ear to the tip of their lip if connected. Finally, to get some breathing space, the bandit would advance forward, rising a knee to their abdomen before taking a few steps back.\n\n```fix\n\"G-Ggh... The hell is your damn PROBLEM!? Who fuckin' fights with a pickaxe— Fuck it— What's your fuckin' deal bitchass? Had t' sneak up on me to land a clean hit...\"```\n\nIf this breathing space were to be granted, the bandit would continue to mutter several other insults and manners of pain under his breath as his right arm dangled in front of him, dust flying up into the air and eventually mixing with the snow around them. He'd look into their sky blue eyes, seeing some kind of fire burning with their SOUL — But what could it be? What would be so important to attack the bandit out of nowhere... Were they perhaps protecting something? Someone? These questions would be asked within the bandit's mind for as long as time allowed, waiting for the next response — whether it be physical or verbal — from the miner." }, { "author": "...", "message": "The assailant was not well-versed in combat. He was incredibly strong, decently fast for his size, and incredibly able-in-body all-round, with an unshakable endurance befitting only of such a hard-working soul as himself. Yet still, with all such physical prowess, he was, again, unversed in combat; his untrained gaze bewildered as he felt his pick's end not freely soaring through the air after forcing the enemy's head aside, but rather sinking deep into flesh, met with astonishing resistance. The pickaxe-wielding assailant's focus was averted when the bandit, whose battle-prowess far surmounted the miner's own, swiftly retaliated, and he could not muster the dexterity to shift his two-handed grip on the pickaxe. Blocking was out of the question, and he was, with blurred vision, left only to witness and to brace himself for the oncoming impact of his Kuouo's fist.\n\n`Trivial!`\n\nThe miner clenched his teeth as he firmed every muscle in his upper body, neck, face, and all, his overshadowed eyes of light-blue unshaking as they locked with the oncoming form of the bandit's fist. Illumined by the surrounding flickers of the hovering, lanternlike flames whose mere existence substantiated all his ardor and all his hostility toward the intruder, the pickaxe-wielding assailant could find no fear in his heart in the moment that Kuouo's attack approached, and instead only Spite. He had tolerated far worse, survived much harsher blows, and such a blunt attack couldn't even make him flin—\n\n*~~` S L A S H `~~\n_ _\n\nA blade concealed in a punch — an attack that his distracted eyes could not see through. Focused on the fist, he did not see the razor hidden within, and now warm crimson hurriedly cascaded down his pale flesh. The shock had only just barely begun to settle in as the bandit followed up with yet another attack, this time targeting a blindspot which he could not focus on defending in his blood-spattered haze: his abdomen. Kuouo's knee collided with the ironlike fortification of the miner's abdominal muscles, impacting as though it had hit struck pure Stone.* Though, with what all reaction the miner had — staggering back a step and faintly coughing —, he could rightly assume it to have worked its purpose, allowing him to retreat in the moment of opportunity.\n\nThe pickaxe-wielding assailant was visibly taken aback, his eyes of light-blue wide open as he beheld with furor his adversary ahead of and some distance beyond him. Releasing his right arm's grip on the pickaxe, he let the tool hang loosely at his side, pressing with his now freed hand the bloody and open wound that marked his face. His brow furrowed, and he clenched his teeth, but he would not let himself frown — rather, he most shockingly Smiled. Fire again burned in his eyes, and he would finally make his voice known.\n\n*\"That's right!\"—he uproariously declared. \"I fought dishonorably by striking you in the back!\"\n\"But what's honor to a Man like me?!* I've no training like knights, and no piety like you miracle users!\"\n\nHis voice rang with a deep clarity, boisterous to the very core of its essence, and yet not at all reflective of either his spite or his hatred. It almost rather seemed that he was speaking in triumph — a peculiar sense of amusement resonated in his tone, and he only grinned further as his voice announced, echoing throughout the quarry.\n\n\"What I do have, is *Something to fight for!* So I won't hold anything back against your kind!\"\n_ _\n\nThe boastful man softly slid his red-stained right hand across the length of his face, wiping some of the blood from his visage and smearing some of it across his chest. Then, in one, swift, single change of a beat, his hand tightly grasped the shaft of his pick, as he slung it over his right shoulder whilst wielding it firmly with both hands. He glared a powerful glare toward Kuouo, opposite himself, still grinning triumphantly as he spoke:\n\n\"Give me everything you've got! I'll kick your ass, invader!\"\n\nFinishing with a yell, the miner challenged, as he took a lunging stride forward. One, then two, then *Swing!* A rhythmic pace which he had built up over the years! Zeal and ferocity that could not be dulled by endless days in the mines! *The pickaxe sails from up-to-down, diagonally from right-to-left, caring not for what stood between itself and the ground!* He would make the bandit the rock that stood between himself and the path ahead, striking only to make him Crumble." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuo's emotions churned with a myriad of anger and curiosity, the miner's smile further adding on confusion to the thief before making his boastful declaration. At first he appeared dumbfounded, his accusatory words branding Kuouo as someone deeply devout to the power that grants these miracles their arcane energy. Though one might attempt to quickly clear up a dangerous misconception, the miner's initial declaration instigated the sly bandit and his own nasty techniques. The truth behind Kuo's natural arcane biology and intentions would have to wait as the fire in the assailant's eyes rekindled itself with proud assertation: He too had something to fight for!*\n\n```fix\n\"Daheh.. Dahehehehah! Ya call that dirty fightin'? Ya couldn't even get the cheap shot ya wanted asshat! Shoulda saved another rock, but even then yer aim sucks shit! If ya wanna come at me, then do it! Jus' don't be surprised when ya get the rug pulled out from right under ya.\"```\n\nKuouo pridefully foreshadowed, already beginning to formulate a plan utilizing the environment and circumstances around them. They were on a dangerous and narrow path, the cavern was shrouded in an advanced darkness without the bandit's guiding light, and most importantly, The miner was already accustomed to years upon years within the quarry.* For Kuo's plan to work, he had to ensure to malleate the environment to his advantage. Despite the quarry-worker's experience in their battleground, That was all he had going for him. Kuouo, fighting battle after battle throughout his lifetime, was seasoned enough to know his assailant's skill with their strange weapon of choice hardly matched his own. Even if slightly down an arm for the time being, Kuouo's smirk grew into a likewise smile matching the same fiery ire as the miner beckoned the bandit to bring everything he's got followed by a powerful warcry.\n\n```fix\n\"Fuckin' BRING IT!\"```\n\nUnfortunately for the miner, rocks aren't very good at moving.\n\nKuouo brandished his blade at first... But oddly sheathed it afterwards, quickly backstepping once and dousing the icy stone under them in embers with his right paw as the pickaxe brought forth a powerful arc downwards by it wielder. To be hit with such raw power across the skull would surely mean certain death as well as a slip off the path from such a height. He knew every aggressive step on this path led him closer to such a demise and as such, would exercise utmost caution when opting to evade the miner's attacks. In the next quarter-second, the miner followed up with a diagonal swing from right-to-left, putting next to no mind of how to counter-act the bandit's mobility in the moment as he took another backstep.\n\nSloppy.\n\nAfter ensuring an evasion of the miner's latter attack, midway through its arc, the orange light once illuminating the cave extinguishes, leaving it to fall back into its standard darkness as the bandit pivoted 180°. By the time the pickaxe's momentum reached the end of its arc, Kuo's knees were already slightly bent, mana gathering under his footpaws before releasing the tension and arching his spine backwards. The bandit had launched a fiery backflip, the embers that once scattered across the ice-encased stone instantly growing into miniscule plumes of flames and slightly melting the frosted stone the miner stood on, seperating solid from liquid and causing an immense loss of friction. Using the light from his elemental magic to guide his right paw, the bandit firmly wrapped a tuft of the miner's hair around his hand. \n\nInfernium.\n\nWith intent to break the miner's root with the stone's now-slippery surface, Kuouo landed in a squatted position, bringing his assailant downwards with his momentum and slamming the back of his head into the stone. The bandit gnashed his teeth down, feeling the reverberation of such force vibrate the wound of his right arm, but nevertheless, he had to ensure his safety. Instantly, Infernium was called to his left palm with fire-power jetting the bottom of the hilt, allowing Kuo enough power to jab it through the rock and keep their balance on the cliffside-like path. If everything went according to plan, leaving Kuo victorious In this one interaction so far, he'd look down at the miner and talk to him with a suspicious eye on the pickaxe he wielded.\n\n```fix\n\"If yer fuckin' done, I'd be glad t' tell ya I'm no deeply religious kinda guy. If ya got somethin' against outsider's t' the Vektet that happen t' use magic, then yer shit outta luck thinkin' ya can beat this one. An' considerin' yer demeanor towards me, I 'spose I'm the only one that's come through here... Makes this a waste of fuckin' time...\"```\n\nKuouo slightly cringed, the smell of blood and slightly burnt hair offending his snout. If given the chance, he'd unwrap his right hand and stand up, reeling back from the miner with Infernium held tightly in his left paw. Still though, even if he was the only outsider to grace this mine so far, there was still a question unanswered to the bandit.\n\n```fix\n\"Before ya get yer panties in a twist, y'could tell me what yer tryna fight against so hard. I've got a mission of my own, and considerin' ya work in this hellhole of a mine, we could have somethin' similar in mind — or y'could at least understand where I'm comin' from.\"```" }, { "author": "...", "message": "The outsider's verbal retaliation only stoked the flames of the miner's ardor. The passion he displayed was reflected in the eyes of the one who opposed him! His combat-cry of valorous nature was countered in reciprocation of equally proud nature. The obstacle before him refused to budge, yet so would he! This tide he sent forth, this determination he solidified, this tempo he had set — it was Matched,* All of it! Though the average man may find faltering, foreboding, or, forbid, even fear, in the face of such foreign fierceness, Standard Was not this mere menial laborer. Nay; he was much more! Valorous, demanding, headstrong, and hopeful for the future—unyielding, untiring, unweakening, unfading, and eternally energetic, ever pushing forward with a weightless heart. Such rebuttal, such challenge, he could only perceive with the proud flicker of flame and gaiety in his focused eyes of light-blue, grinning bravely from ear-to-ear with teeth bared wide and open.\n\n*\"Haa!\"\n\nA laugh, and a grunt—joviality and fearsomeness in a single guttural roar! The pickaxe swung with immense centrifugal force behind it, swiping toward its target with bone-crushing intensity. Yet its tip was met only with air!* The pickaxe swung beyond the bandit as he adeptly dodged the stone-shattering attack, whose momentum would collide with naught but the stone of the ground in its unbreakable inertia. \n_ _\n\nFragments of shattered rocks erupted upward from the ruptured ground at the point of the pickaxe's impact, dust scattering in such a manner to only further haze the miner's gaze as the Light spontaneously vanished. His light-blue irises flickered as he stared toward the empty space ahead himself, darkness now obfuscating his surroundings. A confused stare was shot through the darkness as his pupils slowly dilated, the sudden appearance and even more sudden disappearance of light leaving him unable to register his surroundings — Even those surroundings which were incredibly familiar to him.\n\n\"Ah, you think the darkness is your ally... But I was born in it, molde-\"\n\nHm?\n\nLight flickers in the distance ahead of himself. Again, That Miracle... Though he had never met one of its users in the past, it was unmistakable what he was witnessing. Flames that burn with no source of fuel, scorching all life around them in `Disparity.` Yes. The flames of the Prayers of Sol! They burned at the feet of the attacker in strange and cunning, their purpose still unknown to the miner who hadn't seen such magic used in his entire life. \n\nNo matter what intent was behind such witchcraft, it certainly wouldn't be for good, that was for sure! Gnashing his teeth, the miner began to shift his weight as he ripped up the pickaxe from the stony prison which he had inadvertently buried it into, attempting to hoist the instrument back into an advantageous position rested atop his shoulder. \n_ _\n\nBut...\nHis footing was unsure. A devilish manner of fight! Perhaps he had earned this act trickery for employing such trickery of ambush himself, but he could not conceal either his shock or his displeasure as he found his feet slipping against a precarious combination of melt and frost—water and ice. There was nothing quite as slippery as melted snow atop a layer of ice, especially on such uneven ground as the stony path they were standing atop. And so, when he tried to wrest his pickaxe from the ground in an attempt to swiftly counterattack, his feet would only slip, his balance would only falter, and he found himself in a stumble at the most inopportune of moments.\n\nNow the bandit approached swift, airborne entirely, his acrobatic display unseen by a frustrated-but-still-adamantly-smiling miner whose focus was driven toward the pickaxe buried in slippery ground, his eyes carelessly averted in the moment that Kuouo grappled him, By his hair. No doubt he had been grappled before — his experience with Eiei Had already made him very experienced with being Hurled toward the ground. But noone had ever grabbed him by the hair before! How awful! And exciting, perhaps!? \n\nHis former experience, still, cried out to him. This off-balanced feeling was all too familiar, his instincts immediately kicking in as his head rapidly hurtled toward the stony floor. \n_ _\n\n*`PROTECT YOUR NOGGIN!!!`\n\nRelease the pickaxe!\nBoth hands on the back of the head, post-haste!\nAnd brace for impact!!\n\nTHUD\n\n—He weightily collided with the ground, but the point of impact was not his head... But his Hands,* That guarded its rear. The shock was not all absorbed, and he was indeed forced into a haze of pain and shock from the trauma to his head, yet the impact was absorbed leagues better than if he had struck the ground bare, head-against-stone. The miner grinned in even such a precarious situation as he was, instantly proud with the results of his quick thinking, as he stared gratified into the darkness above.\n\n\"Ha!\"\n\nThe miner, though he had little right to do so, boasted in a laugh. Yes, he had been thrown, but he negated a majority of its damage! He would not be defeated so swiftly.\n\n...\n\nAnd then, Kuouo began to speak...\n\n\n*\"Nonsense!\"\n\n\nHe retorted in an instant, replying to the outsider — that he was, quote, \"No deeply religious kinda guy.\"* Absolute falsitude! He employed the Prayers of Sol, flames of disparity, and he was like No person he had ever seen before! Those two facts alone ensured that he was none other than a Knight of Sol, or, at the very least, a descendant of their technique — and one who came from Beyond the Second Floor.\n\n`Remember, there are two enemies we commoners have...`\n`The nobility which holds us down...`\n`And all outsiders, who seek to take the floor out from under us.`\n\n\"Never! I would have nothing in common with your kind, outsider! We all know of the stories of your Order of Sol—I will not be deceived!\"\n_ _\n\nPerhaps it was his refusal to even process such words, perhaps it was the adrenaline blinding his logic, or perhaps it was the impact to his head, but the miner... He didn't seem, at all, to take note of what was implied between the lines in Kuouo's statement: that he was an Outsider to the Ark.\n\nAll his mind could tell him to do now, was to stand and fight. And stand and fight he would. Quickly — yet not exceptionally quickly, at such a pace that was comfortably reactable to Kuouo, a trained combatant — the miner rose to his feet, his left hand raveling once more about the handle of his pickaxe as he, now regulating his balance in accordance to the slipperiness of the ground below, tore it effortlessly from the ground. Still half-crouched in his posture, the miner set his sights on Kuouo, and if successful in his attempt to rise, would brandish the pickaxe in open display of his continued readiness for combat." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "``'Whazzat...?'``\n\nSurely, the miner couldn't have hit his head that hard — After all, he softened the blow to an already resilient body. Being taken as a resident to the ark — one with a deep connection to it religion at that — despite blatantly denying it so left Kuouo slightly bewildered. As the quarry-worker continued to accost the bandit, that determination still brimmed from deeply within, showing no signs of being easily snuffed out. With a clobbered and sliced face, slightly burnt feet, and a possible blunt-force induced haze, the bandit had not only fulfilled his egotistical counter-strike but realized the full scope of disparity between their experience in fighting. Furthermore, considering the true reasoning of the miner's attack, the bandit had no reason to strike him down except in self-defense. The monster waited, allowing the misconstrued assailant to re-gain his footing before attempting to clean the slate, Infernium Still drawn in a less-threatening manner but still offensively so nonetheless.\n\n```fix\n\"Hey pal, I think ya got me all wrong! I hardly know anythin' about this Lord Taae Chit Ezer, Left Hand, Arue, Eikokue, Lunar Blessin', Order of Sol kinda stuff. Hell, I jus' came back from dealin' with Aazkue on the First Floor last week! I'm only 'ere t' look for the other outsiders just as myself before they fuck up our plan t'...\"```\n\nKuouo's eyes shifted onto the ground from left-to-right, stilling his tongue from revealing anything further. Sure, this guy is probably one of many suffering from the Sovereign's rule over the Second Floor... But what with the current circumstances — A barrier raised in response to their presense, some 'witness' on the loose looking for them, and the possibility of their ongoing battle drawing attention to themselves — he had to keep his plans vague at best. If that wouldn't satisfy him, the bandit would have no other choice than to either knock him out or withdraw from the quarry completely.\n\n```fix\n\"Our plan to get to the Third Floor...\"```\n\nKuouo shifted his gaze deeply back into the miner's eyes, the fire within his own cooled without provokation to stoke them once more but still stern and determined, ready to act at a moment's notice. \n\n```fix\n\"Look, unless ya understand I'm not here t' take away whatever yer holdin' away so dearly, I know ya don't plan t' put the pickaxe down 'til one of us dies or whatever. If ya wanna fight, then so be it! I'll knock ya down however many more times I have to until ya get tired or I knock you out!... But the least y'could do is gimme yer name and in exchange I'll give ya mine. Kuouo Aiche Dee — Quite the infamous bandit where I'm from, daheh! And you are. . .?\"```\n\nThe bandit re-inforced his fighting demeanor with stubborness and a strong will... But with a simple introductory phrase, Kuouo Aiche Dee extended the first leaflings of what vaguely resembled an olive branch. He finally revealed his true branding — a name, one that hardly fit into the naming conventions of anyone who resided within the vektet, and a title, something that implied that he too came from struggling roots." }, { "author": "...", "message": "His teeth still clenched from the sheer force of the impact, him having delayed his reaction only momentarily to speak, the miner released a sharp breath out as he finally opened his mouth, his hands locked stiff around the handle of the pickaxe where they had lain since he could balance himself on his own two feet. In the wake of the frigid air, his breath, turned hot by the flame of battle, rose as a dense puff of condensation up and up, toward the top of the quarry, up and up, to where his eyes stared to the sky dulled by darkness, up and up, to where the moon should rest.\n\n\"All impossible,\" He said in a quiet tone. \"All you speak is nonsense.\"\n\nNow the miner was broken from his haze, and was grinning, slightly, in that same, persisting, inexplicable, determined look of triumph. Yet his ardor had calmed, and his grin was smaller, his tone quieter, and his stance loosened — no doubt in part due to the injuries even his steadfast body had begun to accumulate. Wiping the cold sweat that trickled down his brow and rested on his cheek, the miner's pale blue eyes stared forward, his gaze locked with the bandit ahead of him. Even if quieted by the weight of his wounds, the man retained that ever-burning, all-igniting flame of passion that could not be dulled by the dullest work in all eternity.\n\nHis soul still burned hot for vengeance, after all. \n\n`...Tear the sky asunder...`\n\nAllowing himself to raise again into that elevated state-of-mind — no, it was really more like being swallowed by a trance — the miner's grin turned to a smile, and he bore his teeth, swinging the pickaxe back over his shoulder. His muscles swelled, and his throat burned, and excitement consumed him, and thus he roared:\n\n\"Anyone who speaks the name of the Solar Guardian Is an enemy of mine, bandit!\"\n\"Kuouo, is it? I'll chisel it well on your gravestone,\" He said while brandishing his pickaxe. Stubbornly glaring forward, he seemed to prepare again for battle.\n\n_ _\n\n\"You want to know my name, well,\" He took a step forward,\n\"On that gravestone, there I'll mark it down—\"\n\"'Slain by Er—\"`" }, { "author": "....", "message": "```\n\"Taaal-hooooo!\"```\n\nAs sudden and as startling as could be, the sound of a higher, masculine voice came roaring from a higher place in the quarry — likely originating in one of the cubbyholes that Kuouo had seen some time prior. That voice bellowed, reverberating all throughout the cavernous walls of the quarry, as though it were coming closer and clos—\n\n```\n\"—oooOOO𝑶𝑶𝑶!!\"```\n\n*THU-Clink!\n\nAs precise or as coincidental as could be, there landed the figure of a long, white-haired man, landing perfectly upon the extended shaft of the handle within the assailing miner's hand, disarming him in an instant as he forced the instrument from his grip and into the ground. Landing from the impossible height with only a brief moment of pause, crouched, there at the site of his impact, the ever-strange stranger swung his head up, flipping his hair, and then stood upright, as though his unbelievable entry were no strange thing.\n\n```\n\"Picking fights again, eh, Errek?\"```\n\nHe gave a wide grin, staring back at the miner, before glancing back toward the bandit." }, { "author": "...", "message": "\"Eiei?! What fares with you?!\"\n\nHe, looking at the stranger — also as though his unbelievable entry were no strange thing — gave a frustrated, grimacing look, before staring at his hand to only now note he was no longer holding his pickaxe." }, { "author": "....", "message": "```\n\"Ya dumb brute. I heard more than you did, and I was aaalll t' way up there.\"\n```\n\nA carefree, lackadaisical, and yet strangely imposing atmosphere loaned itself to the long-haired stranger. His gaze lacked any sort of aggression, yet it strangely possessed a strong air that gave it a considerable sense of weight as it rested upon one's figure. His long, messy, white locks extended beyond his shoulders, separated into three bunches that were bound by thin, dull-colored rings, two at either side of his face, and a the last in one, large bunch behind his back. His frame was thinner compared to the bare-chested miner's — but clearly possessed enough brawn to be apt for much menial labor — and he stood about three centimeters shorter, as well. \n\nFlipping his hair, he stretched, and turned round to the bandit, gazing with intent as his dagger, squinting harshly at the bandit's dagger for a moment, before continuing on about his carefree manner. \n_ _" }, { "author": "...", "message": "\"Then you heard the contradiction, too!* And—Witnessed the flame! He is a knigh—\"" }, { "author": "....", "message": "From over his shoulder, the stranger knocked a thumping blow with his knuckles against the miner's forehead.\n\n```\n\"A bandit, idiot. Knights wear armor, remember? They also don't got any fur, stupit.\" \n```\n\nWith his arms now folded, he stared at Kuouo, looking him up, then down, then up, then down again. Placing his hand to his chin, he stroked it as though he had a long, eloquent beard, and nodded.\n\n```\n\"You look reasonable. Well, heh, more reasonable then him, ey?\"\n\"I'll hear you out,\" He announced confidently, taking a step forward. \"But no funny business — that blade goes away.\"\n\n\"But! Twoooo~ questions, first!\"\n\"One! Who in blazes are you? I'm not askin' for your name; I'm askin' for your identity. Exile? Archo? Voyager? Or you from beyond?\"\n\"Two! Where did you get that flame, bandit? Did you steal it? Or is it your own?\"\n```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "ʰᵒʷˡ. . .\n\nThe frosty wind whistled past the quarry, standing in for the moment of silence as the dazed miner quietly re-established his center of gravity. The pickaxe, for now, quickly acted as a cane, still fixed in-between both of the miner's hands. And although Kuouo could see the haze of battle stacking against his opponent's body, the bandit instinctively wrapped his left paw around the hilt of Infernium Even tighter. The temporary curtain of frosted breaths had risen, a hint of moonlight revealing the same ferocious determination roaring behind those azure eyes.\n\n\"All impossible,\" He said in a quiet tone. \"All you speak is nonsense.\"\n\nKuouo internally groaned; His jaw lightly ground against his teeth, both annoyed and reeling from the pulsing sensation beating within his pierced right arm. It seemed that the miner's body had finally recollected itself, albeit in a weaker manner than it was before. Kuouo wasn't to be fooled, however, for he knew...\n\n```\n\"Daheheheh.. Ya gotta take off the rose-tinted glasses and figure out I ain't here to work against ya dumbass!\"\n\n```\nPerhaps more than anyone else on their expedition...\n\n\n\n\"Anyone who speaks the name of the Solar Guardian Is an enemy of mine, bandit!\"\n\n\n\nThose with an indomitable spirit,\n\n\n\n\"Kuouo, is it? I'll chisel it well on your gravestone,\" He said while brandishing his pickaxe. Stubbornly glaring forward, he seemed to prepare again for battle.\n\n\n\nAlways stood back up; their determination making up in the fallacies of their body until their body is no more.\n\n\n\nKuouo smirked, pridefully pointing the tip of Infernium At his opponent once more. Despite the bandit's right arm lying limp along his waist, his eyes were now too locked onto the miner's own, committed to make his previous declaration of battle stay true.\n\n\n```\n\"The only thing that'll be chiseled is yer front teeth against the ground, bitch!\"\n```\n\n\n\"You want to know my name, well,\" He took a step forward,\n\"On that gravestone, there I'll mark it down—\"\n\n\nKuouo flipped his dagger inward, dragging his right leg back and leaning forwards. The leaflets of the olive branch now flurried forward as embers that lit the stone arena once more.\n\n\n\"Slain by Er—\"\n\n\n\n—\n\n\n\n```\n\"Taaal-hooooooooOOO𝑶𝑶𝑶!!\"\n```\n\n* \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n```\n\" E h ? \"\n\n```\n\n *\nKuouo's eyes scrambled above, his eyes locking onto an Adam Smasher-like projectile barreling through the sky. The mysterious white-haired stranger had loudly announced their arrival seemingly out of nowhere before sticking a landing that'd even give Olympians a run for their money right onto the miner's pickaxe. Now Kuouo, he wasn't impressed by the height at which he fell from — Hell, he could do that on a good Tuesday morning. Instead, he stayed silently bewildered, wondering: \n\n```\n'Was he really that confident not t' have either of them fall off this narrow-ass path!!?'\n\n```\n\nThe thinner man's soft, blanc, locks softly dragged themselves across the broad of his shoulders as he turned his gaze to register and acknowledge the bandit, revealing his wind-like, free, aura; yet still, as he went on, the cut of his jib suggested he was like a big brother that held the power to scold his two fighting siblings.\n\nAll sense of danger — immediate danger anyways — slowly vanished as he reasoned with the hard-headed miner — Errek,* Wasn't it? The bandit kept his blade in hand, but dropped his stance as the white-haired stranger scanned him up and down, the ashen olive branch restructuring itself to now extend outwards towards Kuouo Aiche Dee at the expense of Two Questions.\n\n```\n\"I can be reasonable, sure.\" Kuouo nodded, hesitantly putting Infernium away in it's sheathe and crossing his arms — only doing so because he knew that the very flame they inquired about could get him out of a sticky situation. \"But if yer puttin' my dagger away, the least y'could do is answer a couple of my own questions when yer hearin' me out.\"\n```\n\nWith his arms still crossed, the bandit raised his index digit, \n\n```\n\"One! I'm an outsider from the Vektet. My group and I came here about a week ago on the first floor. After recollectin' ourselves for seven days, I came back t' continue our expedition, ya know? 'specially after everythin' that happened on the floor below.\" \n\n```\n\nKuouo extended his left paw out, now raising two digits,\n\n```\n\"Two! As an outsider, I come from a different place where I'm known as a 'monster.' Us monsters are born with magic and I jus' happened to be born with fire magic. Other monsters have stuff like elemental magic, conjuration magic, and all that other kinda shit, ya know? So yeah, the fire is made from my body and my body is made outta magic! Don't ask me how the physicality and all that shit works, I'm a damn thief, not some kinda biologist. Jus' know there are straight up other monsters made outta fire too. No religion 'r faith 'r knighthood required! That's a fuckin' promise right there!\" \n\n```\n\nKuouo raised an eyebrow, tapping his left foot on the cold stone.\n\n```\n\"Doezzat suffice or wha?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "....", "message": "Swiveling on his hips, the long-haired man with unnaturally-ashen skin rested his right hand atop his thigh, his gaze still locked on the bandit. Despite what lackadaisical mannerisms he displayed, and what casual air was about him, his watchful silver eyes stared with careful intent behind that carefree visage. With his mouth covered by his fingers, which were now loosely rested above his chin, his lower face — and the expression held in it — laid hidden behind the veneer of his left palm. His brow was all that remained to gauge his reactions and his intents, and to say he concealed them carefully would be an understatement. Yet in all that, he remained unusually natural: carefree, lackadaisical. As he always was. As he was characterized by. As he seemed to be.\n\nHe did not show it, but to say he listened to the bandit carefully was an understatement. The flow of information was just as important as the flow of blood and silver. What was the one thing commoners held over nobles? The buzz of the streets; the gossip nestled within the humdrum and the mediocrity.\n\nBut this... Far exceeded mediocrity. In fact, this far exceeded Gossip. An outsider—that was a surprise, sure, but his countenance did not change. His interest grew further with the mention of the state of the First Floor, sure, but his countenance did not change. And his interest reached what he thought would be its summit when he uttered the word 'monster', but his countenance did not change. But this—This, Particularly, struck him, when he mentioned this of magic. Of a thought of such blasphemy that it would make a few choice individuals he met long ago retch. An idea so outlandish that those of the—\n_ _\n\n—well, it was not his to go there. It was a thought so simultaneously intriguing and unthinkable that he had let his mind wander much too far from the subject at hand. Far enough that he let his expression slip, if only for a moment, if only just a movement of his brow. It was raised far enough now that he could no longer conceal the surprise provoked from what he just heard, and thus making no further effort to hide it, he took two steps back, smoothly leaned backward in the same motion, and audibly enough for Kuouo to hear (no doubt that being the intention):\n\n```\n\"'All nonsense' ain't the whole of it, Errek,\" he said, a sense of humor in his breath. \"I think he might've gone mad, actually,\" now he said with an unconcealed grin.```\n\nAllowing his smile to grow, the lackadaisical man took a loose step forward, chuckling slightly. Then his chuckle, too, grew, and he found himself fully laughing now, leaning forward, with his hand atop his stomach, only stopping to stare at the bandit through his slightly-opened right eye. Letting it open fully, it almost looked as though he winked, and he took another step forward, exactly where he started once more.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"I'm foolin'. Nah, nah, that suffices, all right.\"\n\"I can tell by the swing of your words that you for sure are an outsider. Means you're not a noble, so that's only a good thing, hey?\"\n```\n\nHe chuckled, again, but let it drop quickly, and took one more step closer. It was all too soon to say that whatever suspicions the man hid had all just up and vanished, but it seemed as though Kuouo had cut through a significant portion of the unseen disbelief that subtly permeated the stranger's disposition toward him.\n\n```\n\"You say some strange things, all right, man. I've talked to outsiders, and they've all had their sort'f funk. Odd contraptions and whatnot, ya know. But magic—flame, no miracle? Haw.\"\n\"Well, you've answered my questions, so 's only fair I answer you some,\" he spoke, though clearly there was much desire beneath that statement to question Kuouo further. \"Or well. Answer some stuff, that is. Mmm-aaactually, I'm going to get comfortable first. We walk?\"\n```\n_ _\n\nHis words were smoothly-flowing, one-after-another, and while he questioned with such intonation that it seemed he was asking a request of Kuouo... He just started walking anyway, pacing toward and past the bandit, and unto the darkness beyond him. Errek — Kuouo's assailant — with some hesitation, followed after the long-haired man, though not before clutching back up his pickaxe and slinging it over his shoulder, giving a suspicious glare to Kuouo as he passed.\n\nWere Kuouo to follow, they all three would ascend the quarry some, before happening upon a small and subtle cleft in the rocks, covered over by a white tapestry, which the ashen-skinned man would push aside to reveal a rather well-concealed hollow within the quarry. As the tapestry was pushed aside, a vestige of heat escaped from the room which it hid, the subtle and enticing scent of cooked meat held within the warm air that blew past the three.\n\nNow revealed beyond the tapestry was a small, but cozy room — almost identical to a living-room plucked straight from a poor rustic household, excepting for the familiar dark-browns of a pleasant wood floor being replaced with the cold silver of hard rock — fitted with a sofa, built from fine, pale wooden planks and topped by somewhat stiff cushions of an amateurly-bound textile, some chairs made of slightly lesser, darker woods, a small central table, no larger a coffee-table and overlain with a clean white cloth, and a firepit with a cauldron, seasoned by numerous burnt spices and still warm with the traces of a recently-boiled stew.\n\nThe long-haired stranger quickly made himself comfortable atop the sofa, claiming the best seat for himself — too slow, loser — throwing his arms behind his head.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Like I said, comfortable,\" he grinned. \"And 'cause I know you're gonna ask it, you can call me... Eiei.\"\n\n\"Now, man, let's make ourselves familiar with eachother. What do you wanna know?\"\n```" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Nothing happened here\n\nThere were no mistakes" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "In that moment, there certainly was a disparity between the two; Kuouo, as he entertained the long-haired stranger's inquiries, was stiffened, raised breaths quickly exchanging within his chest as he slowly came down from the heat of battle. Yet, staring directly at the caprine, the man's demeanor was free from anything holding him down — carefree, lackadaisacal, yet certainly not aloof. Though he had built a well-founded facade, and though the bandit could not completely see past it, there was a Hint He was intently analyzing the bandit's words. Not through body language — no. Rather, it was garnered from the very start of their conversation through those two questions. Though it was difficult for Kuouo to get a read on the man, one thing was certain:\n\nThe course of this interaction would decide whether Kuouo's existence as an outsider was a curse or a blessing to the second floor.\n\n...\n\nBut perhaps, it wasn't that serious. \n\nPerhaps it was just a man curious about the outsider suddenly fighting their companion in some dead mines.\n\nPerhaps it was just a man wanting to ensure their own safety from someone who supposedly held similarities to the inflaming 'miracles' within the Vektet.\n\nAnd perhaps, the latter was at least somewhat correct...? Upon Kuouo's first mention of magic, the stranger's veil faultered, rays of intrigue and awe peering through the cracks from just a raised brow. At that point, there was no going back either, the man reeling two steps back with a grin widening on his face as he humerously poked at the bandit's candid explanation.\n\n \n```\n\"Oi, lookie-'ere, I ain't got any reason t' lie to ya 'bout my biology. Hell, if it'd help my case a little, y'can see the pickaxe wound yer friend gave me 'ere ain't even bleedin.\"\n```\n\nDespite Kuo's left eye twitching from the slight annoyance at the man jerkin' his chains, he couldn't help but feel a bit more at ease. Whether it be from his turn during their information exchange ending or the man's aura lending itself to the atmosphere after the fact was unclear. However, in the end, it allowed him to finally calm himself and get his own questions in order. Even more so after confirming that he was no bootlicker for the nobles.\n\n```\n\"... Yeah I 'spose we can get a little comfortable. We can have us a proper conversation, but after that I gotta go. Got places t' be, y'know? Didn't expect t' be ambushed down 'ere,\" Kuouo let Errek pass, winking at his assailant after the miner shot a weary stare in his direction. \"But who knows? Maybe in the end, this'll be beneficial for the three of us, ya feel me?\" \n```\n\nAnd so the bandit would follow the two up the quarry, quietly wrapping the bandages sourced from his inventory around his right paw and arm, simultaneously watching his step as they walked along the icy path. It wouldn't take long for them to reach their destination, the bandit singeing the end of the bandage with the tap of a heated claw. In front of him, a white linen is pushed aside, revealing a surprisingly familiar sight to the bandit! A warm, cozy dwelling within the cave that shielded them from the harsh elements — Albeit, this seemed a bit more permanent and a lot more furnished than his own 'Bandit's Den' he resided in on nights he couldn't afford a room at the inn in the same town. However, what really caught his eye, or rather, his primative-like snout, was the smell of meat. Seasoned meat! \n\nKuouo took a full step inside, letting the hood on his cloak fall to the back of his neck as he enthusiastically took another whiff of the cozy air. He stared upwards, attempting to fix his blonde, disheveled fur-cowls to a lesser, more practical level of disheveledness, watching the man quickly hop onto the sofa and get into the optimal position for comfort as he formally — well, as formally as this could get — introduced himself.\n\n```\n\"Eiei izzit? Nice t' meet ya. I'm sure ya heard my name earlier when ye happened to be eavesdroppin' on me an' Errek, but y'can call me Kuouo.\" He pointed his left thumb at himself before taking a semi-seat on the arm-rest of the sofa, positioning his right leg on the ledge below the cushions and leaning forward. \"So Eiei, I've got three questions, one reeaaal easy like, and the other two might vary on the harder side of things.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"'Mutually beneficial,' hey? I've heard that phrase a few-many-times, and often wonder when'll be the time it'll turn to be true. Maybe, man. We'll see soon.\"```\n\nA look filled with all preparation and cool-headedness showed itself on the man's ashen face, his arms stretched wide and rested against the top of the rustic sofa, right leg folded atop his left, and silver eyes set confidently upon the guest within his little abode. From expertly-hidden apprehension to bold and open certainty — as though he were fully in control from the moment they stepped into the room — the subtleties of his composure pivoted as drastically as such minutia could with a simple change of surroundings. Perhaps this was the 'advantage of home' that was so acclaimed in both combat and in diplomacy; even the unconscious and undetectable aspects of his countenance now fully agreed with the carefree and lackadaisical nature that patterned him so much. Whatever questions the outsider had in store for him, he was certain he would be able to take in-stride without missing a single tempo.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Leftovers? Naw, naw — now you remind me, you bumpty... I was going to well enjoy that stew, hear me? All of it, nice and smooth and tender and warm, with the finest seasons, and with the rare hint of meat — oh, to savor it — but...\"\n\"Then came the sound of the Emissary's arrows, echoing, booming, like thunder in the ears. Naturally, as two men do when they are to believe their homes are aboutta be burned down, we drank down the rest of that pot in fear for it being our last meal!\"\n\"Oh, misery!—and, no doubtin', all 'cause of an intruder! Like you, mm?! Evil, evil, muck-daubed bandit, no-good, with ill intents to waste my stew, huh?!\"\n```\n_ _\n\nHis tone was humorously exasperated, his face contorted with a frustration that was clearly put on for dramatics, his mouth subtly pulled on by a little smile that defied the possibility of any actual intention to accuse the bandit. Still being the first time he actually made a show of passion, his shift in tone would certainly come with much suddenness that was to be quickly cleared away by the relief that was his jesting grin. This would be the second mark of the man jerking on Kuouo's chains, and certainly would not be the last.\n\n```\n\"Haw, haw,\" he interjected while motioning his right hand round and round, as though to clear away the commotion he had just made, \"I'm foolin'. But only a little bit! You're still a trouble of an outsider for stealing away my savory stew, man. My stew, man! It took me three days to make that stew. Three days!\"\n\n```\n_ _" }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"Haah.\"\n\nErrek interjected, speaking up for the first time since Eiei arrived. \n\n\"Don't forget,\" He said, leaning forward from his rested position against the wall, \"'twas My Stew, Eiei.\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"Yours?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"Remember — I Caught the two fat rabbits. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, if I do say so myself! It's a wonder, Eiei, and just think: who else could have snagged up two, plump—\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"—And I caught up the firewood, and the cauldron, and the seasonings — of that mighty-rare type you've never smelled in your whole life — and dug up the shelter to cook it in, an' the millet flour for thickening,\" He took a breath, \"—and butchered the little creatures, and simmered down the bones for stock, mixed the whole thing together—\"\n```" }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"—Oh, but there would be no stew without rabbits, would there? That's my point, brother. No rabbit, no stew, no deliciousness to savor. What, would you have a millet-flour stew, huh?—\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"There'd be no damned rabbits caught without the snares I taught you.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"And no snares were used! With my hand, I said — I snagged them both up with my hand, the both of them, while they were keeping warm together in the snow, one atop the other—\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"—So you did, man. The stew would be less than a meal of wet meat in stagnant water if you cooked it.\"\n\"What-ever, then,\" Eiei announced, breaking the chain of retorts with a swing of his hand over his shoulder. \"What-ever is said is said to say that there's no stew left for you to eat, man.\"\n```\n\n_ _\nStill with his aspect of casualness, he shifted from the digression back to the central subject, Errek leaning back against the wall and tilting his head back to stare toward the ceiling. Oppositely, Eiei leaned in, toward the central table, now hunched forward and staring at an angle toward Kuouo.\n\n```\n\"You speak of some interesting fineries, outlande— ah, bandit. Outlander is a good word to describe fellas like you. But I don't wanna use it. Out of principle, see. Bandit works better, then.\"\n```\n\n`You don't hear much of bandits,` He thought. `Mostly because they are dead quickly at the hands of the guard, but also because none care to announce themselves to be in such a profession,` He placed a hand to his chin. Nevertheless, it wasn't the time to go there, nor was it appropriate to digress even further with questions still waiting for answers.\n\n```\n\"For any strangeness in the quarry, well,\" He glared toward Errek, \"Besides yours and his spectacle of a quarterless brawl, yeah? Other than that, there wasn't much.\"\n\"So the skies turned black an' the world goes numb in silence, and so these are the signs of intruders beyond the wall, and so we stay quiet and still in our pit in the snow.\"\n\"So there is 'a witness that prowls in the umbral night', and so there is not much for us to do. It would interfere more with the princess's defense for us to rise than it would for us to stay down,\" He shrugged. \"We've seen no other outsiders since.\"\n```\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Simple reasoning why my good man Errek would look to smite on sight, then. Even if it was a little hare-brained, eh?\" He knocked his knuckles against his own forehead, grinning. \"The great-and-righteous-princess only takes her mighty inconvenient measures to conceal when there is a threat about. Not just some lone bandit like yourself.\"\n```\n\nNow Eiei folded his arms, leaning back and closing his eyes, visibly preparing to answer the last of Kuouo's questions. The matter of miracles, eh? It was something that couldn't be skirted around in an indirect way, nor could be suavely maneuvered about with that nonchalant aura that the ashen-skinned man ever radiated. There was quite a moment of hesitation, him taking several seconds for thought, yet his answer would be made with relative quickness and a surprising bluntness to it.\n\n```\n\"Well, cause it's damned heresy, I suppose?\"\n```\n\nHe chuckled, himself, at how abrupt the statement was, though sobered himself and again stared directly toward Kuouo.\n\n```\n\"Don't get me wrong — you'd be ripped up all the same by Tvoktei's knights if you were said to be seen using a proper miracle if it so much as created a smidge of flame,\" Eiei shrugged. \"Claiming to create a flame without a miracle just changes whom you'll be pissing off. And it just so happens the 'whom' you're now pissing off, is the entire Arue, and the Guardians' knights, and much of the nobility of the Second Floor. Maybe not so much the archos and the voyagers of the Floors beyond, but, well, damned if that isn't almost everyone.\"\n```\n_ _\n\n```\n\"And the Solar Guardian? You'd ought not even t' speak his name. I don't believe at all in omens, but to be wholly honest, I make an exception for that man.\" \n\n\"You wouldn't think the son of the great saint Eikokue would be a man of such an awful nature. Here in the village, some even find it in them to revere the Eclipse Guardian just by his mother, but not that man. He is another case,\" he frowned.\n```\n_ _\n\n```\n\"But enough with that. Again back to your magic.\"\n\"The concept of sorcery without a proper incantation is something that the Arue claims is either impossible or a worthy enough heresy to be turned to ash. Oddly always swings between the two, depending on who you asked — crazy how that works, eh? 'It's impossible', one swears, and then other says 'Those who practice such things defy the teachings of the great Ezer', as though it were clearly possible from the start.\"\n\"A whole pot of dung is what it really is. There are things on the Fourth Floor that extend so far beyond miracles that it's almost laughable. When you tug on a loose string of the lie, all the narrative falls apart at the seams.\"\n\"Maybe I should've expected it to be possible,\" he contemplated for a moment, \"but the surprise comes in the fact I've never seen an outsider use a miracle or magic. Well... I mean, I've only met one, but it is what it is. Learn a new thing every day, I guess.\"\n```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"Yo. Long time no see.\"\n\n\"Yo. Long time no see.\"\n\n\"YO. LONG TIME NO SEE.\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "\"What are you talking about?\"\n\n\"It hasn't even been that long.\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"YO. LONG TIME NO SEE.\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "\"Can you even understand me?\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\nKuouo lightly scoffed at Eiei's jovial turn-of-blame towards the bandit, leaning forward with an amused smirk. \"I was hopin' ye were jokin',\" Kuouo snickered, \"After all, ya wouldn't believe what kinda appetite gettin' shot at works up.\" Figuring he had the go ahead, the famished caprine shuffled over to the cauldron, grabbed a wooden bowl, and helped himself to a polite amount of the rabbit stew.\n\nGetting comfortable on the rustic sofa once more, the bandit blew on his stew for just a moment before bringing the bowl up to his maw and beginning to gulp it down. He chugged down the viscous liquid, his eyes darting between Eiei and Errek with each retort they shot at each other. Kuouo found a great enjoyment in the stew's organic and somewhat foreign flavor. What would be a gamey flavor — or whatever 'wet meat in stagnant water' tasted like — was pleasantly masked by the various seasonings that marinated with the soft and tender meat over time. The bandit's curiosity over otherworldly stew was sufficiently quenched, yet the brotherly banter between his two hosts left his other questions unsatiated, albeit only for a short moment.\n\n\"Shoulda gotten more stew...\" \n```\n\n \n```\n\nThe bandit muttered to himself. Noticing that Eiei was finally locking in on the conversation at hand, Kuouo placed the bowl on the coffee table before leaning forward with his paws on his knees, head tilted to match Eiei's angle. \n\nThe second answer to Kuouo's second question was pretty obvious and to be expected, yet it still left a taste of dissatisfaction. \"Figures. Not to mention the way down t' these caverns are a bit far out from the direction most of us came through.\" Kuouo looked at Errek out the side of his eye with a smirk, \"But eh, ain't nothin' wrong with lookin' for a good little squabble inna moment of boredom.\" Kuouo chuckled. \"But like ya said, little squabbles and lone bandits like myself prolly wouldn't grab royalty's attention on the first go around.\" Kuouo dryly laughed. It's not like that he wanted any kind of that attention, yet he found himself in the fog chasing after rambunctious nightmares threatening to end a dream before it even had a chance to manifest.\n\n\n```\n\n \nGrunting to himself and crossing his arms, Kuouo crossed his leg over onto his knee and tapped the digits of his left paw along the opposite bicep, impatiently waiting for Eiei to gather his tho-\n\n \n```\n\"Well, cause it's damned heresy, I suppose?\"\n\n```\n\n \n```\nKuouo's head tilted with a raised eyebrow, though confusion would soon degrade into a slight grimace if what he heard was correct. 'Heresy for practicin' what's a part of my damn body.' The bandit closed his eyes, 'and it just so happens that it'll prolly piss off the people I'll be wantin' t' talk to.' Kuouo looked back up at Eiei, his ear twitching at the mention of Aazkue. If he remembered correctly, the reason Aazkue got Veirok'd in the first place was because he attempted to take the Taae Chit Ezer's life... A cardinal sin and a following omen that ties right back around to Eiei's continued explanation over heresy, blasphemy, and the like. \n\n```\n\n```\n\"Pile o' shit is right,\" Kuouo stood up, finally wiping the stew that's been stuck on his chin for the past two minutes or so. \"Cuz even for a place with its own religion, yer still an ark that's travellin' through space-time and what not.\" Kuouo snickered. \"Yer bound t' meet some wacky stuff if outsiders are common enough t' call 'outlanders.\" Kuouo raised his paws in the air and shrugged. \"But if the Arue or whatever figures the idea is so alien that they can't even make up a convincin' reason around it, I guess I gotta watch myself when tryna talk up Princesses and the like.\" He winked, indicating that he might be trying to seek out Tokko, but with enough suave to make it ambiguous whether it was for a completely shallow reason or something much deeper. Given the situation outside the quarry, however, the latter seemed a lot more plausible.\n\n```\n\n```\nKuouo took a step towards the cloth that shielded the cozy interior from the harsh elements outside, emotionally wincing at the prospect of having to step back out into the bitter cold. \"Well, I really oughta get goin'.\" The bandit announced. \"I 'ppreciate the hospitality, and I'd really get a bowl of stew to-go if I could.\" The bandit tugged the hood of his cloak and jerked it over his horns. \"And I did say I'd make this 'mutually beneficial.' I dunno if this is worth any on this floor, but I imagine a couple of workers like yerselves'd be appreciative of these either way... \" Reaching into a cloth bag tied around his leather belt, the bandit grabbed a pawful of GOLD coins, resting them on the arm of the sofa directly to Eiei's right. \"Should be 10, 5 each'll do... Even if Errek there nicked my arm pretty badly.\" Kuouo teased with a playful frown. \n\n```\n\n```\n\"Forreal though, if ya got any questions or are otherwise unhappy with what I consider beneficial for ya, ya better speak up now or forever hold yer peace.\" Kuouo walked over to the cloth, motioning to wave it open and looking back at the two with a half-smile.\n\n```" }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"He eats well.\"\nErrek commented, still leaned against one of the walls of the small hollow, cocking his head back in an upward nod toward Kuouo. His gaze seemed still cautious of the bandit, yet his countenance overall seemed affirming in his comment; Errek always respected those who had a good appetite." }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "Seated in his comfort, the long-haired man remained with his air casualness, grinning slightly as Kuouo partook in the stew with his hand loosely extended, both as though to say Good, right?\" He hadn't an idea how long Kuouo had actually been on the `Second Floor`, yet with the time between the arrows' rumbling and the bandit's arrival, it had to at least be a while. It was a shame to have to give up some of the leftovers, but, well... He and Errek didn't Have To eat, anyway.\n\nListening through Kuouo's responses whilst leaned in, his head rested on the back of his folded hands, the white-haired and ashen-skinned fellow gave a neutral glare toward the bandit as he spoke. His eyes subtly honed when the outsider spoke such words as \"Spacetime\", and, moreover, when he referred to them as a 'couple of workers'. \n\n`Mm, s'ppose that's all what we look like,` He thought. A much younger Eiei might have taken that the wrong way, but the wisened man now seated in his place was both more aloof to such statements and much more knowing of their innocuous nature.\n\nThe ashen-skinned fellow's gaze followed Kuouo as he reached toward his belt, the subtle glimmer of the golden coins reflecting in his silver eyes.\n\n_ _\n```\n\"Gold?\"```\n\nHe plucked up a couple of the coins, rubbing the two together between his fingers, as he held them close to his face." }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"G... Old?\"\n\nThe muscular miner's arms unfolded, and he took a step forward, leaning in to view the currency...\n\n\"Gold.\"" }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"Yeah. Gold,\"\u001b Eiei nodded.```" }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "\"—'Twould indeed be gold.\"\nErrek affirmed, folding his arms, also nodding." }, { "author": "Eiei", "message": "```\n\"Yeah. That's what I just said,\"\u001b he slapped the coins back down onto the arm of the sofa.```\n\nEiei leaned back upright, his head tilting toward the ceiling as he closed his eyes, and his lips shifted, his visage loosely-perplexed. He folded his arms, his thumb beneath his chin and his index resting over his lip.\n\n```\n\"... Man, hell am I s'pposed to do with this?\"```\n\nThe fellow began to chuckle, as Errek shook his head, though the latter was also softly grinning himself. Then Eiei laughed, wholly, before he pinched back up a piece of the gold, holding it upright between himself and Kuouo as he leaned back in, his other arm hanging loosely over the edge of his left knee.\n\n```\n\"Mm, it's no doubt a pretty coin.\"\n\"See, man — the issue is, I've nothing to buy, and nobody withwhich to trade, hey?\"```\n\nWith a flick of his thumb, he flipped the coin, its gilded reflection streaking a contour through the air as it launched high, then descended swift, landing with a quiet slap against the back of the silver-eyed man's hand, now rested across the knuckles. He rolled the thing back and forth with such a dexterity that it almost seemed practiced, though it clearly was not; his natural sleight-of-hand was such that it almost seemed supernatural, twirling and tucking the thing across his knuckles and then back into the grip of his hand, where he then presented the coin across the surface of his palm.\n\n```\n\"Still,\" he closed his eyes and grinned, genuinely; perhaps the first true emotion the lackadaisical man had displayed since their meeting,\"it'll make for a good memory, no?\"```\n\nNow their meeting was approaching its end. Kuouo turned and had prepared to take his leave, Errek's gaze shifting slightly as his smile faded and his countenance hardening, while Eiei simply gave his neutral stare. Something immediately came upon the silver-eyed man's mind, and it seemed, for a moment, to burden his mind, as he pondered quietly.\n\n```\n\"You're going to keep going up, aren't you?\"\n\"Keep on climbing, right? To the next Floor, and the Floor after it.\"\n\"No matter who stands in your way. 'Til you hit the top.\"```\n\nEiei stood, and a new air defined him. It seemed a great deal much more serious than he had been in his introduction and his conversation prior, his posture straightening as his eyes were honed, a small weight pulling upon his brow. Tinges of unknown emotions swirled beyond the man's controlled, carefully-maintained visage as he stared toward Kuouo, and yet despite all his control, a strange sense of remorse, apprehension, and sorrow all seemed to peer through.\n\n```\n\"Without lookin' back, right?\"```\n\n`...I don't want to regret this again.`\n_ _\n\nHe turned, and paced toward the opposite side of the small alcove, reaching into a small crevice at the foot of the wall. There, within a cleft of stone, was a small, rectangular, ashen-wooden box, covered in loose stone-dust and very apparently worn over many years — fifty years, at least. Eiei lifted the thing close to his face, pausing — hesitating — for a long moment, his expression unseen by either Errek or by Kuouo as he had turned his back to them.\n\n```\n\"... One little trinket for another, huh...?\"```\n\nHe slid the lid open, retrieving a small pendant from within. A pendant with a +-shaped ivory cross, bound by a thin string that was also decorated by ebony, wooden beads — all three not of types one would find on the Second Floor. It seemed to be constructed of a material and culture alien to the Second Floor — and perhaps even to the Vektet Itself. A peculiar magic imbued its form, mana engraved into its very form and fluctuating through the atmosphere around the space it occupied.\n\nEiei turned, staring over at Kuouo over his shoulder. Inlying within his eyes was a potent, undefined expression that showed only the weight of his emotion and none of its substance, as, without warning, the man tossed the pendant toward Kuouo.\n\n```\n\"You should take this.\"\n\"A long time ago, an outlander——a warrior——gave it to me.\"\n\"He told me that it represented home,\" Eiei squinted lightly, \"said he 'didn't need it anymore', since 'the only way for him was forward.'\"\n\"...'m gonna tell you what to do, but, just know this:\"\n\"Just know it doesn't get any easier from here-on-up. And it isn't always a sin to turn back.\"```\n\nWith that, Eiei would let him go." }, { "author": "Errek", "message": "...\nBut if Kuouo were to step beyond that sheet and go his own way, he would be stopped just a few steps out the door. A hand would press against his shoulder, and if Kuouo were to turn, there he would find Errek.\n\n\"Bandit.\"\n\"Before you go.\"\n\"—'Tis true that you plan to see the Princess, Tokko, correct?\"\n\"I do not know what it is you seek her for. But I see that you are not a malignant man, even if you are a bandit.\"\n\nA concerned, but understanding expression was upon his face, his brow furrowed slightly, yet his gaze gentle.\n\n\"So I would entrust you with a recommendation.\"\n\"She is a stern woman, and negligent, grossly\"\n\"But she is not a Bad woman,\" He shook his head. \"She is merely... Say, Tentative.\"\n\"Entreat her well, and she will hear your petition. She shall bear down on your first, yes — but do not believe her hopeless, entirely.\"\n\nErrek turned, stretching his right arm. He seemed to have retrieved his pickaxe, slinging the thing back over his shoulder as he stepped back toward the entry of the small hollow in the rock, hidden behind the cloth.\n\n\"I admit. I did misjudge you, bandit.\"\n\"But know this:\" Errek paused, before re-entering.\n\"...My loss was only result of Eiei's intervention!\"\n\"Had he not stepped in, you would most certainly already be buried beneath the stone.\"\n\"Remember that, bandit!\" —now he stepped beyond the curtain, waiting not for a response." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\n\"A good memory, huh? Yeah, I 'spose so...\" \n```\n Kuouo held the tapestry open, still turned towards Eiei and Errek as the bitter wind howled for the bandit's return. Kuouo reciprocated with a hearty smile, a chuckle-and-a-half fading as the cold air slowly replaced the warm atmosphere provided by the fire. Eiei muttered to himself, yet each word was expertly discerned with the caprine's dangling ears. Without speaking, the bandit quietly confirmed the silver-haired man's assumptions with a firm and determined nod. Eiei stood, a touch of melancholy in his carriage that the bandit found somewhat peculiar — The first couple times he could finally get a read on the lackadaisical man and they're both subtle moments of joy and somberness...\n\nNonetheless, Kuouo's eyes quietly followed Eiei. The black hood over his head somewhat obscured his eyes and slightly obfuscated the silver-haired man pondering over the wooden box that dusted his palms. The bandit slightly pushed the edge of his hood back, Eiei now facing him as he lifted the lid and revealed a peculiar pendant of warrior's past. Though unannounced, the bandit was quick to retrieve the beaded necklace, snatching it out of the air with his left paw and immediately feeling the mana resonating within. Yet, much like the silver-haired man's gaze yet again, Kuouo could not exactly discern what it held within. He knew only of its history from the information Eiei was willing to give in that moment...\n\n```\n'A warrior that only wanted to move forward...'\n```\n\n \nThe bandit thought to himself, his brow furrowing at the very thought of abandoning home. Kuouo was indeed still determined to climb to the top. To claim victory over whatever hardships that were to get in his way from exploring the ark. Yet to be stuck with the assumption that he was only going to be moving forward left a sour taste in the bandit's mouth. He refused to forget about home. He refused to forget about the hardships, bonds, and mistakes he made on the first floor. And most importantly, he refused to be chained to that warrior's ideals.\n\n```\nKuouo quickly donned the pendant, looking down and admiring how it slightly complimented the cloak he obtained in Exiles' Watch. Turning back towards the tapestry, he looked down and to the side towards Eiei, speaking with a grateful tone, \"... Thanks!\" He took one step out of the doorway. \"... And I'll be sure t' bring ye guys some pot roast next time I swing back around.\" He muttered reassuringly before finally taking his leave.\n```\n\n... But it seemed that Errek, too, wanted to leave the bandit with a parting gift as well. Kuouo had taken a few out into the dark quarry, where the snow had dusted the bandit's black cloak once more, before a firm grip on his shoulder grabbed his attention yet again. Kuouo responded to man's query with a quick nod as he quickly tuned into the information Errek was willing to give just moments after Kuo's departure.\n\n```\nKuouo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as Errek used the descriptors 'bandit' and 'not malignant' together, but nonetheless, he peered at the blue-haired miner and continued to listen intently. \"... So I jus' gotta be nice and persistent?\" Kuouo relayed, regurgitating the information in an even simpler form from what Errek presented with. \"... Maybe me an' her'll have a lot more in common than I think... So, bet.\" He appreciatively nodded, \"I'll be sure t' put it t' use.\" \n\n```\n\n \n... As Errek proudly retaliated against the outcome of their previous scuffle in his boastful version of a farewell, the bandit could do nothing but exhale in amusement as a confident smirk is drawn across his own face.\n\n```\n\"... Yeah, sure man. Sure.\" He snickered under his breath before moving upward through the quarry.\n```" } ]	356	23,360
464.133333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`A building positioned in the heart of the residencies of the Second Floor's commons. It is moderately larger than the rest of the buildings that surround it, boasting a stone foundation and generally more robust architecture.`\n\nThrough the dense darkness and ever-present enshrouding silence, Abstral would make his way blindly through the midst of the residencies of the village, in whose obfuscation would allow him only to see the vague silhouettes of buildings ever-flanking his left and his right before swiftly dissipating into the indistinct masslessness of the shadowy haze which captured the whole of the commons. The sight of Kuouo and Taash would soon grow distant as the three split up, and as they split further and farther apart, Abstral would ultimately lose sight of both two, left only to himself in his search of the commons.\n\nIt was both a curse and a blessing to travel in such incredible darkness and silence — certainly, it made it harder to navigate the region, yet so too did it provide the boon of hiding away the outsider within the obscurity of the illusion of moonlessness. Every footstep he took through the shallow snow was dampened in its noise, as if snuffed out in the very moment that it originated; while he could, indeed, hear the own noises he was producing, they were incredibly quieted, as if suppressed significantly before ever reaching his ears. Such a strange disparity in his senses would, of course, be somewhat disorienting, but so long as he grew used to it, it could only serve for his good... As long as he did not encounter Whatever else was hidden in this illusion.\n\n...\n_ _\n\nDarkened homes of ashen wood, lacking of windows with doors shut tight, were all that crossed Abstral's eyes as he paced swiftly through the darkness of the commons. There was scarce a place he could even see that he could viably Enter, Let alone find Useful information from. His search would turn up moot for moments on end. That was, until, finally, almost minutes in to his trek through the snow, he saw Something, anything, of redeeming value — a moderately-larger-than-normal building, with much more professional architecture than the homely and lesser-built residencies that surrounded it.\n\nTwo frosted windows flanked its sole door of darkwood, both so opaque that he could hardly see anything beyond them, and especially so due to the darkness which hindered his vision. Its door yet remained untested, yet, were he to further investigate, he would swift discover that Its entry was unlocked, In stark contrast to whatever other building he may have attempted to enter in the early stages of his search.\n\nWhile he could enter as he pleased, there was a strange tension that surrounded the atmosphere of the building. When one's preceding five senses are constricted, an individual is forced to adapt in their sixth: intuition. And his intuition, now, warned him that, despite the utter silence of the building, Something Lied within." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "As he headed towards and through the housings, keeping an eye out for the other mercenaries along the way, Abstral would come upon, or rather in the darkness, stumble upon a building that stood out among those that he had passed, if only because of its larger and more professional looking nature. It loomed before him, grand and imposing.\n\nHe would have to be cautious, as he had traversed this far, he already had the feeling that he was being watched, and in the darkness, it was indeed possible that there were eyes on him now that he could not see. Heading slowly up to the doorway of the building, he tried the door, only to be surprised at it being unlocked.\n\nThe chill that went down his spine had little to do with the cold. This all seemed too easy, perhaps he was being led here by forces unseen. This \"Witness\" Perhaps? He hoped not. \n\nAll the more ominous seemed the darkness of the building's interior that now lie in front of him. He could Feel Something in there, he could only hope it was a someOne And not a someThing, and that, despite Taash's words, they were friendly. In any case it was too late to turn back now.\n\nHe stepped into the building and used a bit of his magic to bring his Aura to life. Not enough so that the white outline around his body would be visible to anyone around him, but just enough so that he shone and became a dim light passing through the otherwise dark building.\n\nCautiously, he called out.\n\n```\"Hello? Is anyone in here? I come in peace, so please if you are there, do not attack.```" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The door creaks open, and warm air gusts from beyond its wooden frame. Intuition only further piqued as the outsider stepped foot into the midst of the peculiar building, and, while its interior was comfortable in temperature, the persistent warnings of such a sixth sense would only build discomfort as he trespassed on its midst. Despite all its silence, he felt Watched.\n\nDark, vast, yet crowded — the appearance of chairs, tables, and other various furniture spread throughout the midst of its dim interior some distance ahead of Abstral immediately after he entered — the peculiar building would seem anything But A residence, lacking anything besides tables and chairs. It was all too big for a single person, and lacked any sort of housing-furniture that would suggest its purpose as such a location. With all the tables and chairs scattered around Abstral — some knocked to the floor, some pushed up against their respective tables — he would swift come to the conclusion that this place was no simple housing, but rather what seemed to be a Tavern, Of sorts.\n\n`Splatter.`\n\nAs his foot steps forward, it creaks subtly against the mostly-well-kept wooden floor, but not before coming in contact with something... Liquid. Something warm, something dark in color, and with a slightly thicker consistency than that of water. The liquid splatters up against his shoe, staining it in its distinct color. Yes, as he looked down, in the darkness, and took in the sight and scent of that which he stepped into, it instantaneously was made clear to him what, exactly, it was. Its color was unmistakable; its hue and scent made it recognizable at first glance. It was something absolutely unpleasant to stain one's clothes with...\n\n\nCoffee.\n\n_ _\n\nFortunately, he did not stumble onto the scene of a crime today.\nThe aromatic scent of coffee wafts up toward Abstral as he splattered the pooling puddle of beverage, poured across the floor from a wooden mug that seems to have been discarded rather hastily. And, in fact, Many Things, now that he gained clearer sight of them, seemed to be strewn across the abandoned tavern in haste. Cloths, plates, more mugs, beverages — it's as if the establishment was swiftly evacuated, and judging from the warmth of the coffee that stained the brim of his pantleg, it was evacuated not long ago.\n\nThat would only beg the question — what was weighing on his Intuitio-" }, { "author": "Tove", "message": "*\"Don't move.\"\n\nOpposite Abstral, and located all the way at the back of the tavern, behind its wooden counter, was the faint glimmer of eyes' reflections, peeking up at him. And slightly below those eyes... A Weapon.\n\nA ranged weapon. A Crossbow.* One with a silvery bolt locked and loaded, its sharpened end aimed straight toward Abstral.*\n\nThe one who held it in her grasp possessed the white hair characteristic of nearly every resident of the Second Floor — though slightly more ashen in hue than that of the hair of the heir Abstral had earlier met, Ochre — her eyes of a desaturated olive-green wide-open and eerily focused on the outsider who intruded on her tavern. Her hands were utterly unmoving, perfectly stable as they clasped the handle of the crossbow, left finger outstretched and not placed directly atop its trigger. Abstral could hardly catch sight of her even moving as she unflinchingly threatened him from across the entire length of the tavern, not allowing one sign of weakness to surface on her pale visage.\n\nBut as her eyes continue to stare and stare, unblinkingly, she squinted in slight, her head tilting ever-subtly. The first sign expression of emotion would manifest itself on her face, and that emotion would be Confusion,* Or so it seemed.\n\n\"...Oh.\"\n\"I was expecting someone else.\"\n\nThe crossbow clicked slightly as she adjusted her aim up, toward the roof, disarming her threat as she averted the weapon from the outsider. She shot a peculiar stare at the one in the doorway as she slung the crossbow over her left shoulder, standing upright from behind the counter — at a height of about 178cm — allowing a moment of silence. She, seemingly for no reason at all, dropped all hostile intent after intently glaring at Abstral for some time.\n\nHow odd...\n...But not unexpected.\nAs both Ochre and Taash earlier spoke, Abstral had a boon that no other outsider possessed — his White hair.\n\n`Clic...`\n`Clic...`\n`Spark!`\n_ _\n\n—she struck a peculiar sort of rock, akin to flint but with more blue undertones, into a small tinderbox. As its char-cloth glowed alight, its warm, reddish glow faintly illumined her proximity, as she plucked up the handle of the tinderbox, pressing its splint against two candles located on either side of the counter. The candles indeed caught flame, granting a tender light to the rear of the tavern, illuminating about a third of its interior.\n\n\"No good to be wandering around in the village in the state it's in.\"\n\"You... Aren't from this part of town, are ya?\"\n\n\"Cause this ain't a sanctuary—I'll tell you that much.\"\n\nHer hostility had abated, but absolutely not her suspicion. The outsider indeed possessed white hair and blended smoothly in with the rest of the village's residency, but what of his nature? His demeanor? And his knowingness of his general surroundings? Most people, in times of emergency, don't seek out Taverns..." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Hearing no response to his call, and yet still feeling that Someone was watching him, he carefully crept through the building, scanning his surroundings, which had gotten easier due to the light from his aura. This place didn't seem very home-like, lacking any furniture other than strewn about tables and chairs that he passed by.\n\nPerhaps this wasn't a house after all, perhaps it was a-\n\nThe feel of liquid against his shoe interrupted his thoughts but also re-affirmed them. He carefully dipped a finger in the liquid and smelled it, both the smell and the appearance making it very clear that it was in fact, coffee, not that he himself was familiar with the drink's taste though he had smelled it many times before in his adventures.\n\nHe stepped around the pool of coffee, glancing at the mug from which it spilled, briefly, before coming upon even more items strewn about. This definitely seemed like some kind of abandoned bar or tavern, but then if it was abandoned what explained his feeling of being watched?\n\n\nHe got his answer quickly as from the darkness ahead of him a voice suddenly. He first heard the voice then saw the light cast across the stranger and then finally the figure's weapon. It was a white-haired individual, which Abstral expected since he was told that the civilians had that in common with both each other and himself, and the sole reason why he could afford to be a little less discrete.\n\nHe took in the figure's other features, she appeared to be female though he could not of course, be sure, but most importantly she seemed ready to kill him if he moved further, which was of course, rather unfortunate for him.\n\nAnd yet before he could even explain himself, the figure had again spoken and changed her expression, seeming to be confused and her words indicating she was expecting someone indeed, but not him.\n\nAbstral eased as she pointed the crossbow away from him and upon her shoulder. She had been keeping eye contact with him this entire time" }, { "author": "Tove", "message": "The tavernkeep persisted in her suspicions of the outsider, her eyes of faded olive still wide-open and peering as she remained unbroken and unblinking in her offsetting glare toward the outsider. Still with hand lightly in grip about the handle of the crossbow, she perked an ear as the outsider began to explain himself, his face faintly illumined by the distant light of the candle. Her attention seemed acute, and her unwavering posture undeniably demonstrated that she was still skeptical of the man, her head lightly swaying from left-to-right as she weighed what he said.\n\n\"Hmmmmmm.\"\n\nShe enunciated, as her fingers slipped about the handle of the crossbow, slowly lowering it below the counter. The words he spoke would be peculiar, to most, and exceptionally suspicious — but to the tavernkeep, it seemed to strike a spot most tender. It was a very, Very Familiar story to her. Waking up in the dark and the cold beyond the town without recollection of where, how, or when one was born...\n\n\"All right...\"\n\n`Clic.`\n_ _\n\nThe crossbow subtly clicked as she released it from her grip, setting it in its rightful place beneath the counter. Easing her wide-open glare, the tavernkeep — still standing — took a step forward, leaning against the counter as she appeared to disperse both a majority of her suspicions, as well as any open signs of combat-readiness. Abstral had proven himself to be a civil person without signs of hostile intent, and his story, through indirect evoking of Tove's own memory, garnered her basic trust.\n\n\"Yeap.\"\n\"It's a tavern, sure as it seems.\"\n\"Beans procured locally, miraculous as that may seem. I do all the workin'. From the harvesting to the brewing to the cleaning, it's all me.\"\n\"My place, one and only.\"\n\n—she said, her tone loose and almost bored in the way she spoke. Propping her head up with her left hand, elbow leaned against the counter, the tavernkeep locked eyes with the outsider.\n\n\"Tove.\"\nShe spoke with such conclusive tone that it seemed she expected him to immediately understand what she meant by saying such a thing. Tove. Her name. What else could it be?\n\n\"The guests all scampered off 'cause the barrier's up.\"\n\"Tokko's barrier. You would've noticed it, with all that darkness. Pret-ty hard to miss.\"\n\n\"'Abstral,' you said. Mmm. Can't say it sounds all too familiar. Well, I haven't met you in the first place, but...\"\n\"...Doesn't sound like a name you'd hear 'round these parts.\"\n\"Luckily, I was given a name that tended to fit in with the rest of the commonfolk...\"\n\n\"What a coincidence... An Amnesiac...\"\n\nShe closed her eyes, pondering away with that finishing sentence." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Abstral sighed internally as, though she still remained suspicious, this stranger seemingly believed his lie. He listened intently to her words as her demeanor towards him relaxed, especially the answers to his questions.\n\nAh, so this was her tavern, her's and only hers.\n\nSeems like hard work, Abstral thought to himself.\n\nShe then gave him her name, Tove.\n\nAbstral nodded when she mentioned the barrier and internally cursed himself for not including it as a factor in his story, she could have called him out on that, but at least he could be grateful that she didn't.\n\nSmall alarms did go off in his head as she said his name and cited how out of place it was, hopefully it wouldn't rouse suspicion, same with her mentioning him being an amnesiac (according to his fake story) as a \"Coincidence\".\n\nAt the risk of giving too much away / sounding far too inquisitive, he asked a few more questions.\n\n```\"Ah, yes I did see something akin to a barrier as I got here, or rather I suppose Didn't See it due to the darkness and all, heh. If you don't mind me asking, is this place under attack? Why was this barrier summoned and the patrons of this place fleeing? You seemed prepared to attack when I came in here and thought me someone else, someone dangerous perhaps?\" ```" }, { "author": "Tove", "message": "The tavernkeep raised her visage in response to the outsider's ensuing question, her eyes opening from closed into a slight squint toward the stranger opposite herself. There was an ever-persistent, habitual mien of apathy on Tove's face — almost as though she was either all too spiritless or all too bored to truly display any emotion one way or another — but her expression was not for a display of any inherent issue she had with what Abstral was saying. Of course, she wasn't typically disposed toward just answering questions or providing any sort of service without receiving something in return, but, even then, she didn't find any contempt in her spirit to give to the one who had (deceitfully) revealed himself an amnesiac. Rather, it was simply Tove's way of life to be held between responsible interest and pure, overworked lassitude; her perpetual spirit and appearance of distant disinterestedness was simply born of her intrinsic nature.\n\n...Also, perhaps, several years too long in eternity had dulled her edge of interest in, well... Appreciating things. Anything, really.\n_ _\n\nNonetheless, Tove enunciated a wordless interjection, an `'Mm.'` Deeply and faintly echoing from the back of her throat. She tilted her head slightly as she leaned over the bar-counter, giving an angled nod so to demonstrate at least some faint acknowledgment toward Abstral's questions. As Abstral concluded, the tavernkeep finally shifted her head and gaze slightly upward and beyond the outsider, allowing a moment for the queries to settle before following up on them.\n\n\"Under attack? Probably.\"\n\"Not exactly every night that Emissary Cherei will pull back one of them horrifying arrows.\"\n\"The sound of those silver spears being loosed from the bowstring could almost be heard from the palace.\"\n\n\"So it's not surprising that the folk around here are a tad bit ruffled.\"\n\"A silver rain of arrows begins falling on the snowfield past the gate... And only, ahhh— twenty minutes, or so, later, the illusory barrier goes up...\"\n\"Well, laymen like us, we can't imagine anything beyond the beginning of another war. Hell. Maybe there Will Be war.\"\n\"Who's t' say.\"\n\nTove gave a slight shrug, shifting her head to rest on her left arm which leaned against the bar counter. She breathed a punctuating exhale out, closing her eyes in a pause, before belatedly opening them again, staring off toward the darkness held at the corner of the tavern.\n\n\"As for me, I... Don't really care, one way or another.\"\n\"But also, I don't care to see the tavern razed.\"\n\"I suppose that's all there really is to it.\"" }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Abstral took in her responses, careful to not let his face betray his true intentions behind asking them. So the entire village could hear this \"Cherei\" Attacking them when they entered the Floor and then the barrier went up soon after. But the time discrepancy didn't make sense. It had been much longer than 20 minutes since they had all arrived up here.\n\nSo perhaps Tove was referring to her attacking the Other Outsiders.\n\nOh no.\n\nHe took in the rest of her words as well but they became less important as they didn't reveal much else that he needed to know. He had gotten nothing much resembling useful information out of this woman, so there was no point in staying here.\n\nStill though, perhaps staying here DID have it's advantages, if this was a tavern, even despite the current circumstances, the other mercenaries might be drawn here. It was... Unlikely, he had to admit that, but still possible, and so he'd remain here at least a little longer.\n\n```\"Yes I do suppose that typically arrows raining down from the sky isn't exactly what you'd call a regular occurrence. In the case of war, are the people of this town capable of defending themselves? Surely if this Emissary is well-armed, then there are those who would, shall we say, \"Violently\" Oppose this town and it's way of life, is there not?\" ```" }, { "author": "Tove", "message": "\"...Some.\"\n\nThe tavernkeep spoke with a bit of a murmur, her glance still askance as she peered with a squinting glare beyond Abstral, and toward the door of the tavern. There was a hint of grumbling in her voice when she responded to his question on those who \"Violently opposed the town\", as though she harbored some sort of uncertainness while speaking on such a matter. \n\n`Those who violently oppose this town, huh?`—she thought. \n\n\"If my memory—Ha—serves me correctly, mm.\"\n\nA subtle and dry laugh interrupted her statement, as though she scoffed at the very idea. But Tove soon seemed to go into thought, closing her eyes as she folded her arms, softly and slowly pacing away from the bar counter. How many years had it been...? A long, long while, to be sure... Probably before she was even born. Well, before she Knew She was born, at least. Ha, Indeed. She hadn't any trouble remembering anything After Her childhood, but During It...?\n\n\"Well, far as I know, the Knights of Sol never fancied themselves to even acknowledge Second Floor's validity. Hated it to bits, they did. If anyone's an enemy to this Floor, it's gonna be them.\"\n\"There was the whole incident where the Eclipse Guardian assassinated one of the bearers of the Moon-Mother's blessing. The Waxing Crescent, I think—she was known to be real sweet. She was gone long before my time, but the Princess here still mourns her.\"\n_ _\n\nThe barkeep spoke, now leaning on the wall shortly behind the bar counter, folding her arms as she narrated what even indefiniteness she knew. These matters, to the common person, was Ancient history, And especially to someone such as Tove, who never heard of such reports firsthand, or simply never lived long enough to experience the events in the first place; she knew not which of the two was true, but all that was relevant was which she could recall.\n\n\"Believe there were also skirmishes beyond the wall. The Solar Guardian lead his brass-bearing forces to the Second Floor, only to have them swiftly quelled by the Emissary herself. Not quite 's many accounts about that matter, though. All's they say is that She didn't miss a single shot.\" \n\n\"Though all's the little guy like me knows is what I've picked up from vague hearsay.\"\n\"I'm better with today's woes than with yesterday's. You happen to hear more things about the present when you run a tavern. Not many historians come visit, really.\"" }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Abstral took in the information Tove gave in response to his inquiries.\n\nKnights of Sol? Enemy to this entire Floor? Eclipse Guardian assassinating someone important and well-mourned by the royalty? Emissary Cherei fighting a being known as the Solar Guardian? \n\nWhile these answers were not the ones he had come here seeking nor did he fully understand any of it, they were intriguing to ponder nonetheless.\n\nHe'd ask no more questions, as he could sense that she began to be suspicious of him asking so many at once and he doubted she'd know anything about the other outsiders.\n\nTo be quite honest, he Didn't know what to do now. He could wait here further, hoping that somehow the other mercenaries discovered this place, or he could leave, hopefully discreetly, and try his luck somewhere else. \n\nUnless Something happened soon, he would likely chose the latter option.\n\nHe had waited quite awhile, sitting in the darkness before deciding that perhaps waiting for something to happen or one of the mercs to come to this place was not the best use of his time, or plan. He'd get nowhere and nothing done waiting around, their plan needed to continue and for that the mercenaries needed found.\n\nHe would think carefully about how to phrase what he'd ask Tove next, before suddenly speaking again.\n\n```\"So I've gotten the impression that outsiders aren't the most welcome around these parts, why is that? Have they aligned with the sovereignty's enemies in the past? If outsiders were to encroach upon the royal domain, how would they be treated? These Knights of Sol that you spoke of, are they from The Outside? I speak in terms of more than just this Floor, mind you.\"```" }, { "author": "Tove", "message": "\"Outsiders, mm.\"\n\nTove paused, the desaturated hue of her irises averted in a prolonged pause. With her hands folded and rested in front of her legs, she relaxed herself in her lean, her head swinging back slightly as she continued to scour through the faded pages of her memory. And indeed, faded those pages were; it just so happened that Abstral's core curiosity was about things that preceded her era. Or, the era that she could remember. It was always a toss-up — what had happened before she was born, and what had happened before she ever knew she was born? Perhaps she wasn't born on the Ark In the first place. Perhaps she was one of the Moon-Mother's first servants. Perhaps—\n\n`... Well, that's besides the point ...`\n\nShe exhaled in such fashion that one could almost call it an expression of humor, yet the general languid appearance that shrouded her visage concealed away such a figment of joy. Not one to linger long in idle thoughts, the tavern-keep's eyes slipped back, front-and-center, to the visitor before her.\n\n\"Outsiders have always been seen as... An omen. That's the best word we've got for that kinda thing.\"\n\"Maybe it's 'cause the people of the Ark are so accustomed to seeing the same old faces that, when something new shows up...\"\n\"They're quick to scare, I guess,\" She shrugged. \"And like wolves, they're quick to bite at what they fear.\"\n\"The unknown have always been thought of as an omen, by one and all.\"\n\"Even if you've no intention to harm, someone's going to want you gone,\" She spoke, as though having experienced such first-hand.\n\nNow with her arms folded closely, and her hands pressed against opposite sides of her waist, the tavernkeeper stared with her blank and tired gaze toward the stranger before her, and squinted, quite subtly.\n\n\"...And you, what's it that you plan to do?\"\n\n`... That's right ...`\n`... An amnesiac?`\n\n\"Do you plan to move forward? Like The last.\"\n\nFor the first time, her brow raised." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Abstral took in her words as she gave him the answers to his, perhaps too pointed, questions.\n\nAh, an aversion of an interruption to the status quo., he thought to himself as she explained the denizens of this domain's view of outsiders. Like him. He knew this feeling well as he and Shiro had showed up on many worlds as part of their training under their father, and of those worlds, many of their peoples' did not take too kindly to their presence.\n\nHer last remark went on to further spark his curiosity, perhaps.\n\n``\"Hmm.\"``, he remarked simply, keeping his expression plain, his brow raised in turn as he prepared to ask yet another question. ``\"The last, you say? To whom does that refer?\" ``He knew this question was in turn dodging her question, slightly at least, but it was that last part he was the most interested in. Perhaps she referred to the other outsiders he was seeking, or perhaps not, in any case, more information would surely aid in his search.\n\nAnd if she pressed the question about his intentions, he could always continue to lie." }, { "author": "Tove", "message": "\"The last man to enter the Second Floor, yes. Though he came much longer after the Guardians,\" She answered with little hesitation. \"He was one of the only few to make it beyond the wall.\"\n\nShe spoke as though to expound, concise and clear, yet also like one who reminisced. With her dull-grey eyes that were made only more dull by the shadow of her hair, the keeper of the tavern kept a long stare on the visitor of the tavern opposite herself, her arms folded and her head tilted down so that her eyes had to be raised slightly to meet his gaze. Her voice was flat, monotone, and as dull-grey as her hair and eye. But now, the curl of her brow and the glint of her eyes demonstrated, for perhaps the first time, a vestige of emotion — a sense of wonder as she recollected, and a sense of genuine interest in the topic. \n\n\"More impressively, he was of the only two people to make it beyond the gate of the Second Floor—oaths-be-damned, he made it beyond that gate. Almost a day of reckoning for the people of the village,\" She said, grinning lightly. \"After all, we met him first. I Met him first. Those in the noble chateaus didn't have a clue.\"\n\n\"The news didn't spread quickly. But eventually we learned of his feat through a rather roundabout way.\"\n\"Before Tvoktei took it upon himself to isolate the Second Floor, we had a rare encounter with a diplomat from the Third Floor. He came with word that an inquisitor of the Arue Had made his descent to the Astrolabe several months prior in search of the man who had bypassed the Second Floor's gate.\"\n_ _\n\n\"Most thought him dead, and thought the Floor better for it,\" She averted her gaze, \"And I believed him a dead man, too.\"\n\"But when we heard he had defied all Tvoktei's men, and the Lunar Harem, and all the nobility so despised, we shared a moment of respect. And for some, regret, also, for how they let him be treated. There is really nothing more unifying here than hatred for nobility.\"\n\"An odd stranger, really. He was an omen, even in the end. Perhaps a good omen, perhaps bad. Perhaps he was supposed to bring change to the Floor, perhaps he simply came to fulfill his own desires. All in the same, he wanted to keep moving forward. And so he did.\"\n\nThen in her conclusion, she again lowered her gaze, and with her arms folded, leaned her weight back against the wall, slack in her posture and placid in countenance. Still, she spoke, with lowered eyes:\n\n\"I wonder if it's that same common desire that continues brings people here,\" She mused. \"A desire to keep moving forward. To keep moving Up.\"\n\"Maybe it's not for those of this little village to know that desire. In the end, this village is only the little tarry along the road.\"\n\"Right... Again —\"\n\"— what is it that you plan to do?\"" }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Abstral was a bit surprised that Tove let him dodge the question with yet another of his own, yet continued to listen intently as she answered it. Speaking of the last man to enter this \"Second Floor\", that he was one of two to make it beyond its gates, and was then presumed dead by the folk who were both in awe and mourning of him. She spoke of terms to do with this Floor, both familiar and unfamiliar to his ears. That there was a Third Floor didn't surprise him, this place did look deceptively small from the outside only to Greatly Open up on the inside.\n\nBut then, ah yes, she Hadn't Let him dodge the question after all, as she had asked him again.\n\nAbstral had decided he had dwelled here long enough, all the information Tove gave him, while insightful, was hardly all that useful to his task of finding the other bounty hunters who arrived with them on this floor.\n\nHe wondered how the bandit, Kuouo, and the Knight, Taash, in their endeavors. He should be going now, so that he too could be useful to their quest.\n\n`` \"Well,\"`` He began, \n\n`` \"I suppose I too shall \"Move forward\" At last. I mean not to burden you any longer nor draw to you any unwanted attention. I am, after all, a stranger who had wandered upon your doorstep. Of my path forward, you need not concern over my fate, either I shall meet my end or I won't. Thank you for your patience with answering my numerous questions and for your words of warnings and insight, but I shall take my leave now. Farewell. \" ``\n\nHe would carefully put up the hood of his robes and turn back towards the doorway. He would not walk slowly but he would not leave quickly either, in the case that Tove had parting words for him." } ]	460	6,962
251.44186	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "Church town Was once one of the nicer areas in Coventry, when the Future Foundation was laying out plans for the island they had initially forgotten to correctly zone for places of worship, so they decided to choose a far corner where no construction had started and shove them all together, the close proximity of so many temples created an uneasy neutral zone for the city's gangs and in the entire time the city was populated only 6 violent incidents ever occurred, the second most peaceful neighbourhood on the island had a total of 126.\n\nIn the centre of the neighbourhood sat a public park- a rare sight in Coventry, in the middle was a quaint little 50's styled diner overlooked to the east by Saint Drogo's Roman Catholic Church, and to the west by Church town Protestant Church, once a common place for rival gangers to meet in truce now it sits derelict with shattered windows and a battered rusting metal façade, the inside piled with dirt. Leaves and stagnant puddles of water.\nThe evening was dreary but calm, the sky was covered in a light cloud cover, some early stars had begun to appear and the moon had risen, though obscured by clouds that left it as a faint pale glow. The sun had already disappeared behind the skyline, but a faint orange glow still crept down the streets and the slight breeze caused fallen leaves to dance along the sidewalk.\nIt would be an almost idyllic scene in any other city but Balfour was abandoned, lifeless, there were not even rats to scurry along the streets anymore, or pigeons and crows to fly overhead, it was entirely silent and still, foreboding.\n\nA lone man sat in the corner booth of the diner with his legs crossed on the table drinking coffee. He was middle aged with a healthy dose of grey creeping its way into his slicked black hair, his eyes glowed a golden hue and he bore a nasty burn scar that ran down down his chin and disappeared into the neckline of his pristine white shirt.\nIn his hand he fidgeted with a golden watch, although curiously its hands did not move, instead he had a nice, formal wristwatch with which he used to check the time, after all the scheduled time was Quickly approaching." }, { "author": "Axel Rodgers", "message": "What a mess this place was. Axel warily made his way through the derelict city, towards a meeting point given to him by a contact associated with the O.S.A. The scenery was nice, despite the obvious downside of the ruined buildings and ghost town-like streets. The sight of so many places of worship nagged at him in a strange way, causing him to stray his eyes elsewhere as he passed them.\n\nUp ahead, a small diner, styled as though it were the 50s, sat between two more large churches. It matched the description of the meeting point, so Axel started making his way over. He noticed through the window a man sitting at a booth, situated in the far corner of the diner. The man had an interesting appearance, with dark, slick hair, a fair bit of aged gray cutting through it, and a professional looking getup. A scar adorned his face, adding an extra layer of... Urgency to his appearance.\n\nAxel assumed this was their contact, so he shuffled into the diner and started walking towards the booth. He was anxious to hear more about this odd job, the reason he was here in the first place, the quote unquote, \"Decommissioning\" Of a mercenary outpost in the city. Axel wasn't sure what to expect, but since he knew there'd be a fair bit of violence involved, he was sold pretty easily." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His one white eye would look around from under his cold metal mask as he walked down the street, his twin chains wrapped around his arms for defensive purposes. It had been a hot minute since he's seen a place so empty, well a place that wasn't a forest he inhabited at least he tapped the right side of his head where his other eye light was still out. He then let out a sigh as he kept walking towards his destination.\n\n`\"If I see a single person I don't like I'm going to tear them to shreds when I get the chance.\"`\n\"And I told you we specifically WOULDN'T try and hurt anyone we're supposed to work with.\"\n\nHe arrived at the location he was looking for, a diner. His he then walked inside and saw the other two people near a booth.\n\n`Just stay quiet while I do this. Stan, maybe we'll get ourselves something good to eat after this.`\n\nHe walked over to them and stayed completely silent, his eye would shine as he stared at the two men and waited for either one to speak." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "When it came down to it, Gryphon rarely ever showed up early for something. Especially when scheduled to an exact time, she would arrive precisely when planned to. Not earlier, and Certainly Not later. As such, she hadn't reached the diner yet. She had reached the town, however.\n\nPlaces of worship... Churches, they were called here. Well- not all of them were. But many of these certainly fit the description of the term. Even just in passing her eye analyzed them, passing over structure and worn history in moments as her `keen` senses took in her surroundings. They were- different, from where she had come from. Then again, Worship Worked differently here. Rarely was it that they praised living people with such structures- these were temples to ideas. People that may have existed but... That exist no longer. Or at least, that could be found no longer. This idle analysis hardly slowed her planned pace, of course- she still aimed to arrive right on time.\n\nThe lack of any life certainly was unusual, for such a place. But she wasn't particularly bothered by it. Places became uninhabitable, here or anywhere else. Be it natural, magical... Or artificial, any place could be made barren of life in time. This place was no exception to the rule.\n\nHer gaze passed over the diner, visible in the near distance. She was on time. Perfectly on schedule." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Her surroundings were anything but pleasant. \n\nSince coming through that wormhole she had seen all manner of towns, villages, and cities, all with their own aesthetical styles.\n\nBut nowhere that looked as dreary and eerie as this, barely any people or life to be seen.\n\nThe sky above at least seemed pleasant, almost as though it didn't belong in such a place like this.\n\nFloriama had commented something snippy about the city in her head and Lily would roll her eyes before pressing onward.\n\nShe had managed to wrangle information to do with this city and some \"Sons of Balfour\" Group within it while she was in Sanctum Mesa a week or so prior, and so had come here to this guarded city seeking, as ere she was to do, to help in whatever way she could.\n\nPerhaps it would be worth her while to stay here in this city after it was done, maybe assist this \"PAF\" Furthermore. Either way those thoughts were to be saved for later.\n\nAd so it was that she arrived at the Coventry district of Balfour and to the diner where she was to meet for this task with those who would tell her more. \n\nThe diner seemed decent enough in such a decrepit place. \n\nSpotting a group already forming, she walked inside to join them.\n\nAt no one and everyone, she spoke kindly, even if she was a bit at unease.\n\n```\n\"Hello everyone! Lily Halloran, I'm here to help with the... \"Assault\" As it were. \"\n\n```\n\nStupid, stupid, these people probably didn't go in for niceties, I mean look at them, she thought to herself immediately after.\n\nSizing herself up a bit more and clearing her throat, she focused her attention on the man in the corner booth, presumably the one they were here to see and get information from.\n\n```\n\"I assume you are the one we have all gathered to see? Make it quick with the information, pal.\" \n\n```\nShe spoke, trying to sound intimidating, she uhhh had her doubts it was effective." }, { "author": "Cicada", "message": "They had ended up wandering into what seemed to be a public park that looked better than the streets they had just come from. \n\n\nCicada sighed and looked around more, thinking that all the churches in the area were a bit much (clearly proving somebody didn't read the town sign). But Cicada had decided it would be best to get to the location as fast as they could. The eerie silence was taking its toll on Cicada, making the wanderer concerned about their surroundings. Nothing ever good happens when the town is silent. \n\n\nCicada had figured out the destination was the diner in the middle of the park which they had just started heading over to. Upon entering the diner, they had taken off their beanie to try and set things in a formal tone almost, despite not being the most formal person ever due to being dressed in simple casual clothes. However, they had looked around the diner for a quick second and spotted a crowd starting to form around one of the tables in the back and Cicada figured that this was the group that they would be working with on this job.\n\n\nBut one thing had stuck out in Cicada's mind, the phrase \"Perfectly behind schedule\", with a small smirk appearing on their face before approaching the table." }, { "author": "Jusur", "message": "A shattered city full with broken waysides. Fragmented heights stood tall over a fragmented land, each splintered concrete rooftop like the pinnacle of a single, stony mountain, and each overseeing a similarly-splintered, similarly-stony land. Though the sun was setting and the stars had already begun to sparkle to alife amidst the emergence of twilight, one could, from this towering height, still see the sun sinking below the horizon line. It was the same sight one could find after a midday of climbing, two days'-worth of hiking, and a fortnight's march south from the seapost. It was as timeless as it was familiar: the natural beauty of the world, seen from the eyes of an eagle.\n\nThe beauty of the world, seen from the eyes of an Adventurer.\n\n\"Mm-mm..~♫\"\n\nA small grin upon his face, and a melody passing quietly under his breath, the lad stood upon what seemed the precipice of the world, at the time, his feet almost weightlessly rested against a jagged metal rod protruding from an old radio-tower, extended off and bent crooked over the rooftop of a tall building. His thumb crept up along the side of his face as he tugged lightly upon his cloth visor, a single iris of brilliant gold peering far into the city beyond. The broken nature of the Balfour Did little to put off the adventure; it and all its foreboding were merely one amidst many of its peculiar, endearing traits that drove him to explore it further.\n\n\"Where was I supposed to be going, again...?\"\n\nHis foot dangled over the edge, a treacherous fall beneath. The visor slipped back under his brow, as the lad reached to withdraw a small piece of paper, which was tucked within a pocket located shortly under the convex of his breastplate. The wrinkled thing's text was hardly readable, its ink only further smudging along his fingertips as he attempted to re-angle it for better reading.\n_ _\n\n\"...Mm-mm...\"\n\"Oh well! I'll find my way.\"\n\nHis head tilted forward, and, along with it, the whole of his upper body, as he hurled his body headlong into a freefall.\n\n`— —`\n\nIt was only fifteen minutes later — and following some time after the rest had already arrived — that the image of the young lad came into sight: a blonde-haired, short, youthly-seeming lad, a crimson-red halfcape shrouding his left arm, and a blindfold-like visor covering his eyes, its semi-opaque cloth weave emblazoned with the image of the `Three Eyes.` A chain jangling from his hip, the adventurer arrived upon the precipice of the diner.\n\n\"This ought to be it, right?\"" }, { "author": "052", "message": "As everyone gathered, the mysterious stranger payed them little mind. He acknowledged their presence but before he could address them, he first had to finish his coffee.\nHe took a swig, allowed it to settle for a moment, then took another, and another, until finally he reached the bottom of the cup.\n\n```\n \"Aaah.\"\n```\nHe set the cup on the table with a loud `THUNK`, cracked his knuckles and checked his watch, it ticked over to the next minute right on schedule, perfectly timed, perfectly calculated.\nHe placed his feet flat on the floor, and rested his elbows on the table.\nHis gaze drifted across each of them, those glowing golden irises with a thick dark spot in the middle looked almost like two gleaming halos that seemed to poke and prod at the very essence of their being, figuratively or literally, it was not clear.\nHe leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms, and smiled.\n\n```\n \"Pleasure to meet you, you can call me 52, please, take a seat.\"\n```\nHe motioned to the empty seats surrounding the booth, there was just enough space for the 5 who had gathered to sit, unfortunately Mythos, who had gung back would have to stand.\nAs he waited for everyone to take their seats he lifted his jacket, which had been lain across the table, and drew a small brown folder from within, placing it in the centre of the table.\nHe took the golden pocket watch which he had been turning over in his hand and `CLICK` he pressed down the button on top.\n`TICK TOCK TICK TOCK` \nIt began to tick, just as the watch on his wrist froze.\nOf course that wasn't all, everything froze, except for them, it was an uncanny feeling, the wind stopped blowing, background noise ceased, and when they moved they could feel the weight of the air around them.\n\n```\n \"You know in some countries, it is customary to wait 5 minutes after a scheduled time, to allow people leway in their punctuality, in North America you are expected to arrive 5 minutes early, in some countries it is even\n\nMore extreme, but i prefer my punctuality, perfect.\"\n```\nHe smiled." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Lily would sit, wary of those around her but she had still come here, after all.\n\nThe man who introduced himself as \"52\"... (was that some sort of \"Codename\", who names themselves a number?) seemed fine enough despite what his outward appearance may have indicated.\n\nThe man in the metal mask offset her a bit with his seeming gruffness and demeanor, but he was what she expected of a mercenary, she supposed.\n\nThe others who entered seemed... Innocent enough. Maybe that should have unsettled her given where she was but it was in some way comforting.\n\nHow she wished for some tea to calm her nerves, but sadly she had no money to buy some and she doubted this diner had any, somehow.\n\nShe waited for 52 to speak." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Her schedule dictated times as exact. Some places might say punctuality comes before a time- or on a time, or after a time. Somewhere around where you Say You will arrive. She always arrived at that time precisely. Her schedules- the way she went through life- would fall apart if based on Estimates.\n\nAs such, she would step into the diner just the moment the stopwatch's button was pressed. Her body naturally tensed against the altered flow of time- or at least... Perceived alteration. Were both her eyes in working order, she could have actually said whether or not this was- magic. Chronomancy. But, injured as she was, she simply had to assume. She hated having to assume.\n\nShe had missed the stranger's introduction, but could tell from the way the people in the diner were arranged that they were their 'contact'. The one leading them on this mission. This was- far more people than she'd been expecting. None of them had a presence she could really consider 'trustworthy'. But all the same, she moved to stand behind the seated others in the diner, eye fixed on 52. Waiting quietly for their briefing, of sorts." }, { "author": "Jusur", "message": "The youthly man's eyes passed beneath his visor to scan across each of the individuals scattered throughout the diner, subtle-gold glimmering beyond the opacity of the crimson-cloth visor that covered his eyes. It seemed that every day that he lived within this universe — this cosmos, so peculiar and distant from his home — something new emerged before his eyes: a type of magic once unseen, a species of creature he yet did not know of, a scientific phenomena that eluded the \"Science\" It was classified beneath. Each of the people here, stood in the lobby of the diner, seemed a testimony to that ever-growing base of knowledge and newness that defined the strange world that the adventurer now lived in — that notion of intrigue brought some joy to his face, a small grin appearing on his face with the emergence his two characteristic foxlike canines.\n\nJusur placed a hand on his hip as he leaned further in to the booth, seating himself with a sense of haste opposite the scarred man. Though hidden behind his visor, the gaze of his eyes could be felt clearly, peering toward the golden watch.\n\n\"Hey, hey — say, mister\" The lad spoke up, an intrigued grin upon his face, \"What is that?\n\"That device you've got.\"\n\nChildlike curiosity was the image that the blonde-haired adventurer exuded, and similarly-childish was the peculiar and flashy \"Adventurer's garb\" That he donned, his cape pulling taut at his side as he leaned in. All what speech the scarred man made of punctuation — and even his own name — seemed to pass in one of the lad's ears, then straight out the other." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Lily's attention split between the man and the spread-out photos as he spoke and detailed the plan:\n\nGet into the facility as unseen as possible, get any useful information, and retrieve the gray-skinned guy. \n\nIt all seemed... A lot more than what she bargained for, and a pit dropped in her stomach as the plan was laid out, but she Had Shown up, so too late to back out now.\n\nPlus, if it helped these guys, the PAF, in restoring this place, who was she to object?\n\nAs the man prompted them for questions, Lily would speak up.\n\n```\n\"You wouldn't have any, I believe you call them, \"Floor plans\" For the library, would you? Might help if we can see the internals of the building and can sneak around as much as possible. \n\nIf there's vantage points, I have ways to ensnare anyone we may come across without the alarm being raised.\"\n\n```\n\nShe'd remark, a sly smile despite herself accompanying a flicker of a vine in her left hand before it then vanished into green smoke.\n\nIf it was sneaking around in the shadows they needed, she could do that.\n\nShe hoped, at least." }, { "author": "Axel Rodgers", "message": "Axel watched carefully and keenly as every member of the group entered, some introducing themselves. Lily Halloran... That sounded familiar. After a moment of thought, he realized this was the same woman with whom Daniel had fought in the duels hosted at the Festival. Axel had, of course, been nearby, able to watch and listen to their duel. He had to admit, he had respect for how much of his ass she kicked, even if he won in the long run. He figured she could be a useful companion.\n\nAs for the others, what caught his eye the most was the striking metal mask on the face of a large individual off to the side. What caught him even more off guard was the comment he made about eating cadavers, but he brushed it off. Everyone survives in their own way. He narrowed his eyes upon his addressing of Lily. Odd. Another of the people caught his eye - A youthful, dare he say jovial fellow, seemingly just as interested in engineering as Axel himself was. Finally, his eyes trailed to Gryphon, who had arrived at the scheduled time on the dot. Punctuality was a thing he could respect.\n\nAxel himself, though, wasn't particularly interested in giving an introduction, though his outfit seemed to match his demeanor - Hostile and gruff. He wore jeans that were torn open at the knees and a dirty button-down under a faded and ripped grey jean jacket. On his feet were a pair of muddy tactical boots, and on his hands a pair of maroon red shooting gloves. A pair of goggles with piercing red lenses sat on his eyes, his long, wavy brown hair hanging over them, along with a black bandana tied snugly around his face. Last but not least, over his shoulder hung a large compound bow, complete with a quiver of arrows on his back and a skinning knife on his waist. His weapons would certainly be useful for the stealth aspect of this mission, so if they needed anyone taken out silently, he was ready.\n\nHe listened to their contact make his introduction and describe their mission, noting each bit of intel as he heard it. Public library, distillery, sneak in, grab some data and a target, destroy the facility, get out. And probably kill a lot of people along the way." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "In addition to her unease from the mission statement and the prior unease she felt around him, the masked man's comment about eating people did very well to horrify her and do the opposite of her gaining a good impression of him.\n\nAnd then he turned to her directly, addressing her, asking for her name.\n\n```\n\"O-oh? My name? My apologies, I must have not spoken it loud enough before amidst all the arrivals. It's Lily, Lily Halloran.\n\n```\n\nShe couldn't keep the unease out of her voice, but she figured even to this man, she should Try To be polite.\n\n```\n\n\"And, uh, what about you?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Cicada", "message": "Lily Halloran and Max Bracken. Two names that were definitely familiar to Cicada. \n\n\n`Wait, those are the two from the duels! Of course, I remember where those two names came from and, if I remember correctly, Lily was the person who had to fight Daniel before I did. At least this job has some people that I somewhat know, but I'll have to keep a close eye on Max because if whatever happened to him before that duel against Sofja happens again or if that 'thing' were to ever come out during this mission, it would spell disaster for most of us.` \n\n\nCicada moved the goggles on their head to try and block out any hair that would fall over their eyes when attempting to get a good look at these photos. They had been really intrigued by the fact that this was going to be a stealth mission, something they had trained and excelled in, but they also had kept some of their focus on the photo of the man that 52 had shown to this ragtag crew of \"Mercenaries\". \n\n\nAfter close inspection of the photos, Cicada had formed a question of their own in their head. Turning to look at 52, Cicada decided to ask a question. \n```\n\"How many people would you guess are normally on site at this place?\"\n```" }, { "author": "052", "message": "The man smirked at the question about a floor plan, like it was the sort of question where the answer was so obvious that only a complete amateur would ask it.\nHe scratched his jaw for a moment, closed his eyes, chuckled silently to himself, then responded.\n\n```\n \"Unfortunately the Balfour Records Office ceased to exsist 10 years ago and is probably currently host \nTo a large tree and a small river.\"\n```\nHe paused for a brief moment at the next question though his face portrayed no emotion, he leaned back, cupping the pocket watch between his hands.\n\n```\n \"As far as how you get the mission done and what you do to those people I dont care and I don't\n really want to know.\"\n```\nHis eyes drifted across everyone present as he spoke, simultaneously staring at them and straight through them, with those glowing golden eyes in a manner that was slightly unnerving.\nHe shrugged, leaning forward again with his elbows on the table, holding the watch in front of his face.\n`TICK TOCK TICK TOCK`\nHe sighed and leant to the side, scratching his jaw.\n\n```\n \"To be entirely honest I can't tell you anything about what goes on inside that building, we didn't\n exactly get a large budget for this operation, otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here.\n Time is running low now, so if you have any last burning questions make it quick, otherwise good luck.\"\n```\nHe retrieved his coat and slipped it on, straightening out the collar and lapels, brushing off dirt and dust from the diner, giving them ample time to make any last queries but making a show of the fact he was about to leave." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Taking off the mask did a little to alleviate her unease around the man, who would introduce himself as Max Bracken, but even if the tone was still very horrifying, the words sounded at least Somewhat Sincere.\n\n```\n\"Well, uh... Just don't go eating mine, heh heh.\"\n\n```\n\nHer attention would then be back on their client as he answered their questions, essentially telling them he had nothing more to tell them.\n\nGreat.\n\nShe would stay silent, having no more questions that'd yield anything but non-answers most likely, and so awaited either for 052 to leave, or for someone else to speak up." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He stared at Lily as she made the comment about not eating her, he almost asked why she would say that but then immediately remembered his appearance.\n\n\"I don't plan on eating my coworkers unless they try and betray me, and yes that is a threat to anyone thinking of doing so.\"\n\nHe then looks at 052 and smiles under his mask, that was probably just Stan's hunger coming into play but he was glad either way.\n\n\"I have nothing more to ask, I'm just glad I'll be able to get a quick bite.\"\n\nStan was basically having a party in Max's head since he was legally allowed to murder these people and eat their corpses, Max was definitely gonna have a lot of money saved after this job if his hunger got the best of him." }, { "author": "Axel Rodgers", "message": "He continued to listen silently to the few of them speaking, though focused on 052 once he continued on with more information.\n\nWell, what little they had. He did say that he didn't care what they did to the people - And Axel wasn't particularly interested in holding back for the sake of appearances. A semblance of a grin crossed his face for a split second before vanishing just as quickly.\n\nHe had no questions to ask, none at all. He was aware of what to do.\n\nHis gaze crossed Lily, who seemed desperate for someone else to say something. If it weren't for his disinterest in speaking in general, he'd have said something, but his blank gaze just wandered back to their eager-to-exit contact. Max's comment did little to phase him, though he noted the threat seemed genuine. Unsettling unstoppable force to an unsettling immovable object." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She had no questions. She'd listened carefully to 52's description of the mission- and.. Far less carefully to the pointless banter of her fellow hires. The threats being broadly waved around were without weight, as far as she was concerned. She'd yet to see any actual action from any of these people- and with just a `keen` glance, none of them seemed to be harboring anything immensely dangerous. But she'd expected as much, for a mission like this. Someone doesn't broadcast out requests like this in order to find the Best Help.\n\nThankfully, even without the best help, this shouldn't be too difficult a mission. It was stealth- at least on her end. Destroying a facility was.. Far less her expertise, so her eye had locked firmly upon their target for extraction. She had what she could glean of his visage committed to memory, and intended to aim for him above all else. She trusted that the other members of the team were versed in things other than finesse and scouting- those would be the ones capable of actually destroying the facility.\n\nAs for her, she just needed to get to someone, and get them out- using whatever assistance she could get from the others around her. She didn't have any questions- she doubted anything 52 could tell her would actually be... Of use. Most of it was information that would be spur-of-the-moment- patrols, abilities... And names were irrelevant. She had her target picked, and she'd express that to the group once they were genuinely discussing strategy. For now, it would be a waste to stand here talking and asking questions. A few hours was only so much time- tight schedules were something she could handle. But... She needed her teammates to be at their best. Not everyone works well in a time crunch." }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "The Church town Public Library was only a few blocks down the road, on an ordinary street. There was no park or plaza, or even a wider sidewalk afforded to the building; it was simply hemmed into the row of buildings and store fronts. The library itself was unremarkable, a 2 story brick and concrete building like the rest of Coventry, the front had a façade of granite pillars meant to imitate more elegant neoclassical architecture that was customary for public service buildings. Up a small set of stairs, or the wheelchair ramp, was a set of boarded up doors and windows on either side, the boards could be easily destroyed or removed, but doing so would draw considerable attention, a surprisingly effective deterrent in a place like this, where the air was still with silent dread.\nA secondary path of entry was available, the second story was smaller than the first and set back a bit leaving a section of roof where one could stand to access the un-boarded windows, provided they could find their way up there in the first place." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "As they arrived at the building, Lily immediately began trying to scout it out.\n\nEntryways boarded up and likely concealing the windows meant revealing themselves.\n\nA full frontal attack was likely not very smart as their enemies would probably be at least somewhat prepared even though this was meant to be a lull in the action.\n\nIt was then she noticed the roof outhang, and it was there she had an idea.\n\n```\n\"The second floor appears to be unboarded, must mean they don't expect anyone to go up that way. Now I can climb, but I don't see any good vantage points. \n\nI can make some though.\" \n\n```\n\nAs she said that last sentence, flickers of green energy briefly emanated from her hands.\n\n```\n\"It Is Impractical though. My method will send you into the air and is sort of violent, you will need some sort of handhold to grab onto afterwards, and it will only get you about 5 feet up at a time, but I can do it multiple times.\n\nI just hope you aren't afraid of being coiled.\"\n\n\n\n```\n\nKeeping to the shadows to do this so as not to be detected, Lily would demonstrate, as two vines sprouted from around her wrists, one end mounting to the ground, and the other tethering itself to her arms still. She'd have them fling her back 5 feet, recovering by rolling.\n\n```\n\"So, um, yeah. Not exactly a great traversal plan, but it is an option.\"\n\n\n```\nShe's say, laughing a bit nervously." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He stared at the building for a second before staring at Lily as she spoke, he then took his mask off and once again stared at the building.\n\n\"I can probably get up there by myself pretty easily, if anyone else needs to get up there I could just carry em.\"\n\nHe put his mask back on and started to look at the chains wrapped around his arms before Stan chimed in for a second.\n\n`\"I hope you know, that if they find out about what you've done. What you are, they'll betray you in the next second. But I don't think that Lily person is to much of a threat, just remember to not trust ANYONE.\"`\n\nMax had already given them a warning but Stan was somewhat right, he didn't know anything about these people besides some of their names. His one good eye started to flicker as he balled up his left fist before raising it and punching the ground.\n\n`I gotta calm down, I already look like I'm about to murder anyone that even looks at me wrong.`\n\nHe took a deep breathe as the eye stopped flickering, his own short temper along with Stan's constant voice might be a problem in the future.\n\n\"Yet I shall remind you once again, if you even LOOK at me the wrong way. I will crush every bone y'all have, and if you need a demonstration. Well, I'm sure you don't.\"\n\nHe stared at the group before going back to his own thoughts." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Her eye's gaze ran across the building smoothly once they arrived. Nothing- out of place, as far as suspicion went. She certainly followed the line of thought as Lily mentioned the second floor overhang... But felt that neither her suggestion nor max's was very subtle. Not that she'd speak such an objection aloud without offering a better plan, for the time being. Though, their time was relatively short. She would need to come up with that 'better plan' sooner rather than later.\n\nHer eyes passed over the building once more, assessing the state of its walls. Lily's first impression seemed to be right, from what she could tell. Any recessions in the brick that could serve as handholds were inconsistent at best- crumbling at worst. Time had weathered away the clean lines of brickwork, and the patterns of concrete were hardly in any better shape to serve as climbing routes. The thought of climbing it with makeshift climbing picks crossed her mind... But quickly was put aside. It was not only unlikely to work given the state of the library's walls, but would hardly be quiet.\n\nIf subtlety truly was their goal...```diff\n+ \"I'd suggest the less risky route. Raising the alarm before we've even entered due to a gamble would practically guarantee our failure.\"\n```\nShe didn't take the time to actually run over the odds of success after they raised the alarm- there were too many unknown factors to accurately pin that down. She could see clearly, certainly, but she was not omniscient. She hadn't brought some of her craftier items- mirrors, mostly. Had she thought to bring them, she would have potentially been able to get a clear view of inside without need of getting a higher vantage point.\n\nBut there was no use dwelling on mistakes of her past self. She should focus on the situation at hand, and the solutions presented therein. Looking ahead, not back." }, { "author": "Axel Rodgers", "message": "Axel noted multiple points of entry on the building as they approached, one likely to draw attention and the other in a hard to reach spot. He was feeling quite agile at this moment, given the adrenaline from the mission. He wasn't scared, but the thrill of the hunt excited him to no end, especially with the approval of their contact that he didn't care what happened to anyone besides the target. Permission to kill.\n\nHe listened carefully to his allies plans, with his stare blank as he scanned the building. Lily's plan would likely add an advantage to the parkour that would be required to reach the unboarded windows, so as not to draw alarm. He could take out anyone inside stealthily as needed, with his compound bow and hunting knife.\n\nThough, he had yet to relay his plan, so it seemed appropriate to do so.\n\n```\n\"I think Lily's plan would likely give me the best advantage in getting to the rooftop. I'm pretty agile, so I think I could handle the boosts. Once I reach the windows, I can get inside and kill whoever I encounter. Silently.\"\n```\n\nHe turned to observe the reactions of his comrades for approval, his vacant yet perceptive glare sweeping across their faces." }, { "author": "Jusur", "message": "The young adventurer's visage remained stagnant for the whole of the conversation following the point of introductions and continued in this stationary manner up until the journey had led them to the end destination of their mission: the library. His thumb slid up along the side of his cheek and picked against the lower edge of the visor that decorated his visage, lightly tugging the elastic cloth such that it lifted from his face, revealing the deep, effulgent-golden glow of the eyes hidden beneath, both sharply honed on the image of the library before him. A small smile came upon his face, full of a subtle anticipation: a sense of excitement that could only be roused within him by the discovery of some new horizon—some new Adventure.\n\n\"Mm-mm,\" He enunciated, his gaze shooting hastily across the surface of the library. Paths along the architecture were drawn within his mind's eye, an imagination of the each path his adventure could and would take forming rapidly, inwardly.\n\nTo be truthful, Jusur did not much care for elaborate plans, nor did he care much for the mission at hand. Though certainly as he had sworn on his honor to perform the mission true and proper he would fulfill his word to do just that, the meticulous elements of a plan — as well as even the surface elements of the mission — were quickly lost within the tides of anticipation that swelled within him. What was not exciting would quickly be lost in the heat of what thrills were soon to come; what was boring quickly faded in the wake of what was exciting. The only thing that held him from immediate action was his innate caution as an adventurer, and the understanding of the weight that a choice at a crossroad held impressed upon him by his mentor.\n_ _\n\n\"A path on high, mm-mm?\" Jusur grinned.\n\"They are often lesser travelled,\" He mused, releasing his visor. The cloth concealed his eyes, and he began to step forward. \"Wayward, full of the unexpected.\"\n\nIt was both advantageous for their mission and favorable to the whims of the lad himself. He would thus waste little time actually setting forward, sanguine mana beginning to flare from his crimson `SOUL` And throughout his body. His `HUBRIS` Made manifest, his body took on greater strength, as he leapt, clearing half the distance to the second story in a single bound. His feet hovered on air as an invisible platform of air coalesced beneath him, allowing him to jump a second time off the very atmosphere itself — clearing the full distance to the second floor in two seemingly-weightless leaps. Without looking back to his companions, Jusur continued forward, seeking to open the window and now, finally, progress into the building itself." }, { "author": "Cicada", "message": "Cicada noted their teammates ideas and plans and had decided to chime in with the others.\n\n\"I like Lily's idea. Getting in from the roof would help, especially if we can keep this mission quiet for long enough to at least lower some of the forces inside.\" Cicada said, wanting to help form the plan. Cicada would have to ask for help with getting themselves up onto the roof as they didn't have anything that could exactly launch themselves up there. However, Cicada heard that Lily might have something that can get the team on top of the roof so they would have to go with that method anyway." }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "As Jusur stepped onto the roof a number of details would become clear that were not visible from the ground, firstly to his immediate left there was a hole in the wall of the neighbouring building, likely acting as a much more convenient way up for those not so magically inclined, but more notably between where he stood and the second story windows that would likely act as their point of ingress was a skylight.\n\nThe skylight was boarded up in many places, and the rest was covered in such a layer of dirt and grime it could hardly be called transparent, luckily however one of the plywood boards that had been used to patch it up had rotted away leaving a hole in the centre, peering through would reveal a modest but wide open room with wooden floors that had begun to rot where the rain got in, a small bucket was placed on the ground below the skylight in a futile attempt to help the issue.\nLittle furniture could be made out, as far as he could tell from the limited field of view afforded by the hole in the skylight the room had been cleared out entirely.\n\nHowever as Jusur passed the skylight, something would catch his ear, the sound of voices, their source was unclear from the limited perspective but someone was certainly home." }, { "author": "Caligo", "message": "```\n\"-Lord forgive you practice the arts!\" \nThe voice rang out, the accent was foreign, but not recognizable to any one place.\n```" }, { "author": "Ogon", "message": "```\n\"Jesus, was it really that bad?\"\nThe second voice responded with concern, their accent was a lot easier to place, it was a mixture of Russian and American, typical among the children of Russian immigrants which were once common in Reiter and Coventry.\n```" }, { "author": "Caligo", "message": "```\n\"Well they gave us an hour and a half of free time before bed\" \nHe let out a chuckle, and the laughs of at least 2 other individuals could be heard.\n```" }, { "author": "Lupin", "message": "```\n\u001b[0;30;46m\"Yeah but if you used it for anythin' but work, prayer or practise you'd be a social pariah from all the more faithful members of the flock.\"\nThe third voice had an accent similar to the first, but his voice was much lower, reverberating like a bass\n```" }, { "author": "Caligo", "message": "```\n\"Well that's all in the past now, say what's it like growin' up in Balfour?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Ogon", "message": "```\nAh it had its ups and downs you know?, organised crime, disorganised crime, it was impossible to avoid the gangs and mobs and all that, everyone had an affiliation, and if you didn't you'd be best to find one else you end up taken and forgotten.\" \n```" }, { "author": "Power", "message": "```\n\"Yeah but the one thing was, you always had someone to lean on, it was you and your crew against the whole rest of the damn city, there was a sense of family and comradery, and i guess that's what we try to keep alive now\" \nThe fourth man spoke and his accent was mild, american, unordinary.\n```" }, { "author": "Caligo", "message": "```\n\"Well I reckon I'm beginning to understand that feeling.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Ogon", "message": "```\n\"Za lyubov!\" \nAll but the third man cheered in response.\n```" }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "Ahead of Jusur the windows to the second story were unguarded, most of them didn't even have glass allowing for anyone to simply step through, on the other side was what appeared to be a study room, with desks and old computers long stripped for their electrical components lining the walls, the floor was littered with dead leaves and strewn mud, what patches of the wood flooring was visible were rotten.\nAt the back end of the room partially obscured in darkness was an elevator and a door to the stairwell.\n\nSorry for takign 3 days i was el busy\n\nBut surely this time everyone will respond in a timely manner to make up for how long it took last time right\n\nAt this point assuming atleast 1 person has progressed i will start skipping" }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Vines would flicker out from her arms and Lily would launch anyone who needed it towards the roof as the vines scaled the wall. She (and whoever would take up the offer) would get to the roof shortly after Jusur did, she would hear the tail-end of whatever conversation the figures inside were having, though it seemed to be pretty much just banter amongst comrades.\n\n```\n\"Seems they are pretty distracted.\"\n\n``` \nShe'd murmur this in a whisper to those nearby.\n\n\n```\n\"So what's the plan from here, any means of us getting inside without attracting attention? I don't have anything in that regard unless our foes are 5 feet below us, and that would make noise.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Axel Rodgers", "message": "After using Lily's vines to scale the building up to the roof, Axel waited for the others to make their way up as well. He leaned over the skylight, narrowing his eyes and peering down inside, scanning the room and making a mental map of what he could see in his head. The voices caught his attention moments later, however it seemed that it was just friendly chit-chat between whoever was inside. They hadn't been noticed yet.\n\nHe tried to gauge where exactly the voices were coming from, slowly unslinging his bow and drawing an arrow back into position before getting low and squinting into the dark room to try and catch a glimpse of the source of the voices. If he could find out how far away the individuals were, he could hang from the intact wood covering the outside of the skylight, and drop in relatively silently; (this depends on how far down the floor is, just lmk if this is realistic).\n\nAxel cleared his throat, before stating his plan to the others.\n\n```\n\"I think I could hit whoever I see from the skylight with my bow and drop in to take the rest out with my knife. That way the floor is clear for you guys to come in, and then it should be easier to stay quiet from there. Up to you.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She followed behind on Lily's vines, keeping to the back of the group. She ideally wanted to scout ahead but- she had hesitated. Pushing her way to the front now would most likely cause some conflict... Conflict they didn't have time to resolve, in their current situation. Once they figured out a way in she'd take her mark properly. But for now, she simply set to looking into whatever windows she could- while being somewhat subtle, at least. She stayed low while she waited for someone to make a move on entry. If nobody did, she would have to try her hand herself... But she'd rather not be the first person caught in that regard. For now, patience was best." }, { "author": "Jusur", "message": "The golden-haired adventurer was taking this mission entirely at his own pace. When Lily and the rest had arrived, the lad was already half-way to the study, taking to the investigation of his the building's decrepit inner structure — the wood-rotted boards and derelict walls, the mud, moisture, decaying vegetation, dirt and grime all — having stepped in through one of the glassless windows of the library's second floor. His cheery disposition toward exploring the place was maintained despite its wholly unpleasant appearance, humming lightly under his breath as the chain of his grapple dangled faintly at his side. Pushing forward brazenly without regard for the noise of the voices that surrounded him, he hardly seemed the type suited for stealth; it was a very fortunate thing that, at the very least, his footfalls were silent as a feather.\n\n\"Hmm...\"\nHe flourished his half-cape, the cloth fluttering upward as he caught it two-thirds of the way up its length, crimping the cloth in his fist and folding it about to the length of his elbow. What once was hidden beneath its crimson length was now revealed: a large mace—Élan, His trusted weapon and tool. He did not want to muddy his cape, and so pulled its length to fasten it to his upper arm. The words and planning of his temporary companions passed entirely through his ears even during his brief pause, and he continued forward as though he had not heard them at all.\n_ _\n\n`Two paths downward...`\nJusur grinned. He would inevitably descend down the stairway, but would first perform a small bit of scouting; he never liked leaving any path unventured. He was curious how many floors this building held and wanted to check ahead of time, especially considering how little he had seen already: an evidently unoccupied second story, a wide and completely empty room below... So far, it seemed quite barren for what Jusur had surmised to be a significant operation. At least, as he Could Surmise with what patchy information he had scarcely paid attention to.\n\nWhat was it, again...? Distilled mana And a Priority target, Or something of the like...\n\nTo confirm or dismiss his suspicions, he would first visit the elevator. Using it was in no part his intention — he just wanted to confirm how deep the elevator shaft went. As far as he knew from what he had learned about the modern era, they often spanned the entire height and depth of a building, even travelling far underground at times. Not bothering to press the elevator call button — if there even Was One — he would attempt to pry the elevator door open with his bare hands, the might of his `HUBRIS` Flaring as he briefly took on superhuman strength. So it would be if it opened and the car was on the floor he was on, he would make a superficial check of the number of floors by confirming the number of its floor-selection buttons, then would climb through its service hatch and take a peek down. If it hadn't one, that would make things much simpler: All he was attempting to determine is if the building had a basement by gauging the depth of the elevator shaft.\n_ _\n\nRegardless of what he discovered or failed to discover by reason of the elevator door not budging, Jusur would descend the stairwell next. Despite his carefree behavior, he was making a small effort to kept his pride and caution equalized — though he seemed to be thoroughly ignoring the rest of his teammates, he was making keeping their better interests in mind. Descending boldly through the elevator so early on would probably get them caught quickly." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "I told myself i would make a short post" } ]	245	10,812
491.363636	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`The interior is completely dark, with nothing but the slight glow of the lantern by the window to illuminate the area directly surrounding the door.`\n\n`It's dark, quiet, and the structure within is a labyrinth of hallways and small rooms with vague and undefined furnishings, shrouded in the dark.`\n\n`What an odd structure... It's as if someone designed it to be difficult to traverse.`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "The blue fire held in Kuo's palm pushed through the darkness and reveals the maze-like interior within Sheto's abode. Confused on where he should go next, Kuo decides to keep following Taarei's advice for shits-and-giggles and hang right through the hallways, all while calling Sheto's name.\n\n```fix\n\"Eyo Sheto! It's Kuouo, ya know, the guy ya met at the bar? Are ya here? I'd like t' talk to you if possible man.\"```\n\nThe bandit inspects each door he passes by, frowning as each one he opened contained insignificant knick-knacks with no sign of Sheto being around any of them. It certainly reminded him of,\n\n```fix\n\"The fucking ROADS. Dude no offense but your house is built like the lamest fucking corn maze-\"```" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "`\"...\"`\n\nThere is no response.\n\nThe interior of the home remains quiet, deathly quiet, as Kuouo progresses through, round-and-round, its mazelike structure. Even as he yelled through the house, he would hear no response, and instead would be met with only the sound of the draft passing alongside the exterior of the dim-lit labyrinthine 'home'. Progression further and farther through its strange form, however, would lead him to eventually begin hearing Something, At least.\n\n`CLING`\n`CLANG...`\n`CLATTER.`\n\n`TINK TINK...`\n\n`TINK...`\n`CLIC`\n\n`CLATTER...`\n\nThe sound of glass vessels clattering against eachother, as if someone was working with several-dozen of them, at once. It's distant, yet he can hear it quite clearly; though, the one who likely was working on it Should have Still been within a relative distance of Kuouo to hear him when he initially yelled through the house. Perhaps something was muffling the noise he made... Or, perhaps, the worker of the glass vessels was simply too preoccupied to hear him.\n\nNonetheless, continuing through the pitch-black and terribly-designed interior of the household, Kuouo would, inevitably, through sheer brute force of probability, locate the correct entry through into what was an Actual, Lit room. A slight light peered from beyond one of the halls, and as he traversed it, it would open up into a room, with the figure of a Person — Sheto, clearly —, back faced to the bandit, Working with several instruments and glass vessels filled to the brim with liquids, fruits(? They looked like fruits, but could honestly be some sort of exotic flora from within the Vektet), And grain." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"...\"```\n\nWhile the man was recognizable from the profile of his back, alone, his head was entirely obscured. A strange, visor-like apparatus encompassed the entirety of his head, fitted with adjustable ocular lenses and several, small, runebound tablets of stone that glimmered with the faint traces of magical enchantment on their surface. \n\nDeeply entrenched in his work, it would now become clear to Kuouo why the man gave no response to his yelling, earlier — the strange visor-like apparatus about his face and ears was likely blocking all forms of external, auditory interferences from interrupting his processes. Anything short of a tap on his shoulder would likely do little to alert him of Kuouo's presence." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Goddamn this place is built like somethin' you'd explore inna dream-\"```\n\nFinally, after navigating the maze-like house, the clinking of glass vessels faintly echoed through the corridor. His ears twitch, the sensory aid now giving him a path to travel down in search of the alchemist. ``'A lot better than checkin' every room I walk by. Damn.'`` It wasn't long before he spotted light leaking from the rooms out into the corridor. The bandit, careful enough to not make his presense Alarming, lightly pushed through the door with his open hand to see the alchemist deep in his experimentation. \n\n```fix\n\"Yo Sheto, I've been lookin' for ya...\"```\n\nKuouo waited for a response, only to be met with a complete lack of a response. He raised an eyebrow, walking up behind Sheto and inspecting the helmet he had on — More importantly, the ingredients on the table. In all honesty, the bandit salivated a little, tempted to eat one of the foreign fruits to settle his growling stomach. He bites his bottom lip, opting not to mess with Sheto's experiment and instead bother Sheto himself.\n\nTap, tap, tap...\n\nKuo quickly stepped back, not wanting to endure any attacks from Sheto getting suddenly surprised. Once Sheto turned around, the bandit waved his index and middle fingers up as a casual greeting.\n\n```fix\n\"Yo.\"```" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "Thoroughly engaged by his study on the several organic substances drowned in some sort of strange liquid, the man continued in ignorance of the bandit's presence, even after he had pushed fully into the room and began to approach close. It seemed that he, indeed, had an epiphany in the moment that Kuouo spoke of Fermenting grains — he was quite hard at work, jotting down measurements, setting strange, sand-based timers, and carefully viewing the internal contents of each glassen vessel with the optics that extended from his helmet. A familiar blue glow — the same likes that Kuouo had seen come from his normal glasses — illumined the liquid, and it seemed as though the man was carefully analyzing its fundamental contents, his hands working in coordination to mark down his findings.\n\nHard at work, indeed. And such focus, once broken, would certainly come with great alarm.\n\nThe man's hand had found itself about one of the vessels to lift it, up until the moment Kuouo tapped him on the shoulder, after which came a—\n\n_ _\n\n```diff\n- 𝚂𝙷𝙰𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁 -```\n\n—he crushed it instantaneously in the palm of his hand, shards of glass embedding into his skin, as small quantities of crimson precariously dripped from his hand across the table upon which he experimented. Shattered shards of glass in his hand, he swiftly turned to view the one behind him — though he was obstructed by the arrangement of the optics on his visor — wielding a single, jagged fragment of the shattered glass as a makeshift weapon, turning to view the one who had interrupted him with violent intent. He had just begun to take a swing, before he calmed himself in an instant, stopping his violent, overhead motion as he caught a more focused gaze of the person before him through his visor.\n\n`Clk, clk`\n`Clic... K...`\n\nThe man briefly adjusted his helmet-like visor, and the optics recede from his direct line-of-sight. He stared at Kuouo, and after a sufficient pause to process the circumstances, Sheto gave a comment.\n\n```cpp\n\"It's you again.\"```\n\nHe spoke nonchalant of both his wounds and the fact that he was moments from swinging a reckless stab towards Kuouo's throat. His eyes were squinted, and his brow was furrowed with such intensity that one would immediately assume he was mad... Yet, that was just Sheto's way of Looking at people, in general. Sheto, in all honesty, was not infuriated in the slightest... Simply surprised.\n\nThe man unclasped the jagged, edgy blades of glass in his hand, and slowly released them atop the table, not so much as flinching as blood continued to seep from his wounded hand.\n_ _\n\n```cpp\n\"Ought to get this disinfected.\"```\n\nHe stared, indifferent at the gashes and small cuts across his left hand.\n\n`Clk. Chk.`\n`Clic... K... Clk. Clk.`\n*`CHK`\n\nHe adjusted his visor once more, adjusting several gauges and undoing a few straps, as the entire mechanism slid off his face and head, now resting around his neck. Reaching about the testing-table for his glasses, he plucked their thin-framed form with his unbloodied hand, and rested them atop his face once again. Faced away again from Kuouo, the man began to tidy up his workspace, leaving him unacknowledged for quite the long moment, before finally speaking up:\n\n```cpp\n\"What is it that you want?\"\n\"I don't recall making you an invitation.\"```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo winced, a light ``'ooh'`` coming after inhaling through his teeth as blood rolled down the alchemist's forearm. It was only through Sheto's violent body language that caused Kuo to instinctively reach for his dagger. Luckily for the both of them, they halted their blades as soon as the situation became more clear.\n\n```fix\n\"Yeah, yeah. It's jus' me...\"```\n\nKuouo exhaled a sigh of relief, his left paw withdrawing from his dagger's and dropping down to the side. Sheto's expression Looked* Immensely angry... But his body language and demeanor were anything but. It was only then that the bandit recalled that it was the same glance he had received when Sheto was serving drinks back at The Merrymens'. \n\n```fix\n\"Didn't mean t' surprise ya like that, sorry man. Not that it woulda stopped me, but yer front door happens t' be unlocked. Ya came at me prepared t' fight for your life so, jus' thought ya might wanna know that.\"```\n\n. . .\n\nIt'd take a while for Sheto to respond — and Kuo understood. It'd be better to approach Sheto with the proposition after he got himself re-organized anyways. So Kuouo waited, tapping his foot and crossing his arms while waiting. He fixes his glasses upon his face and finally speaks.\n\n```fix\n\"I'll keep it short and sweet. I came here t' talk to you about the blue root. That slug doctor said that you used t' be some kinda great alchemist and that you'd be able to help with makin' a cure for those branded with it. The doc's already tried, but it seems like he's at a road block right now and he just needs somethin' great to push through that barrier, ya know?\"```" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "Sheto adjusted his glasses, slowly pacing about the interior of his labyrinthine workshop to acquire a crystal-clear solution, which he would swiftly dunk a clean cloth into, before liberally patting down his wound with the wetted cloth, soaking up the blood and coating it in what appeared to be an antibiotic. Despite the relative lack of technology within the Vektet, their medicinal sciences seemed to be a tremendous distance beyond what would typically be expected of such an otherwise undeveloped civilization. Understanding of infections, microbes, and how to cleanse said microbes, had been firmly established — and if even the Exiles Knew such things, certainly those beyond the First Floor must know even more on the subject.\n\nAfter performing some rudimentary disinfecting, the man removed several of the shards of glass embedded into his skin, continuing to pat down the freshly-revealed, wounded tissue with the strange solution. Certainly, it appeared painful, but Sheto didn't seem to mind a bit. Perhaps he had established an incredible tolerance for pain... Perhaps it was just the byproduct of being exiled for so long.\n\n```cpp\n\"Unlocked. You are correct about that.\"\n\"Unlocked doors aren't always invitations, though.\"```\n_ _\n\nThe man replied, almost dismissively to Kuouo, yet his tone was not wholly intended to chide his action of intruding on his property, as he would soon clarify.\n\n```cpp\n\"I am not very well disposed towards visitors.\"\n\"But I'm also not negatively disposed towards them. So long as they aren't for my head.\"```\n\nSheto spoke. That was, likely, the closest thing he could muster to a welcoming statement. He didn't seem either particularly pleased nor displeased with Kuouo's presence, and, judging by that statement, it was probably an O.K Signal for him to continue staying. As for why he initially acted so violently, the answer to such a question could be found in the latter half of his statement — it seemed that Sheto was quite familiar with those who were after his life, for one reason or another.\n\nFinally turning to view the one to whom he spoke, Sheto's attention seemed to be piqued by Kuouo's statement, his sharp, scowl-like expression once again displayed openly. Taking a step closer whilst wrapping his wounded hand with some cloth, he gave an upwards nod.\n\n```cpp\n\"The Root. You mean the Veirok, per its official name.\"```\n\nHe would give a glare towards Kuouo, correcting his unofficial terminology — or, well, his lack of terminology entirely — and would thoroughly analyze the elixir that the goat would likely display, were he to do so.\n_ _\n\n```cpp\n\"A cure. Huh.\"\n\"Well, I was thinking I would perform some more experiments on the fermentation process, first. But it appears it will take quite some time.\"```\n\nSheto pondered, adjusting his glasses, briefly closing his eyes in contemplation.\n\n```cpp\n\"I haven't an idea who you mean when you refer to this slug doctor. There was no such person on the Third Floor. I memorized all of their names and appearances. Anyone who did not board to the Third Floor upon the creation of the Vektet or who was not born on the Third Floor and raised in its midst is not fit to be called a doctor.\"```\n\n...He paused.\n\n```cpp\n\"...Hm. Maybe that's too outdated of thinking.\"\n\"It shouldn't matter. Third Floor or not. Respectable to see someone follow in the art of science, in the end.\"\n\"And I haven't heard a person call me a proper alchemist in some time. This doctor must know more than one would ordinarily think.\"\n\"You have my interest. Please elaborate on this cure. I'd like a sample to review.\"```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo raised an eyebrow, wondering to himself what the liquid dousing the cloth could possibly be - With Sheto being a great alchemist and all, it was pretty clear that it was being used to disinfect the bloody wound. It was remarkable, but No monster food. If this was all Sheto had, then it was more than likely that Kuo wouldn't find an alternative on the upper floors.\n\n``'All the more reason t' play is safe.'``\n\nKuo closed his eyes, a light groan peeking through his lips. Upon re-opening them, Sheto finished removing the shards that pierced his skin. The bandit's eye couldn't help but twitch while watching, it was like watching those 'oddly satisfying' videos that weren't satisfying at all. Just sympathetically painful. As soon as the alchemist could shift his focus to the bandit, he finally spoke up.\n\n```fix\n\"Well, I guess yer right. But on that same hand, ye ain't doin' much to uhh... Incapcitate whoever yer 'negatively disposed' against. Hell, ya pretty much hurt ya self tryna defend yerself.```\n\nThe caprine grabs Infernium by the hilt, picking it up half-way before ShinkIng it back into its sheath. \n\n```yaml\n\"The Root. You mean the Veirok, per its official name.\"```\n\n``'Ah right, the root—``\n\nKuouo fiddles around in his inventory, grabbing the bottle seemingly from nowhere and holding it tightly in his hands. ``Being a thief and all, your paws had t' be versatile. Loose for stealing, sturdy for fighting, both if yer gonna,,,`` Kuo snickered to himself and shook his head, getting his mind out of the gutters.\n\n```fix\n\"Veirok, huh? If that's the name of it, then yeah. I'm lookin' to make a cure for the Veirok. And yeah... That's gonna take a while, once ya get the process down, I know yer gonna take the extra steps t' see the flavor after it ages even longer, daheheha!\"```\n\nKuo walks forward, setting the doctor's glass vessel on his table, being sure to place just far enough for the alchemist to differentiate it from his beverage experiment. Not that Sheto'd be stupid enough, but the precaution was taken nonetheless.\n\n```fix\n\"Ya really haven't seen the doctor here? There's a whole ass sign that says 'PHYSICIAN' and everything on it... Well whatever, I dunno where he's actually from so he couuuld be from somewhere that ain't the third floor? Dude knows a bunch about medicide, a lot about herbs, and wants t' cure the Veirok root. That's all I know.\"```\n\nKuo shrugged as Sheto somewhat praised the doctor. Upon asking for a sample of the liquid, Kuouo jabbed his thumb in the direction of the table, directing Sheto exactly where he left it." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"I was always told that I was given a body to fight.\"```\n\n—he said, once again turned from Kuouo, adjusting his notes and reorganizing the messied workplace ahead of himself. He briefly gripped his bandaged left hand, clenching and unclenching it as he spoke, before returning to his business, sweeping up the remnant shards of glass that untidied his desk.\n\n```cpp\n\"But. There is not a man who has been given the gift of the Third Floor's knowledge that has believed the art of fighting is ultimately worth one's time.\"```\n\nSo he spoke in reply to Kuouo's remark that Sheto seemed to possess a lack of incapacitating power towards those who would wish him harm. He had a point, yes, and while such an observation could have just been born of an assumption from a single slip-up that Sheto made, the alchemist was gifted in the art of combat, yet entirely untrained in its way. He was born with all the talent in the world to fight, yet cast it aside in pursuit of greater knowledge... Such was the way of all those before him. Such was the way of the Third Floor. The very act of fighting was repulsive, and training to strengthen oneself to fight was oft disparaged, especially for those born to be `Architects.` Mentality over physicality, and practicality over all else.\n\n```cpp\n\"All that becomes wise to one wisened limitlessly is to create, and to create endlessly.\"```\n\nSheto paused, stopping his hands atop the desk, staring down at the flasks of liquid which he had so effortfully prepared. He paused, and briefly seemed to ponder something within the moment.\n\n`When you're granted everything, you cannot do anything.`\n\nWhat an irony.\n\n`Mm.` Momentary moodiness aside, there was a matter more pressing at-hand to be dealt with, here. The alchemist turned, and glared at the sample which Kuouo had placed atop his workbench, removing his glasses and slowly sliding back up his visor with a `chk... Chk... Clic...`\n\n*`CLIC`\n_ _\n\nNow firmly attached to his face, he glared down at the glass vial full of the strange blue solution that Kuouo presented for analysis. The alchemist Sheto carefully stared at it, through several adjusted optics, sliding several of the semi-transparent runebound-stoneslides to the visor's forefront, their arcane enchantments granting him a clarified sense of sight as he deeper analyzed the solution.\n\n```cpp\n\"The physician, you say.\"```\n\nHe spoke rather unenthusiastically, responding even while his mind was otherwise preoccupied. In the moment that Kuouo had presented the strange elixir, the man could hardly care to hear more of what he said, and was instead attracted to further analyze the sample. A man of science was he, and one of few words; to converse in banter was not his strong suit, and so he would not attempt to do so in the first place.\n\n```cpp\n\"This is an interesting brew. Very interesting.\"\n\"I've not seen such abysmally amateurish brewing techniques, but the herbs applied are, indeed, very interesting.\"```\n\nHe adjusted the angle at which he held the vial, flicking a small dial on his strange magi-technological visor as so to increase the optics' zooming function.\n_ _\n\n```cpp\n\"The herbs on the First Floor are much different from the medicines I saw in use on the Third. It's good that I accustomed myself with them before now.\"\n\n\"Right. And there are trace samples of the Veirok being brewed straight into the elixir. That seems most troublesome. But an interesting theory to follow up on, nonetheless. I doubt its brewer, despite their lack of skill, put it in without good cause.\"\n\n\"They'd ought to ensure the Veirok is right and dead before putting it into any sort of solution. The Veirok is known for its vitality. It cannot be killed with such simple chemical or physical means.\"```\n\n`CLIC`*\n\nSheto removed the visor, lifting the vial close to his bare eyes. Turning, he extended the vial back to Kuouo for him to retake, seemingly having concluded his analysis of its inner contents.\n\n```cpp\n\"Personally, I once cared to cure the corrupting effects of the Veirok. It seemed right for me to do so, as an alchemist. Nonetheless, my endeavors were soon cut short by my exile. Though interrupted, my prior research would be partially applicable to this elixir.\"\n\n\"I am interested to compare notes with this unlicensed physician. And further, I am interested to deeply criticize his complete lack of knowledge in the field of properly procuring medicine. Otherwise, I am interested to finish the research I once started.\"\n\n\"You do have my interest. I will visit the physician.\"```\n\nSo he spoke, now compliant with the idea of him cooperating with the slug-doctor that Kuouo briefly described. While not knowing of who the physician truly was, Sheto seemed both (mostly) respectful and quite interested in the sample of the medicinal elixir that he had brewed.\n\nWere Kuouo to begin departure from the household, Sheto would soon follow after, and so too would he follow him on the way to the physician." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Ey man, I get it. If ya found yer callin', by all means go for it. I was just suggestin' you find better means of protectin' yourself. 'Specially since it sounds like someone's been 'for your head.'```\n\nAs Sheto re-applied the optic device, Kuo bent down on his knees and squinted at the Zocheiz's moot solution, perhaps in an attempt to look as important. In doing so, however, he got a closer look at visor and felt the slightest bit of magic eminating from it. Once again, the bandit was introduced to the medical advances of the Vektet, surprised once more that they were able to observe things at the microbial scale.\n\nSheto, once again, makes an acute statement of the herbs brewed within the solution, also mentioning the vitality of the root itself. According to the alchemist, the root possessed an obscene amount of it, allowing the bandit to realize why it grew so wildly within the Exiles' watch - More specifically, the greattower beyond it.\n\n```fix\n\"Makes sense now, most people would probably kill an infestation of an annoyin' root if they could do it inna somewhat practical sense. If it can't be killed with chemicals or by cuttin' it, how do ya suppose we take care of it?\"```\n\nKuouo stood up straight, stretching out his knees and taking the vial offered back to him. He stuffs it safely within his inventory and shoves his hands into his pockets. Sheto then speaks of a time that he too tried to cure the damning root before his own exile, provoking the bandit to eventually ask for the reason of his banishment from the third floor.\n\n```fix\n\"I'll lead ya to his office, jus' follow me.```\n\nHe lit a fireball within his palm, now burning a bright orange instead of the blue flames imbued with copper (II) sulfide (or whatever it could've been) from earlier. He traces his steps through the labyrinthe of corridors with ease before exiting the hell of the house.\n\n```fix\n\"Goddammit this place sucks - ANYWAYS, sorry if its an offensive question or somethin', but it'd give us somethin' to talk about while on our way there. Yer house was a bit of a walk ya know. I was jus' wonderin' what ya got exhiled for.\"```\n\nKuouo began power-walking down the trail, hoping Sheto could keep up." } ]	393	5,405
756.873418	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "An unnamed, worn-down clinic with only a singular staff member. Within the Exile's Watch, medical talent is a rarity amongst rarities, and as such, despite the great demand for medical care, there are little-to-no doctors within the village. Despite this, however, the unnamed clinic continues to run, day-in and day-out, despite its lack of proper staffing. \n\nShoddy, yet serviceable architecture forms the exterior and interior of the clinic, which provides a narrow, yet long-spanning hallway-esque interior, with curtained dividers separating cramped sickbeds on either side of the central walkway. At the very back of the structure, opposite the entryway door, is located a cylindrical workspace and a makeshift operation-room for the clinic's sole physician.\n\nA clinic is at its best when its empty. Such was true in the moment that Foster entered the shabby-old building which could only be identified by the single nameplate with the translated text `PHYSICIAN` Upon its face. Upon examination of his surroundings, Foster would note that there were no patients within any of the sickbeds along either side of the clinic, their respective curtained dividers open and untouched for seemingly some time. Despite the absence of any patients in the beds, however, there did seem to be a few people within the cylindrical space further within the clinic — vaguely, he could make out the figure of a man, and a...\n\n...What was that, even? Its form was... So strange, that it lacked words to aptly describe it. It was tall, large, and with a most odd form... Almost like a giant... Slug?\n\nWithwhat their distances were from Foster himself, combined with the lower light levels within the clinic, he'd be unable to catch clear sight of either of their figures. However, he could overhear them speaking, quietly, yet in such a disturbed nature that it seemed almost like they were arguing." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "`Aw, what the fuck?` The man immediately thought as he saw the slug-like creature further into the room. It was arguing with someone seemingly, Foster seeing it as a perfect time to eavesdrop and perhaps get some intel on this god-forsaken land. He began to slowly creep closer to the two, taking note of the lack of patients. `There ain't no people here... Something up with this doc?` Chills were sent down his spine as he moved closer. Would he need to fight in this state if things went awry? As a backup plan, he determined the slug was probably an easy mark. The man maybe not.\n\nHe crept closer and closer... Now starting to be able to make out a few of their words. He needed to get closer though to get the full picture! Gently he moved, now holding his breath...\n\nSHATTER\n\n`Son of a...!` A small glass cup was knocked by his elbow, tipping over and rolling down onto the ground with a loud shatter. `Just my damn luck!` The man, in a panic, quickly straightened his posture, wincing in pain from his swift movements. \"A-ah! My bad—I was going to ask if I could see the doctor here, and saw you two arguing. I wanted to get your attention, so I came closer and well...\" His head shifted to the glass which scattered the floor, \"Guess I accidentally knocked into that. Apologies!\" He gave a lighthearted laugh, smiling. \"Ignoring that though—who's the doctor here? As you can see,\" He pointed to his left shoulder, \"I'm a bit injured.\"" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "\"...You piece've of shit...!\" It's not much 'm asken'-y' for, you STUPID* Bastard...!\"\n\nFoster, progressing through the clinic, could hear the noise of the two figures arguing more clearly. The scratchy voice of the man opposite to the slug-like figure was most loud, boisterous, and quite obnoxious in the enclosed space, easier to hear in the enclosed surroundings. He rattled on and on, arguing, before being interrupted:\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴍʏ ᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ. ꜱʜᴇ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ꜱᴛᴏᴘ ᴄᴏɴꜱᴜᴍɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ʜᴇʀꜱᴇʟꜰ. ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴇɴʏ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇᴅᴏᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱᴇ?\"`\n\nThe voice was strangely resonant; not quite gurgly, yet wet, low, and reverberating. The latter, masculine voice spoke slowly and carefully, each word enunciated with a slightly strange inflection that gave equal stress to every word in a given sentence. Despite its oddness, it possessed the essence of acuity, as if from one with great knowledge.\n\n\"You blooded, dense Moron! Didn'tcha fucken 'ear me, uh?! It's fucken' tearing her apa—\"\n\nSHATTER\n\n\"...Wh-..What in the 'ell...?\"\n\n...The man opposite the slug-like figure turns to view the origin of the noise, stomping towards him." }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "\"Who the fuck are you, uh?! I ain't in the mood for your Bullshit! I ought to fucken'...\"\n\nWith a clearly furious expression on his face — perhaps from the built-up frustration he had experienced sometime earlier — the dark-elven glared angrily at Foster, briefly sizing him up. Stomping forwards, he placed his hand on a sheathe at his left hip—\n\n\"...\"\n\n`Shit.`\n`I left my dagger back there.`\n\n\"...You right-rabid little bitch. Don't you fucken' come any closer.\"\n\nAatkei sneered at the man who had suddenly appeared in the clinic, interrupting his business with the local physician. It seemed that Aatkei, himself, was somewhat injured — a strange scar akin to some sort of acid-burn across his bare chest, his shirt likewise melted away through a similar method — yet, he appeared unhindered by his wounds. He had come to the clinic for an unknown, much more personal reason, and thus was not in any sort of mood to deal with Foster's interruption. Yet, as if due to the fact that he was lacking a weapon, he forcefully calms, pacing back towards the strange slug-like figure in the distance." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ.\"`\n\nThe figure of the slug-like individual s l i t h e r s towards Foster.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴘᴀʀᴅᴏɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴀɴ'ꜱ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴀɴɴᴇʀꜱ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅᴀʙʟʏ ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴ ᴀɴ ᴀᴍɪᴄᴀʙʟᴇ ᴍᴏᴏᴅ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ɴᴏᴡ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ɪɴᴊᴜʀᴇᴅ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ.\"`\n\nThe masked slug-man, Zocheiz — the physician of the clinic — invited Foster to the rear cylindrical room within the clinic. Were he to follow after, he'd be greeted with the full sight of the workspace: surgically-clean operating tools were lined neatly on sealed, glass shelves to the left, a refined, metallic table positioned to the right, several well-in-shape chairs besides said table, and a bed at the very back of the cylindrical room upon which to operate. Sharply contrasting the messy exterior and unkempt sickbeds earlier within the clinic, the room which Foster could assume to be the operating-room was on a level of cleanliness to rival the standards of Earth's own operating procedures. Every aspect was carefully controlled and maintained, and it even seemed that Zocheiz had an understanding of microbial infections — there was, what appeared to be, antibiotic ointments and cleansing-solutions within the instrument-containing shelves to the left. Quite impressive, considering the nature of the Vektet." }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "The elven man, now silent, yet still seething with anger, was positioned to the left of the operating-table at the far-back of the room. Beside him — and atop the table — was the figure of an unconscious woman, who appeared slightly similar to Aatkei himself. Her injuries seemed minor — for she bore only a single bandage on her chin and nothing else — yet she was soundly unconscious." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴇᴀᴛ... ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛᴇɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏᴜɴᴅꜱ ɪɴ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ.`\"\n\nThe slug-doctor slithers across the floor, utilizing his six-digited hands to precisely manipulate what appeared vaguely similar to a hypodermic needle." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "He looked in anxiety as the tall elf began to approach him, \"I-I'm just a guy looking for some help! No need to get vio—\" His eyes locked onto the elf's hand as they reached for their weapon. Instinctively, his right hand gripped the hilt of his sword, the man yet again wincing in pain from his swift movement. As he began to draw the blade, he stopped halfway, the elf appearing to... Not have a weapon? Foster calmed himself at the relieving sight of Aatkei's lack of weapon. He sheathed his sword, \"What can I say, you just got unlucky friend!\" He laughed with a smile on his face. `Finally, fortune favors me!` His expression screamed intense glee. Foster had always been a unusually unlucky man, but in this moment... Fortune had favored him!\n\nCalming himself, he put his right hand up, \"Alright, alright. I don't want to start anything with you friend. I'm injured, that's all.\" He gave a straightforward explanation of his situation, hoping the man would understand his intrusion. Though, it was a _public place_; was he really intruding on anything? His attention then turns to the otherworldly slug that began slithering towards him. Unnerved by the creature, he gave a skittish smile towards the creature, trying to appear friendly. \"Ah—thank you!\" He responded to the strange creature's apology, following it with caution. He did not make eye contact with Aatkei as he passed, afraid of angering the elf more.\n\n_ _\nAs he entered the room, he was taken aback by the state of it. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen! Not even the countless hospitals he's been to could compare to this singular room! It was like something out of a sci-fi novel! The cleanly nature of the operating room eased Foster's concerns about this doctor, the mercenary also noticing the abundance of equipment. This _had_ to be a doctor of at least _some_ merit. The slug even had antibiotics! Foster refocused on the slug as it began to speak, \"Sure thing, doc.\" He responded with a smile, sliding into a seat next to the operating table. He of course was still wary, but his trust of this doctor had increased at least _tenfold._ He waited in patience as the slug fiddled with the needle-like object." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "Allowing Foster to enter further into the cylindrical room and seat himself on one of the several chairs besides the table, the doctor briefly glanced towards Foster to ensure that his wounds were not immediately life-threatening. Briefly analyzing the extent of the damage — the shrapnel did not appear to be deep enough to pierce any major blood-vessels — the doctor gives a nod, and diverts his attention back to the hypodermic needle. \n\nSix digits did the slug-man possess, on each hand, and quite precise with each he was. Possessing a slow and, literally, sluggish body that might cause one to believe that the doctor was unpossessing of an acute, dextrous nature, such an observation could not be less true. In fact, the doctor possessed two opposable thumbs for the specific purpose of the meticulous, fine control of instruments, which he aptly demonstrated in his handling of the syringe.\n\n`Ps-schk.`\n`Sssp...`" }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "\"Oi. What the Hell Do you think y—\"\n\nAatkei loudly objected as he witnessed the doctor begin to administer an injection, yet was, himself, interrupted in return:" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀꜱᴋᴇᴅ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴅᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴏɴᴇ ʀᴇʟɪᴀɴᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀʀᴇɪ ᴘᴇʟʟᴇᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ.\"`\n\n—the doctor interrupts, curtly responding to Aatkei's objection, as he administered a shot of a clear, bluish liquid to the unconscious woman atop the operating-table. The nature of their conversation had little context, but Foster could likely pick up a few clear clues suggesting the nature of what, exactly, was going on here. Aatkei had brought the woman to the doctor for some sort of blunt trauma, and then brought up the topic of her reliance on the Taarei* Pellet — a drug which Foster would likely have heard of from Che — and thus requested the doctor do something about it. The nature of the strange serum was unknown, yet it likely had to do with the effects of the Taarei Pellet, itself.\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴘʀᴏʟᴏɴɢᴇᴅ ᴜɴᴄᴏɴꜱᴄɪᴏᴜꜱɴᴇꜱꜱ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇxᴄʟᴜꜱɪᴠᴇʟʏ ᴄᴏɢɴᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀʀᴇɪ ᴘᴇʟʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ꜱᴏᴘᴏʀɪꜰɪᴄ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛꜱ. ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ᴅᴜᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜɴᴛ ᴛʀᴀᴜᴍᴀ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ᴄʜ—\"`" }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "\"Yeah, yeah! I know, y' grotesque, lard-assed blooded bastard. Keep 'yer stale-slang abracadabra-fucken' bullshit to yourself, you monstrous bitch.\"\n\nAatkei murmured, incredibly aggressively, as he slowly paced towards the operating-table, scooping up the unconscious woman who was left atop his surface. From the moment that Foster had first set eyes on him, up until the presence, and even inferred through Zocheiz' comments, it was clear that Aatkei was in a more-than-aggravated mood. While he wasn't a cordial person in the first place, it seemed that, now, especially, he was Angry.\n\nWith no further context, however, he would be left only to wonder. No further a word, Aatkei placed the woman's arms about and above his shoulders, wrapping them about his neck and hoisting her on his back. Pacing off with the same angry look in his eyes, and a wrathful step in his gait, he leaves without further quarrel. Perhaps it was a blessing that he was leaving..." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ᴜɢʜ.\"`\n\nThe doctor appeared slightly annoyed, even behind his mask. Yet, nonetheless, as a dutiful physician, he would attend to Foster. Zocheiz slithered across the room to the seated Foster, garnering a deepened ascertainment of his physical state. Deeply glaring at the shrapnel embedded into his left shoulder, the doctor makes a few analyses...\n\n`\"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ.\"`\n\nSo he said, turning, and slithering over to his shelf of many instruments. Opening the glassen cabinet, the masked doctor withdraws a clean cloth and an opaque flask, whose contents he doused the cloth with. Further, he grasped a pair of tweezers, and a small kit, containing a needle and some stitching.\n\nSlithering back over to Foster, the doctor patted the region about the injury with the doused cloth. With a potent, herbal scent, it would initially induce a slight burning sensation in Foster's open wound, yet as time passed, it seemed to Numb the pain. Once such effects had settled in, the doctor used the pair of tweezers to Carefully remove the shrapnel from his flesh, Acutely following up with the needle to stitch the wound in record time. Quite the proficient doctor, he was — his talent was especially impressive in a location such as the Exile's Watch. Could an exile truly possess such incredible talent in the medicinal field?\n\n`\"ɪ, ᴜᴍ... ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ.\"`\n\nSlithering backwards and away from Foster while still keeping his eyes from beyond his mask upon him, the doctor questioned with a subtly nervous tone.\n\n`\"ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴘʀʏɪɴɢ; ᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡɪꜱʜ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ɪꜱ ᴘʀᴏɢʀᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄɪɴᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴍᴇᴛ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ... ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ, ʏᴇꜱ? ᴏʀ ᴀᴍ ɪ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ...\"`\n\nCuriously questioning without any apparent other sort of malicious intent, the doctor awaited a reply." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "Still suspicious of the reputability of this doctor, he let the slug examine his wound, watching as it slithered away shortly after. _`Am I really going through with this...?`_ He gave a light, nervous laugh under his breath as the doctor treated the other patient in the room. His attention was caught immediately by the elf's outburst, perking his head up at them. Although he thought it best to mind his own business, it was hard not to listen in on their conversation _somewhat._\n\nHe heard mention of taarei pellets—Che having told him about the effects those drugs have. He inconspicuously tilted his head to get a look at the girl laid out on the table. _`She a friend of that guy? Hard to imagine that asshole even has friends.`_ He listened as the doctor explained the situation that the girl was in, having suffered blunt trauma as well as being under the effects of the taarei pellets. He couldn't help but feel bad for the stranger, but in the end, he had little care for the people of this land.\n\nAs Aatkei stormed out of the room with the woman, a wave of relief consumed Foster, the mercenary glad that the elf had finally left. Noticing the doctor's annoyed state, he spoke up, \"That guy come here often? Looks like a real hassle to deal with him.\" He turned his body in the chair, allowing the slug to get a better look at his wound. The mercenary had decided to trust the doctor, watching as the slug began to remove various medical tools from the cabinet.\n\n_ _\nOnce the doctor had returned, the man grimaced upon the cloth making contact with his open wound, the burning sensation being a slight pain. Miraculously though, his wound had _numbed_ shortly after. Did the denizens of the Vektet truly have access to numbing medicine of this quality? The man felt no pain whatsoever as the slug operated upon his shoulder, the shrapnel coming out like it were a mere splinter. It was truly incredible just what this doctor was capable of, his wound being fully stitched shut without an ounce of pain. He slowly rolled his shoulder, feeling it out; it was day and night to its former state!\n\n\"You're quite the incredible doctor, huh?\" He complimented the slug's medical prowess, standing up from his seat. Shortly after, he was met with a disastrous question: where he was from. He thought for a split second, \"I uh uhm... I come from... The, second floor! I'm here on... Business terms, you see? Real annoying stuff!\" He gave a nervous laugh, placing his hand on the back of his head. Telling the slug that he was from _outside the Vektet_ seemed like the wrong choice to him, most residents of this place being hostile to his kind. Though... Would his lie work?" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Positioned at the entrance of the clinic, Kuouo would be met with a sight similar to such." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Howzabout that... As shoddy as the woodwork is, this is still kinda advanced for the supposed era this place is in, ain't it?\"```\n\nKuouo whispered to himself, somewhat impressed of the similar architecture of the clinic. The empty sickbeds were a good sign — Though, it could be a bad thing too. The bandit reminisced a pessimistic view of his world's medical system; one where humans avoided seeking the care they needed in fear of becoming drowned in debt. He shrugged it off, knowing he'd probably find out sooner or later. Kuouo squints his eyes, peering a thet two figures in the office placed at the far end of the corridor. He barely makes out their silhouettes before sniffing the air. Beyond the clean scent that permeated every doctor's office were four more scents. The smell of an unknown human, the faint scents of an angry elf, his cohort, and a slug's... Slime? The scent wasn't nice nor unpleasant, but it did interest the bandit in a positive manner. After all, he has yet to personally meet any monster-like beings like himself on this floor.\n\n```fix\n\"Eyy, sorry for bargin' in, ya mind if I come in t' ask you a couple questions? Yer the doctor, right?\"```\n\nKuouo called out, his left paw right beside his snout to direct his voice down the corridor as he powerwalked to the makeshift operating room. He pokes his head in, holding onto the doorframe and tilting his head.\n\n``That is definitely a human, from outside the Vetket. Ain't no doubt about it. If I stuck out like a sore thumb, this dude would definitely the smashed finger on the other hand, daheheheh.``\n\nIt was puzzling, Peculiar Even. Kuouo did not remember even sensing a trace of this guy when they all entered the Vetket. Could he have arrived late? - No, the timeframing was too awkward... Unless he entered way earlier than the rest of them...\n\n```fix\n\"I uh, hope I ain't interruptin' anything too important doc. The name's Kuouo.\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ʏᴇꜱ, ʏᴇꜱ... ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅꜰᴜʟ... ʙᴜᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ʙʟᴀᴍᴇ ʜɪᴍ ꜰᴏʀ ʜɪꜱ ᴀɴɢᴇʀ. ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ ꜱᴄᴀʀᴄᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ. ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅʀɪᴠᴇꜱ ʜɪᴍ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ, ꜱᴏ ʙᴇ ɪᴛ.\"`\n\nHe responded to Foster's comment on Aatkei, his tone slightly slowed in frustration — he was, indeed, slightly displeased with the words of beratement his patient had left him with — yet, the doctor, Zocheiz, in the latter portion of his statement, seemed more understanding than angered. How sad it was to lead a life on the First Floor... Growing so accustomed to the dreary setting, Zocheiz had become much more understanding of the ill-tempered within the Exile's Watch. It's hard to find something to be happy about when one's neverending life is spent in naught but squalor and vain struggle.\n\nWhile Foster could not see his face, the doctor seemed pleased with Foster's compliment on his operative work. With patients like Aatkei leaving wounding remarks about his beastly nature in exchange for the Free, unrequited, and exemplary service That he provided them, the few remarks of graciousness that he received would be all-the-more impactful. The doctor, with a slightly pleasant aspect about him, slithers back to the cabinet, dipping the set of tweezers and needle he used for stitching into a cleansing solution, placing the rest of the equipment he had taken into their respective storagespaces.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴜʜ... ʙᴜꜱɪɴᴇꜱꜱ... ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ...?\"`\n`\"ʏᴇꜱ... ʏᴇꜱ, ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ...\"`\n\n...He didn't buy that one bit, but wouldn't pry any further. See no evil, hear no evil...\n\n\n- -\n\n\nThen, the arrival of another patient — no, just a curious individual? The furry bandit made his presence known, and so the sluglike doctor perked his cloaked-and-masked head to view the new arrival to the clinic. \n\n`\"ɴᴏ, ɴᴏ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀʀᴜᴘᴛ ʜᴇʀᴇ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄᴀʟ ᴀᴛᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴏɴ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ʜᴇʀᴇ.\"`\n\nThe doctor invited Kuouo to the rear, cylindrical portion of the clinic, and offered him up a chair.\n\n`\"...ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ...\"`\n`\"ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ...\"`\n\n`\"ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ɴᴇᴡꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ, ᴀʜʜ...\"`\n\n`\"ᴍɪꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏɴ?\"`\n\n...The doctor questioned, a slightly puzzled tone in his slow and resonant voice. It was indeed quite often that Zocheiz would simply Not be informed Of the changes that happened within the Exile's Watch. Many discriminated against him solely due to form and not by act; his sluglike nature was unsightly to those of the First Floor, and so, despite his unconditional services, he was oft despised. These people seemed to have their doubts, yet had no such prejudices... Which was yet another defining trait that made them so strange. They were not at all like the rest of the exiles, and Zocheiz himself had never seen them within the village, up until now." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": ". . .\n\n_`He didn't buy it, huh?`_\n\nLikewise to his lie, the slug's disbelief was obvious. Luckily for the man, the doctor seemed to care not that he told a lie. The man stood up, stretching out his back, \"Well, thanks for the treatment, doc. 'Bout time I get goin—\" His speech was interrupted by the new voice that had made itself known in the room. His gaze affixed itself upon the yellow furred goat that had entered the room.\n\n_`Wait... Is that...?`_ He squinted his eyes at the goat, his eyes widening in surprise at who it was. \"Hey, you're that bandit, aren't you? I swear I've seen you a couple times on the news!\" Foster interrupted the goat's conversation with the slug, approaching Kuouo with a hand offered, \"Name's Foster, but you can call me Fost. Just as you're a renowned thief, I'm something of a legendary mercenary, you know?\" Unlike his previous lie, his words were much more coherent and spoken with confidence—as if he had told this lie countless times before. He rested his left elbow upon the bandit's right shoulder as he moved beside him, \"Now, don't go around tellin' everyone... But I've killed quite a few dangerous people here, y'know?\" He whispered to the goat, \"Guy with _biiigggg_ metal gauntlets—killed 'em in one strike,\" He backed away from the bandit with radiating bravado, his hands held up as a grin was plastered on his face. \"Hard to believe, I know! But like I said, _I'm a bit of a legend._\" He finished his lie, smirking at the bandit.\n\nHe had his reasons for telling such a lie, one of them being to acquire a competent ally such as the renowned bandit, Kuouo. It was obvious he wasn't going to make it through this hellscape alone after all. On a more personal note, Foster preferred to be on equal or greater terms with those he spoke to. With Kuouo being a well known bandit, the mercenary wove his own story, using Kaazaa as evidence to his legendary status." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo accepts the doctor's invitation to the empty seat, stepping into the office before the human fixated his eyes onto the bandit. He tilted his head, unsure why the man stared so intently at him before being greeted with reverence. He smirks, shaking the man's hand firmly and taking his seat.\n\n```fix\n\"Daheheh! Yeah that's me. Nice t' meetcha Fost. Damn man, the way ya stared at me for a sec I thought you were gonna make a break for it.\"```\n\nKuouo let go of Foster's hand, pulling the hood of his cloak back as a subconscious gesture of letting his guard down around the familiar human — Well, familiar in the sense that they originate from similar circles anyways.\n\n```fix\n\"Legendary merc huh? Well no offense, I haven't heard of ya. Maybe Raven does since she's closer to yer line of work, daheh.\"```\n\nAs Foster made his way to the bandit's right hand side, he cocked his head slightly to the left, allowing him to register Foster's soft manner of bragging a bit easier through the floppy ears and fur. Kuo's eyes widen, a surprised smile fixated on his face.\n\n```fix\n\"Hoho! Ya took out Kaazaa in one strike? Lucky! Err, lucky for me of course. Jus' means I ain't gotta fight 'im, daheheh. I ain't a coward, but without any monster food on me it means I've definitely gotta watch my step.\"```\n\nKuo shifted in his seat, looking towards the doctor he thought to be of monster-kin.\n\n```fix\n\"Which is actually why I came 'ere doc! I hope ya don't mind, but as y'can see, me an' my pal here Foster come from outside the Vetket. I was wonderin' if ya had or knew of a similar substance 'r... Substanence I guess?\"```\n\nKuouo raised an eyebrow, unknowing of the fact that he just absolutely Blew Foster's cover. Which, to be fair, anyone with a decent comprehension of context clues could've figure out beforehand.\n\n```fix\n\"ITEM, yes, an ITEM that resembles food made of magic - And in turn, when ya eat it, it INSTANTLY turns into energy and restores both yer health and stamina. Sounds a bit too handy for somethin' like that on the Exiles Watch, but I thought I might take the shot in the dark.\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ʜᴜʜ...\"`\n\nThe doctor remained, for the most part, silent, as the two conversed about increasingly-concerning topics within his witness. The strange man, Foster, backpedaled on a rather obvious lie — though the doctor, for the most part, did not mind to pry in the first place — then continued to follow up with quite a series of worrisome statements. A Legendary mercenary, A Man from beyond the gate — the titles that he granted himself, as well as the clues that could be gathered from the connotations of his statements, revealed facts that were ever-worrisome when placed into proper context. The doctor, his face hidden behind his mask, gives a most perturbed and confused expression, yet such would not be revealed to either Kuouo or Foster.\n\nThen, Kuouo went about introducing himself. And, just as Foster had (indirectly so) revealed... He stated that he, too, was from Beyond the expanses of the Ark.\n\nThe doctor pauses for a moment, going without a statement or a noise, as he processed the significance of this revealed information, applying it not only to himself, but to the entirety of the Exile's Watch. `Two men have intruded from beyond the Ark and made their way safely into the Exile's Watch. Then, that must mean...`\n\n`\"...ᴀʜ...\"`\n\nThere would certainly be More. And each were strong enough to pierce beyond the Embrace of Sol. Further, Foster claimed that he had Slain Kaataa — one who was oft acknowledged to be amongst the strongest of exiles within the First Floor. He was more a feared man than he was revered, brutal in every sense of the word, and without an amicable nature in the slightest. Yet, it would not be true in the slightest to say that his passing was of no detriment to the Watch. Kaataa, as it would be made clear by his key positioning on the bridge to the Ascent to the Second Floor, was a centerpiece of the village's guard, even despite his vehemently violent and quarrelsome nature.\n_ _\n\n`This is m... Most dangerous.`\n\n...Well, they did not show any hostile intent. Yet. And that was more than what could be said for even some longstanding residents of the Exile's Watch, or even the floors beyond the First. Still, One had bloodied their hands with the life of a pillar within the village's community.\n\n`\"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ, ʏᴇꜱ... ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ...\"`\n\nThe doctor spoke with a subtle twinge of nervousness in his voice, slithering towards and facing the glassen cabinet at the left of the room, restructuring its interior organization — as to give himself something to do while speaking with the others, and additionally to ease his nerves. \n\n`\"ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ... ɪ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʏᴘᴇ.\"`\n\nZocheiz commented, still deeply disquieted by Foster's offhand boasting about him having Murdered A man. Nonetheless, compliance seemed the route most applicable to circumstances such as these, and so the doctor would continue in conversation with the two, replying to Kuouo's request-of-information about something akin to... An `\"ITEM\"`?\n_ _\n\n`\"ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟʟʏ ʀᴇꜰʀᴇꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴏɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴅᴇᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴛᴀᴍɪɴᴀ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴜʀᴛʜᴇʀᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴᴅᴜᴄᴇꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴘᴏɴᴛᴀɴᴇᴏᴜꜱ ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛ...?\"`\n\nThe doctor attempted to rephrase and rationalize the wording that Kuouo had used, reasoning throughout his mind with the altered phrase if something of the likes was even Physically possible. \n\n\n`\"ɴᴏ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴇꜰʏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄɪɴᴇ'ꜱ ʟɪᴍɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ.\"`\n\n_ _\n...He responded, dismissing the thought entirely. He could hardly believe that Kuouo could come from a land with so-called 'items' that could do such things. Even Healing magic, A rare and complex arcane artform that required both considerable talent and immense skill to properly utilize, could not perform such tremendous feats Instantaneously. Indeed, it seemed an almost ridiculous request in the first place, that an Item, Which could so freely be used without any sort of skill or practice, could perform what hundreds-of-years' practice in magic, surgery, and medicine took Hours to do, In mere Seconds.\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ...\"`\n\nThe doctor interrupted, slowly rummaging through the large catalogue of items within the glass cabinet. At the top, front-and-center, there were indeed a variety of tools, yet as he went lower and lower within its midst, its contents shifted to that of, what vaguely appeared to be, Potions.\n\n`\"ɪᴛ ɪꜱ, ɪɴ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ, ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ɢᴏᴀʟꜱ, ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ... ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴡʜᴀᴛ, ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ, ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀɴ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴜꜱɪʙɪʟɪᴛʏ.\"`\n\nZocheiz stared at the very bottom of the cabinet, where dozens of cryptic, curiously-marked bottles filled to the brim with strange liquids of various colors were held. Some were clear, others were a bright blue, but most were a strange, greenish hue.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡʜʏ ɪ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴏᴄᴛᴏʀ, ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ... ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴀᴄʜɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴀ ʜᴇɪɢʜᴛᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇʜᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"...ɪᴛ ᴏɴʟʏ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴍʏ ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ɪᴛꜱ ᴍɪɴᴅ-ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛɪɴɢ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴀʀʀɪᴠᴇᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ ᴏꜰ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ... ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀꜱ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ, ᴄᴏɴᴅᴇᴍɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ꜰᴀᴛᴇꜱ, ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ... ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ʟᴀᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ʜᴇʀʙᴏʟᴏɢʏ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʙʟɪɢʜᴛꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇʀꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ... ʙᴜᴛ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴇxɪʟᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ, ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴅᴇᴍɴᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ꜱɪɴꜱ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴜᴇ.\"`\n\n`\"ʏᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴘᴀɪᴅ ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱɢʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ... ᴍᴀɴʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ɴᴏᴡ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴏʀɴ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴇxɪʟᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴄʀᴜᴇʟɴᴇꜱꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀᴀʟ ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ... ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜʏ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ꜱᴏ ʜᴀʀꜱʜʟʏ... ꜱʟᴀɪɴ. ᴡʜᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪᴄᴇ ᴏʀ ɴᴏᴛ.\"`\n\nThe doctor, who was once welcoming and without prejudice, seemed now deeply at disease with the two; it was almost as if he was indignant with their nature in their individual statements. He stared, from beyond his mask, wistfully, at the bottles within his cabinet.\n\nHe thought they might be of different mindsets, considering their lack of prejudice against his sluglike form...\n\nBut now, he was certain.\n\nHe was wrong." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "The mercenary watched the slug continue to fiddle with his various vials, easily picking up on the hint of nervousness behind his voice. Foster had always been gifted when it came to reading and understanding living things. _Was it cause of what he said...?_ From what it looked like though, that barbaric brawler didn't seem the slightest bit friendly... So why was the slug nervous? All he did was kill an enemy after all. The man thought to himself in silence as the doctor continued their speech.\n\n_`\"They are not to be so harshly... Slain. Whether you think it justice or not.\"_\n\nThat line had answered his suspicion; the doctor's avoidance of the two seemed to stem from Foster's murder of Kaataa. For the goat, he wasn't too sure—perhaps the knights from the tower? His pondering was interrupted by the bandit's voice, focusing on what they were saying.\n\n_`Despise killing people...? Establish a good connection with the exiles...?`_\n\n. . .\n\n*Foster glared at the bandit, his expression one of animosity.\n\nSnapping his gaze towards the floor, a smirk grew on his face, the mercenary chuckling, \"Bandit, meet me outside when you're done messing around. I wanna have a chat,\" The mercenary spoke, his tone giving off a foreboding aura. The mercenary turned his back to the two, leaving them alone without saying another word. The door to the clinic swung open violently, Foster leaving the building.\n\n_`Stupid bastard...`_\n\nHe stopped immediately outside the clinic, leaning against the wall to the left of the door and waiting for Kuouo to finish whatever business he had with the slug." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ᴜɢʜ...\"`\n\n...The doctor gave a subtle, yet slow and prolonged sigh, the subtle traces of disappointment and remorse within his breath as he watched the legendary mercenary leave the clinic. Following Kuouo's heartfelt clarification of his intent within the Ark, Zocheiz paused, his gaze set on the door of the clinic as he gave a prolonged, somber moment of thought. The aura of the room had shifted in an instant, and Zocheiz seemed unintent on giving any sort of immediate rebuttal. All he would do is watch, wait, and remain silent in thought... There was much to take in.\n\n\n\n\n`[...]`\n\n\n\n\n`\"ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ...\"`\n\nZocheiz broke the prolonged silence following Kuouo's statement, beginning the single word with a sense of conclusion, yet faltered before he could continue his reply, his words briefly choked up by the nervousness and anticipation of the moment. The doctor adjusted his gaze towards the empty operating-bed, and sighed again, gathering himself.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇʀ...\"`\n`\"ɪᴛ'ꜱ... ᴡᴇʟʟ, ɪᴛ'ꜱ... ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱᴏ ʙʀᴀꜱʜ ᴀꜱ ʙᴏᴀʀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ... ᴛᴏ ᴄʟɪᴍʙ, ᴛᴏ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴄᴏᴍᴇ, ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ...\"`\n`\"ɪɴꜰᴀᴄᴛ, ɪ... ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ...\"`\n\nHe paused, his words pausing, yet his resonant tone of voice persisting in a low grumble, as if he was finding his own words.\n\n`ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ. ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀɴʏ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ... ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴜʟꜰɪʟʟ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ... ᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ. ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʀꜱᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ... ɪᴛꜱ ʜɪɢʜꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴏᴡꜱ, ꜱᴇᴇᴋɪɴɢ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀꜱ, ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ.\"`\n\n`ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ... ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛꜱ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ... ʙᴜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ.`\n\n`ʏᴇᴛ... ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪ, ꜱᴏ ᴅɪꜱᴘᴀꜱꜱɪᴏɴᴀᴛᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴅɪᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ.`\n\n`ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴠᴀʟᴜᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ.`\n\nThe doctor painedly, yet emphatically spoke, as if one confessing. There were no words more true to the doctor himself, and yet they seemed applicable in this situation, and so he spoke them in earnest.\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠɪɴᴄᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴏᴘ ᴄʟɪᴍʙɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.\"`\n\nThe doctor replied, understandingly, giving a slow nod as he stared towards the floor. Indeed, it seemed that his words did reach, and that was the most he could ask for. Many others would simply disregard his explanations, his requests, and his pleas, all for the search of some greater aspiration. To climb, to reclaim glory, to grow stronger, to grow richer, to grow wiser... Uncontrollable, selfish aspirations that would burn away all opposition was all he had, until this point, been familiar with. The wearied exiles sought something to make their lives worth living — they Needed* Such aspirations to continue existing, and so they would pursue them unto the ends of the earth. It was a brutal, self-destructive, and harmful path to follow to its end, and oft one that left one's greatest desire unfulfilled, those around them only hurt by the result of their determined clawing forth.\n\nThe bandit whose demeanor he first assumed to be solely aggressive towards the inhabitants of the First Floor was actually one of understanding. Even if his aspiration was to continue climbing, and to seek whatever riches his heart desired, he could be convinced beyond such aspirations, and made to see empathy for others. To finally see one who could understand that there was a world beyond their own desires, something to pursue besides their own personal ambitions, was quite refreshing. \n\nThe doctor gives a low sigh, not of sorrow, remorse, guilt, resentment or displeasure, but of relief.\n_ _\n\n`\"ɪ ᴅᴏ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇᴄɪᴀᴛᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱꜱɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ... ᴀɴᴅ, ʏᴇꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀꜱ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴡɪꜱʜᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴜʀꜱᴜᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴜɴᴀʙʟᴇ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴʟʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ꜱᴇʟꜰʟᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ... ʙᴜᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ, ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴏ, ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴘᴜʀꜱᴜᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴇɴᴅꜱ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴀɢᴏ.\"`\n\nHe spoke thankfully, staring at the bottom shelf of the open, glass cabinet. Withdrawing one of the blue tonics from within, he lifted it to the faint light within the room, demonstrating it to Kuouo.\n\n`\"ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ... ɪ ꜱᴇᴇᴋ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ. ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇᴅ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴄᴇɴᴛᴜʀɪᴇꜱ... ᴛᴏ ɴᴏ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴀꜱ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇʀʙꜱ ᴀꜱ ɪ ᴀᴍ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ɪ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ.\"`\n\n\nThe doctor elucidated, with a slight sigh. How long had he searched for answers, only to turn up nil? How many times had he ventured to solve this riddle, only to realize he has been following a red herring? Dead-ends were at every corner. And, worse yet...\n\n`\"...ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴍᴇᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ... ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴅᴇꜱᴘɪꜱᴇᴅ, ʏᴇꜱ. ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ꜰᴀʀ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʟɪɴɪᴄ...\"`\n\n`\"...\"`\n_ _\n\n...He paused, as if questioning whether or not he should have stated that in the first place, but continued nonetheless.\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ... ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. ɪ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴀɴᴅ... ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʀᴇꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʀᴇꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀʙꜱ, ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴇᴀʀᴄʜᴇᴅ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱᴍᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ, ʏᴇᴛ ɪᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇʜᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ... ᴄᴏꜱᴍɪᴄ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ, ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ... ᴀɴ ᴇɴɪɢᴍᴀ.\"`\n\n`ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴍᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟʏ ᴏɴ, ʙᴇꜱɪᴅᴇꜱ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴇᴇʙʟᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ. ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ, ɪɴ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ... ᴀ ʙʀᴇᴡᴇʀ. ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ... ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɴᴏᴛ ᴡʜʏ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴇxɪʟᴇᴅ, ʏᴇᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴀ ʀᴇᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴀʟᴄʜᴇᴍɪꜱᴛ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀɴʏ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ʜɪᴍ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀᴛᴛᴀɪɴ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ... ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴇᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ, ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ... ɪ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴜꜱᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀꜰᴜʟ, ᴘᴜʀɪꜰʏɪɴɢ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴀᴠᴇ ᴏꜰꜰ ᴏᴜᴛᴇʀ ɪɴꜰʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇꜱ. ᴀʟᴀꜱ, ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ ɪᴛꜱ ɴᴀᴍᴇ, ɴᴏʀ ɪᴛꜱ ɪɴɴᴇʀ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴜʀᴛʜᴇʀ ʏᴇᴛ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ɪɴᴄᴀᴘᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ɪɴᴄᴀɴᴛɪɴɢ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇꜱ... ʀᴇꜱᴇᴀʀᴄʜᴇʀꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ꜰᴀɪᴛʜꜰᴜʟ. ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ... ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴ ᴀɴʏ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ, ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴀʟ ᴘᴀᴛʜ ᴛᴏᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ ᴀ ʀᴇꜱᴏʟᴜᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ' ᴍɪꜱᴇʀʏ.\"`\n\n`\"ʟᴀꜱᴛʟʏ... ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀꜱᴀʏ, ʏᴇᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴠᴀꜱᴛʟʏ ꜰʀᴜɪᴛɪᴏᴜꜱ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ, ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ... ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴ ᴇɴɪɢᴍᴀᴛɪᴄ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴋᴇᴇᴘᴇʀꜱ. ɪꜰ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴇxɪꜱᴛꜱ... ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ɪ ʀᴇQᴜɪʀᴇ.\"`\n\n_ _\nSo he proposed three paths to pursue. Each could, potentially, have a chance of failure — yet so too did they possess the potential to be viable means to cure a Branded Exile. Kuouo, knowing that the Root-Crown himself was branded by the nature of the blue root, could very well infer that curing him could be a viable path towards the Ascent to the Second Floor." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuo withdrew his hand, his eyebrow subconsciously twitching once from being left hanging for the third time in the Vektet. ``'i guess it must be a cultural thing...`` \n\nNevertheless, the doctor respected the terms Kuo laid down, the bandit leaning by the wall next to the doorframe and awaiting further details from the slug. Now accustomed to writing information about the Vetket down, he takes his notepad and pen out from his inventory and starts jotting down the potential leads on the new page, _``THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE ROOT``__, complimented by a tiny sketch of Zocheiz's mask and cloak next to it. He glanced up, inspecting the mysterious liquid the doctor held up in the light. He now had a visual represntation of the medicine he strived for: a thick, glowing blue liquid brimming with light in a clear glass vial. It... Might not look like that in the end for all he knew, but it shimmered in his mind as bright as treasure.\n\n```fix\n\"Yeah, I'm sure that bottle's one attempt of many, huh?```\n\nHe asked before the doctor relayed his common experience traversing the Vektet during each attempt.\n\n```fix\n\"... Yeah, I get it. Monsterkind is pretty looked down upon outside of my own city, daheheh.\"```\n\nHe lightly chuckled, his mind flashing back to the time he punched a waitress at a Waffle House when he drove to Alabama for Ruby Hyde's wedding. She had called him a 'monstrous Thing ', so he knocked out her front teeth.\n\n``daheh, try calling me THAt again bitch-``\n\nOf course, the bandit is more than competent to handle any prejudice that the doctor couldn't handle during his outings through both a strong sense of pride and battle strength. \n\n```\"ʏᴏᴜ... ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. ɪ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴀɴᴅ... ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ.\"```\n\nTime to get to the nitty-gritty. Like any rational person would, the doctor sought a greater understanding of any subject matter in their hands. When one can't break the threshold of their own understanding, then it's reasonable to reach out. Although the bandit had a Far less Understanding of herbalism and its usage through medicinal practices, it was his job to seek out those who had a Far greater Understanding than the doctor — or any alternative routes to the answer altogether.\n\n```ini\n[ 1. A brewer - Man named Sheto ] — wait```\n\nKuouo's eyes widened, his grin extending into one of positive disbelief. He already knew this would be the easiest lead to chase; after all, Sheto could be coerced into being indebted to the goat after his own contribution to the whiskey-making process. Not only that, but Kuo knew he could further Sweeten The deal with by enlightening the brewer with the Varieties Of alcohol. Kuouo would continue his note-taking process, allowing the doctor to finish before announcing his lead.\n\n```ini\n[ 2. Powerful, purifying miracle from Knights of Sol??? Required incantation... Magic??? Means going to Tower A or Tower B to look 4 lead. ]\n\n[ 3. Rumor. Requires going thru forest in search of a man who might not exist. If true tho, immense knowledge about the root. ]```\n\nThree paths to pursue, the bandit indeed inferring that it would eventually lead him to the Root Crown - Someone dubbed extremely Dangerous By the all-knowing Vaazva. Not only would resolving this mystery free those branded by the root, but it very well could pacify the Root-Crown and lead the bandit to the Second Floor of the Vektet. This was not just important for the residents of the Exiles' Watch, but himself as well. Without monster food or healing magic, it was imperative for the Bandit to avoid grave injury or Death At all costs.\n\n \n```fix\n\"... Daheheh, well lucky for you doctor, I've already established connections with the brewer Sheto. Just about a half-hour before I came in 'ere, I left the Merrymans' tavern after establishin' a connection with him. I gave 'im some cash information about a brew similar yet different to the tea they drink down 'ere — Which, by the way, if it hits the shelves, I recommend giving them lotsa fluids with IVs and keepin' 'em well oxygenated... Speakin' from experience here, daheheh... But anyways, I'll kick outta here and talk to him first. I'll jus' take this to 'im and see what he says from there. If it turns out moot, then plan B. Is t' look for the guy while I'm on my way t' both towers.\"```\n\nKuouo said, taking the brew from Zocheiz's grasp and placing it safely within his inventory. \n\n```fix\n\"Should I like... Tell him the list of ingredients you put in this thing?\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ. ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇꜱᴛ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ꜰᴜɴᴄᴛɪᴏɴɪɴɢ ᴄᴜʀᴇ... ʏᴇᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇɴᴛʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴇꜰꜰᴏʀᴛ ᴘᴜᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ-ᴛᴏ-ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ...\"`\n\nThe doctor responded to Kuouo's initial comment on the nature of the elixir, which was, indeed, a product of many-hundreds of trials. He spoke with slight disappointment in his voice, yet still retained the essence of understanding towards his failure. Of course, being a researcher, and one who tinkered with many sorts of experimental methods, Zocheiz had become quite accustomed to the process of failing, failing, and failing again, endlessly, in pursuit of a Single Successful trial. That was the nature of research, after all — and there was truly nothing he could do about it... \n\n`\"ᴍ-ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀᴋɪɴᴅ??\"`\n\nThe doctor questioned confusedly in response to Kuouo's choice of words. It took a moment for the doctor to come to the realization that Kuouo genuinely stated something in Self-reference — he referred to his type of species as Monsters, so freely? What an odd thing to call oneself... To an outside viewer, it almost seemed degrading. Though, the doctor too understood that there were likely cultural differences between the two, and that the connotations could be well-different from what he was used to. Rubbing the back of his cloaked head, the doctor simply gave a nod, and continued:\n_ _\n\n`\"ʀɪɢʜᴛ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ.\"`\n\nThe doctor watched as Kuouo Carefully wrote down the many details he had shared with him! It was such a little thing, yet even that simple notion of coordination and attentiveness would go Miles Towards both pleasing and impressing the doctor, so easily moved by small gestures of appreciation. Further, it proved that Kuouo was all-the-more an elaborate and coordinated individual than Zocheiz had seen him to be, just moments earlier. The doctor gives a slight smile under his mask, speaking:\n\n`\"ᴀ ᴠᴇʀʏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɪᴅᴇᴀ... ɪ ᴀᴘᴘʟᴀᴜᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ꜱᴇᴇᴍ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪꜱ ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴏʀɢᴀɴɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ.\"`\n\nThe more he got to know Kuouo, the more camaraderie he could feel being established between the two. It was incredibly comforting to see a like-minded person on the First Floor, not only in his nature of empathy and pacifism, but too in the nature of an elaborated, calculated approach towards solving issues.\n\n\n\nBeneath his mask, the doctor would give the closest gesture to raising his brow that a slug-like individual could manage. Giving a quiet `hmm?`, the doctor seemed to process what Kuouo's latter statement entailed, carefully apprehending it and mentally noting it away for future use.\n\n`\"ᴏʜ? ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀɪᴢᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴀʟᴄʜᴇᴍɪꜱᴛ, ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ? ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ! ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀᴄᴄᴇʟᴇʀᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴄᴏɴꜱɪᴅᴇʀᴀʙʟʏ! ᴀɴᴅ... ᴀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴛ... ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ. ɪ'ʟʟ ᴛʀʏ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʟʟ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ, ɪ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ʜᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴀʟ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛᴏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ ʜɪᴍ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠɪɴᴄᴇ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ, ɪ'ᴍ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏᴏᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴜʀᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀɴ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟʏ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴍᴀɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴏʀᴏᴜɢʜʟʏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀʙᴏʟᴏɢʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ-ʙʀᴇᴡɪɴɢ.\"`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Alright! If that's the game plan, then so be it. I'll head down t' the Merrymens' and try to find out where he is. After I told 'im about concoctin' some whiskey, he basically stormed out the door like there was no tomorrow, daheheh! Somebody like Vaazva or that chick runnin' the tavern in his place oughta know.\"```\n\nKuo slid the notepad and pen back into his inventory, rubbing his paws together. It seems that even before stepping out of the door, the plan was coming all together. He stepped out of the cylindrical office before Zocheiz could say anything else, asserting his voice loud enough so the doctor could hear,\n\n```fix\n\"I'm outta here doc! I'll either be back with yer man OR a disappointin' progress report on how things went t' shit. Hopefully everything's gonna be cash money though, daheh.\"```\n\nKuo progressed through the hallway, his smile fading into a straight face as he approached the door. Waiting outside, there was still a displeased mercenary of legend wanting to talk to the bandit. As mentioned before, Kuouo didn't know the exact reason for the human's soured mood, but there was only so much he had said at that point. He came to the conclusion that Foster was indeed Hostile Towards treating the people of the First Floor without prejudice. ``'But why?'`` Kuo shook his head, internally sighing as he pushed through the door and looked to the mercenary hanging to his left.\n\n```fix\n\"Alright, Foster wasn't it? You wanted t' talk, so let's talk.\"```" }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "The man pushed himself off the wall as the bandit left the clinic, turning on his heel to face the goat. \"That's right, Foster,\" His piercing gaze did not let up, staring directly into the eyes of Kuouo, \"Tell me—what do you seek to gain out of risking your life for these creatures? Why not kill them if they attack you? You were hired to explore this place, weren't you? Shouldn't you kill whatever impedes your mission?\" The man paused, looking down towards the ground and thinking to himself.\n\nUpon first arriving here, Foster had determined that he'd only interact with the denizens of this... Place, if it meant assisting in his survival. First was with Che, and now that wretched slug; he had a bit of knack for lying, utilizing a mixture of obvious deception _and_ dubious deception. His clear as day lies only served to strengthen his true lies, allowing for the man to easily get along with Che and the slug at first. However, he'd now been faced with something he never expected to meet: a mercenary who was truly empathizing with these creatures. He shook his head, turning back to Kuouo.\n\n_ _\n\"First minute I stepped foot in this hell, those I came with were already dead. Cut down without compassion or sympathy by those knights. After that, I realized the people here don't care about me. Nor do they care about you. I won't force you to understand me, but I'm only looking out for you, Kuouo. Eventually, your attitude towards these creatures will wind up getting you killed,\" The mercenary sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets as he began to walk away, \"Can I expect to see you at the Root-Crown? The way to the second floor's through him. Neither you or I are gonna be able to take him alone, so I hope to see you there when whoever else is here makes the first strike,\" He would wait for a response from the bandit, before inevitably leaving Kuouo to his own devices with one last remark, \"Consider my advice, yeah? It'll save your life—promise.\" Foster had taken his leave of Kuouo, heading back to the plaza." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"...Maybe.\"```\n\nSheto spoke in response to Kuouo's initial comment on attaining a better method to protect himself. Maybe he had a point. It wasn't too uncommon for Sheto to find himself on the threatening end of a blade, during his time in the Exile's Watch... Though, to invest in purchasing and honing skills with a martial weapon would be... Well, a Waste of his time, Or so he once thought. Nonetheless, he would think it over. Maybe, Indeed.\n\nAs the two progressed towards the physician's clinic, he would respond to Kuouo's latter query:\n\n```cpp\n\"The Veirok is not for alchemists or for physicians to cull.\"\n\"There is a special sect in the Arue dedicated to that sole purpose. They are dubbed the Root-Tenders. It is their job to do so.\"\n\"Cynical men like myself ought to stray away from the work of a religious order. It never results well, to interfere in their domain.\"```\n\nThe alchemist spoke, as if from experience. Still following after Kuouo, he would remarkably manage to keep pace; he, was, indeed, one born with a body ready to fight. His maximum sprint speed was quite a sight to behold, though it seemed that those within the Vektet, in general, possessed above-average human traits.\n\n_ _\n\n\n\n`[...]`\n\n\n\n\n_ _\n\nSo the two enter the Physician's Clinic. Sheto briefly gazed about its interior, gleaning what he immediately could from its structure — architectural type, organization, scent, and all sort of data that he could gather in an initial moment of surveillance with the five senses. He was studious to his core, and, while with a most falsely-angry look when doing so, was genuinely curious of his surroundings. There was much to be gleaned, here... He hadn't ventured much beyond his own residence, or the Merrymens', after being personally scouted by Vaazva.\n\n```cpp\n\"Quite a pathetic state of affairs. Hm. I shouldn't expect much in terms of equipment. Perhaps I'd ought to bring this physician back to my workshop.\"```\n\nHe commented, slightly disappointed, yet overall unemphatic in his tone. Pacing forth, between the emptied beds of the clinic, he glared down with slight suspicion in his eyes as he continued. He would progress forth, nonetheless, his gaze hidden in the reflection of his slightly blue-tinted — or blue-Glowing(?) — spectacles." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "The slug-like doctor, who was briefly preoccupied with managing some of the equipment within his glassen shelves, swiftly turned to view the entrance, as he heard its door suddenly swing open. His gaze first landed on Kuouo, the one most familiar to him, yet it would quickly divert to Sheto, the much more preeminent man within the room, being both a stranger and a man who was a fair margin taller than both of the two.\n\n`\"ᴏʜ—ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ—ʙᴀᴄᴋ, ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴜᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ?\"`\n\nThe doctor spoke with some surprise in his tone, adjusting the mask set over his face as he swiftly attempted to apprehend the appearance and demeanor of Sheto. He looked... Very displeased! The notion was very alarming... Had something upset him? Had the bandit's diplomacy gone awry? Had Zocheiz, himself, done something wrong...?!\n\n`\"ɪ, ᴀʜ.. ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴʏ ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇ.\"`\n\nHe spoke in response to this precarious situation presented before him, lightly bowing towards the bandit to whom he spoke. Kuouo, himself, did not appear too displeased, yet Sheto very-much so did... Hopefully relations did not sour between the two. He earnestly needed Sheto's whole cooperation in this complicated process." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"Not really.\"```\n\nThe man curtly responded, as he entered the cylindrical doctor's-office space at the end of the clinic, his sharp glare shifting about its interior, analyzing the equipment and overall state-of-affairs. This, in sharp contrast to the shoddy hall that preceded it, was quite workable. Maybe he wouldn't have to return to his own workshop, after all.\n\n```cpp\n\"I have quite a few select words for your techniques in drug procurement. I suppose they can wait for later, however,\" He said, briefly shuffling through the doctor's drawers uninvited.```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ɪ... ꜱᴇᴇ.\"`\n`\"ᴛʜᴇɴ, ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴡᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴ—\"`\nThe doctor would question, before almost instantaneously being interrupted—" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"One moment. I'm acclimating to my work environment.\"```\n\nHe spoke, continuing to shuffle through the shelves, slowly gleaning all that he could from the doctor's equipment..." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "The slug-doctor awkwardly and slowly slid towards Kuouo, and leaned in for a whisper, seeing as Sheto would not spare him further a response...\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ... ꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ?\"`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Yeah, I don't fucks with religous bullshit all that much either.```\n\nKuouo, after increasing his speed little-by-little within 90 meters or so, breaks into a full sprint after seeing Sheto was more than capable of keeping up - Although holding back on the parkour stuff for ease of keeping track... Not that he doubted Sheto's abilities, of course. Something Sheto said did, however, cause the bandit to recall Zocheiz's third option: ``'The Root-Keepers.'`` Upon mentioning ``'Root-Tenders'``, the bandit couldn't help to wonder if they were the same.\n\n``'Maybe I'll ask 'em later...'``\n\nKuo pushes through the door to the physician's office, making a beeline to the cylindrical office placed in the back of the rickety-ish building, eager to show Zocheiz his man while Sheto noted his own observations of the building. Standing next to the slug doctor, Kuo patted the monster-like being on the back and waved.\n\n```fix\n\"Sheto! This is... Uh, this is the doc.```\n\nKuo chuckled, patting Zocheiz twice more... It seems that his impromptu introduction faultered, the bandit realizing only now that he never actually Learned The doctor's name. The alchemist steps into the office, immediately taking control of their new project and 'acclimating' to his new work environment. The slug slowly crawls over to Kuo, the bandit bending his knees slightly and leaning his ear closer to the doctor's whispered skepticism.\n\n```fix\n\"Mm-hmm. I went into his house man, it was like a damn labyrinthe. I know the dude looks kinda grumpy an' shit, but I think he's just got like... Resting gangster face or something.\"```\n\nKuo quietly snickered before telling the rest of his interaction with the alchemist.\n\n```fix\n\"I eventually find the room he's workin' in, and like, a quick misunderstandin' happens. He's cool, I'm cool. Dude has a cool ass visor or somethin' and was able t' sample the liquid I gave 'im. He said your brewin' kinda sucks, but he said he'd be able t' use his previous research on the third floor and apply it to yer formula!\"``` \n\nKuo was now just, whispering loudly - Perhaps somewhat eager to see what comes of these two minds working together." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ᴢᴏᴄʜᴇɪᴢ—ᴍʏ ᴅᴜᴇ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ, ɪ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍ ʏᴏᴜ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ. ᴢᴏᴄʜᴇɪᴢ. ᴀ ᴘʜʏꜱɪᴄɪᴀɴ.\"`\n\nZocheiz introduced himself in full for the first time, interjecting when Kuouo rested on the Is Of his introductory sentence. How unprofessional of him! The goat, himself, had made an introduction, and was most courteous when it came to conversation. Yet the one who should have shown more courtesy than any — the doctor, himself — failed to do so! Quite a blunder he had made... Well, he was sure that he wouldn't hold it to heart. There was, nonetheless, more pressing business to attend to, here.\n\n`\"ᴏʜ... ᴏʜ ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ɢ-ɢᴀɴɢꜱᴛᴇʀ... ᴜʜᴍ... ᴏᴋᴀʏ.\"`\n\nHe knew that Kuouo had no purpose to lie to him, yet could not help but, even in slight, have his doubts about the man named Sheto. He... Didn't seem the type. Yet, as soon as that thought entered his mind, the physician shook his head, tapping his six-digited right hand against his mask twice, as if to disdain himself. How could someone like himself judge by looks alone? He was the Last person Who could think something like that. And, furthermore, this was neither the place nor the time for such careless doubts. `No more,` The doctor determined. Even if it would later prove to be foolish, he would place his trust in even the angry-seeming man named Sheto. Especially now that he had been granted further description of his character by the furry bandit before him—yes, indeed, from how he spoke of him, he did indeed seem the type to be an alchemist.\n_ _\n\n`\"ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱᴋɪʟʟᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴇʟɪxɪʀꜱ. ꜱᴜᴄʜ ɪꜱ ᴡʜʏ ɪ ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ'ꜱ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʀɪᴛɪᴄɪꜱᴍ ɪꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪꜰɪᴇᴅ.\"`\n\nKuouo's repetition of Sheto's words were indeed true. Zocheiz' brewing did, indeed, Suck.\n\n`\"ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀꜰᴜʟ ɴᴇᴡꜱ, ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ... ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʜᴇ'ꜱ ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ, ᴇʀ... ᴀᴄᴄʟɪᴍᴀᴛɪɴɢ, ɪ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏꜱᴇ, ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇɢɪ—\"`" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"I'm finished.\"```\n\nSheto interjected before Zocheiz could continue his private conversation with Kuouo, some distance behind himself. Finally finishing his analysis of the workspace and the contents of Zocheiz' glass cabinets, he seemed slightly more confident in pursuing the process of brewing a cure for a Branded Exile within the midst of the otherwise-shoddy clinic. With a slight nod, he slowly lowered his glasses, tucking them away into a cloth and into his left pocket, before reaching for the visor — still hung at his neck — lifting it to his eyes, affixing it into position with a *`CLC, CLC, CLAC.`* With some swift and tidy adjustments of the visor's optic settings, the alchemist seemed quite prepared for the process to follow.\n\n```cpp\n\"I would first like to compare notes with you.\"\n\"You use a finely-grinded particulate form of the Veirok —\" He paused, before clarifying, \"...Blue root... Within your brew. Why?\"\n\n\"I personally pursued a cure. My processes were immensely different to yours. I rather intended to find a way to sever the root from the cognizance by temporarily rendering a patient comatose. It was an incredibly crude method, but with some refinement, it was a potentially powerful method to approach curing the Veirok's corrupting properties.\"\n\n\"You seem to be approaching it from a different angle, entirely. For what purpose do you use the root in your brew?\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ʀ-ʀᴇɴᴅᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴀᴛᴏꜱᴇ? ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ... ʜᴍ. ᴡᴇʟʟ, ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀʏ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ... ɴᴏ, ɪ ᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀɪᴛɪᴄɪᴢᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ. ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ.\"`\n\nThe doctor seemed incredibly leery of that method, entirely. It was difficult, but he had to suspend his disbelief in Sheto's words. He was, after all, one who was worthy of the title Alchemist, Even despite the fact he was inevitably exiled from the Third Floor. And, there was some merit to what he said, in the end. Zocheiz, himself, already apprehended the very basics of the blue root — it seemed to fester throughout the mind, feeding off of its waking, cognizant thoughts, as a twisted form of sustenance. Still, medicinally rendering an individual comatose... It certainly wasn't hard to see how that could go wrong.\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴇᴡ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴꜱᴛʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴜꜱᴇ ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ. ɪꜰ ɪ ᴀᴍ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛʟʏ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛ... ɪ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ. ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ꜰᴏʀɢɪᴠᴇ ᴍʏ ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴘᴛɪᴏɴ.\"`\n\nThe doctor subtly bowed, yet swiftly explained himself further.\n\n`\"ʙᴜᴛ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴄɪꜱɪᴏɴ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴍʏ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅꜱ... ɪ ᴅᴇʀɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴄᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏᴜʀᴛʜ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ... ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴋᴇᴇᴘᴇʀꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʀᴇᴄʟᴜꜱɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ — ᴀ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴀꜱ 'ʙᴀᴘᴛɪꜱᴍ'. ʟᴜᴄɪᴅɪᴛʏ ɪꜱ ɪɴᴅᴜᴄᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀꜱꜱ ɪɴɢᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀ ʜᴀʟʟᴜᴄɪɴᴏɢᴇɴɪᴄ ꜱᴜʙꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʟᴏɴɢꜱɪᴅᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴜʙꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ, ʟᴀʀɢᴇ Qᴜᴀɴᴛɪᴛɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛ ɪꜱ...\"`\n`\"...ᴛʏᴘɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ, ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ.\"`\n\n`\"ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ, ᴀᴄʜɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴀ ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ ᴏꜰ ᴇɴʟɪɢʜᴛᴇɴᴍᴇɴᴛ. ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴍɪɴᴅꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴇxɪꜱᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ ʙᴜʀʀᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴍɪɴᴅꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ, ʏᴇᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴇᴀꜱɪᴇʀ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜꜱᴛᴀɪɴ. ᴀ ᴛʏᴘᴇ ᴏꜰ ʙᴀᴘᴛɪꜱᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ, ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ, ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ.\"`" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "The alchemist deeply, Deeply Pondered, and while his face was hidden, that which remained of it to be seen would seem to suggest that his brow was thoroughly furrowed. He folded his arms, and placed his right hand to his chin, closing his eyes hidden beyond the visor as he continued to think. He hashed through the possibilities, matching the newfound information against the information he had already gathered, and used it to calculate a potential solution to the problem at hand. The result?\n\n*`AN EPIPHANY.`\n\n```cpp\n\"You may be a genius.\"```\n\nFor the first time in what felt like an eternity, Sheto learned something that genuinely intrigued him to his very core. He popped his neck, and gave a Slight smile,* Seldom seen.\n\nWithout further a word, the alchemist swiftly retrieved several of the identified chemical agents that he had spotted in the doctor's cabinet, as well as a handful of basic tools that were held within. Laying down a variety of liquids and empty flasks atop the workshop ahead of himself, Sheto, at breakneck pace, began to work away at Something... A Conclusion that he had reached. Each piece of the puzzle had been laid before him, the manifold research he had performed prior to this day bubbling to the surface of his memory, as his hands worked faster than they ever had before.\n\nHe'd make a proper damn brew, alright. And a brew that would do So much more Than get a few exiles high." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ᴏ-ᴏʜ, ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ?\"`\n\nThe doctor, who had, up until the point of Sheto's declaration, been anticipating perhaps words of criticism or of fault, was pleasantly surprised by words of praise. He placed his right hand to the back of his hooded head, rubbing it slightly, with a small laugh — yet his pleasedness would be swiftly interrupted by Sheto's Rapid action. Before even consulting the doctor, the alchemist had taken to brewing the cure before his very eyes! Just what in the world did he learn from that basic statement?!\n\n`\"ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴀɴʏ ᴀꜱꜱɪ—\"`" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"I work at my peak alone. You've given me assistance enough.\"```\n\nHe swiftly dismissed the offer for help, continuing to work at an incredible pace upon the surface of the workspace. A splash of a liquid here, a heating of a liquid there, the forming of an Entirely new chemical Here, all-the-while shaving small, fine particulates of leftover samples of the blue root into a small container. Then, perhaps one of the more surprising ingredients he would add to the mix — *Taarei,* Some of which he had on his person to be used as cash. He never thought he would be using it to resolve one of the longest-standing questions in his entire career.\n\nThe process would take quite some time, yet he had a straight-shot goal in sight. It was only a matter of time.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n`[. . .]`\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n```cpp\n\"Yes.\"\n\"This is the way.\"```\n\nA refined, luminescent, light-blue vial of liquid, glistening with the glow of the blue root, yet not the same in its azure hue. It was as if it had been purified — made Whole, Into something that it once should have been. The alchemist lifted it to his visor with deep pride roused within his chest, adjusting his optics so that he could stare at its glorious form with his bare eyes. It was the answer to his question, the solution to one of the greatest problems within the entirety of the Vektet...\n\n*A cure to the Veirok's corruption.\n\nIt hadn't been tested. It didn't need to be tested. That was something that the alchemist would never, ever, no matter how confident he was, in the past. But in this moment? He was certain.\n\n```cpp\n\"It's complete.\"\n\"...\"```\n\nSheto gave a deep sigh. Relief, absolution, and exhaustion... Now that there was the lack of the epiphany's driving force forwards, now that his greatest question had been answered, all that was left was weariness.\n\n```cpp\n\"I'll fill you in on the details of how to replicate it later.\"\n\"For now, however——I want to see it 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥.\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ɪ-ɪ... ʏ-ʏᴏᴜ... ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ!\"`\n\nThe doctor stared in utter amazement at the sheer speed in which Sheto had resolved the task at hand. This was something that he had dedicated dozens of years, if not Hundreds,* To pursue. The blue root was a subject of his study for so many many times, and, and... To see it solved in an instant? \n\nIt was unbelievable.\n\nAnd, even then... His happiness could not be greater. The doctor, who had found himself empathic for those who he once never would think himself to be emotional for, had seen the resolution to one of their greatest problems. The Branded Exiles, few in number, yet degraded and ever-wearied by the cruelty of the Ezer, as well as the many others within the Ark that had found themselves corrupted by the azure glow of the root...\n\nThey could know peace, for once in their lives.\n_ _\n\nThe doctor slowly approached the alchemist, and, with deep reverence and caution, plucked the vial from his presenting hands. The doctor stared down at the mixture with awe and interest, his eyes captivated by its strange, light-blue glow. Its form was yet a mystery, and it held an eternally-valuable purpose to the society of the Ark. It was the dose that would likely be granted to the Root-Crown, changing the First Floor forever... In a vial, before his eyes, was History.\n\nYet it was not history for him to make.\nThe doctor swallowed back his pride, closing his eyes briefly, as he slowly turned to the bandit behind him. How ironic was it to think — an intruder to the Ark being the instrument to whom its future owed its change for the better.\n\nThe doctor, with deep solemnity in his heart, extended the vial for Kuouo to take.\n\n`\"ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ... ᴍʏ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴋᴜᴏᴜᴏ.\"`\n\n`ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ.`\n\n`\"ʙʏ ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏʀ ʙʏ ꜱᴘᴇᴇᴄʜ... ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ. ɪ ʙᴇɢ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀᴅᴍɪɴɪꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙʀᴇᴡ ᴛᴏ ʜɪᴍ.\"`\n\n`ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ... ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɢʀᴀɴᴅɪᴏꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ. ɪ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴇᴀʀɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ.\"`\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ.\"`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo stood up from the waiting chair; the professionals had finished colliding their minds' work together with Sheto reeling from the effects of his pure insight. ``'And whaddya know? It does fuckin' glow!'``* He blinked multiple times, fixing his gaze towards the luminescent vessel in its wholeness. Compared to the cloudy, opague vials organized within the doctor's cupboard, there was no doubt about it — The brew *Radiated* Certainty.\n\nThe doctor picked the cure from Sheto's hands, admiring it with the caution and wonder of holding a prophetic newborn — In a sense, it was. Before Zocheiz even spoke, Kuo knew what to do. He spoke to the bandit with great earnest and reverence in his chest, granting the bandit the one-and-only — At least for now, — cure for the Veirok root. Kuo held it in his furred paws with nearly just as much caution before rummaging around the doctor's cabinet and plucking a stopper. With that, he seals the cure, pressing the cork down with his thumb before safely putting it into his INVENTORY.\n\n```fix\n\"Yeah, doc — Zocheiz. I gotcha.\"```\n\nKuouo took a deep breath, knowing that this was only the second step forward. Of course, the thought of a challenge exhilarated him, but this time, there was far more weight hinging on his success - Not only his life, but the lives of Sheto, Zocheiz — And everyone he has and hasn't met on the first floor thus far. Even Foster.\n\n```fix\n\"You guys are the pros at this, so first I jus' wanna say... Thanks. Second, I wanna know how I'm goin' to apply this. Do I apply the dose t' the root itself or do I have t' make this guy drink it? I'm practically goin' in blind into the throne room of a guy that's been told t' be one of the most dangerous people here on the first floor. If I can't talk 'im into it, then I gotta make sure I have a goal to the game plan set in mind. Everything else'll have t' be made on the spot.\"```\n\nKuouo turned towards Zocheiz, kneeling onto the ground and putting both paws on the doctor's shoulders, furrowing his brow into the most serious gaze the doctor had seen from the bandit. There wasn't any doubt about it - Kuo was deadset on going through with this mission.\n\n```fix\n\"If bad goes t' worse, I'll hafta make a tactical retreat if I'm still alive. Please doc, I don't have magical healin' food on me anymore, I need ya to be ready for me at the door in case I've failed but managed to live, alright? That's yer end of the bargain.\"```\n\nKuo stands up, pivoting towards Sheto.\n\n```fix\n\"And Sheto, if the doc doesn't have those liquids and antibiotics an' stuff you have, please support 'im with it. I need you two to be absolutely prepared for the worse case scenario.\"```\n\nHe says, only saying 'worse' because the 'worst' case scenario is that the bandit dies without being able to give the Root-Crown the serum. Of course, he had hoped for the best case - Being able to talk the Root-Crown into drinking it on his own accord - but,\n\n```fix\n\"Bein' in this type o' business, I gotta be sure I've got backup ready. Can I count on you two?\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "The slug-doctor gave an affirming nod as he witnessed Kuouo tuck away the vial into whatever sort of intriguing slip-space storage mechanism that was in play. He hadn't seen such interesting ways to store items before, and was almost slightly alarmed to see the vial vanish into nothingness, yet was confident that whatever spell or machination the bandit used to acquire such means simply originated from a world beyond what he, himself knew. Zocheiz was not familiar with the capacities of outsiders, that of those from any of the worlds beyond the Ark, itself — Foster, then Kuouo, were his first two experiences. How much there was left for him to learn... Ah, but that wasn't the most important thing to be focusing on right now.\n\n`ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ. ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴀᴅᴍɪɴɪꜱᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ʜᴀʀᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴏ ᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢʟʏ ɪᴍʙɪʙᴇ ɪᴛ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ... ɴᴏᴛ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇʟʏ ɪɴ ᴄᴏɴᴛʀᴏʟ ᴏꜰ ʜɪꜱ ꜰᴀᴄᴜʟᴛɪᴇꜱ. ꜰᴏʀᴄɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ɪɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴇꜰꜰɪᴄɪᴇɴᴛ ᴡᴀʏ ꜰᴏʀ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ʙᴇ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢ—\"`\n\nThe doctor spoke, briefly elucidating for Kuouo, hoping to smoothly segue into a comment from the brewer of the cure, himself: Sheto. However, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by none other than the man that he intended to shift focus to. It saved him some time, but it was a tad rude..." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"So long as it enters the Root-Crown's bloodstream, it doesn't matter. Ingestion or injection are both viable methods.\"```\n\nThe alchemist interjected, slowly removing the visor from his face with a swift series of `clics` And `clacs` That resounded from several dials and clasps upon the helm-like apparatus about his eyes. Sliding it down along his neck again, Sheto rubbed his fingers on either side of the ridge of his nose, his fingers pressing lightly against his closed eyes. Reasonably wearied by the extensive session of deep-thought, analysis, and brewing that he had been processing through for quite some time, he slowly paced beyond the dimly-lit cylindrical office, beyond Zocheiz and Kuouo, pacing towards one of the vacant beds within the clinic. Before he continued, he would take a well-earned rest, easing his body atop one of the beds as he sat down.\n\n```cpp\n\"Despite that, the dosage is absolutely relevant. 𝓥- has given me rudimentary descriptions of the Root-Crown. He is very large.\"```\n\nSlouched forwards whilst sat down, Sheto recollected some of the basic information that he had acquired from Vaazva some time ago. Intertwining the fingers of each of his hands as he clasped them together, the alchemist would close his eyes once again.\n\n```cpp\n\"There are injective needles in the physician's cabinet. Use those, if it does come down to it.\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ʏᴇꜱ. ʀɪɢʜᴛ, ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ.\"`\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ. ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛʟʏ. ɪ... ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ɪɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ꜱᴏ... ᴛʀʏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙᴇꜱᴛ.\"`\n\nA pause, and then came Kuouo's request. A heartfelt one, an understandable one, and one that indeed spoke to the doctor's empathic nature. The doctor took a deep breath in, his throat tensening. He gulped down the fear of potential failure, and nodded his head in response to the bandit's appeal.\n\n`\"ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴅᴏ ᴍʏ ʙᴇꜱᴛ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴀ ᴘʜʏꜱɪᴄɪᴀɴ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ. ɴᴏ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ, ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴠᴇ, ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙʀɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴅɢᴇ.\"`\n\nHe reassured, not only to Kuouo, but to himself. The thought of the plan failing, after all this, was indeed scary. And if Kuouo were to be critically injure... The guilt that would weigh down on the doctor's shoulders would be tremendous. He was a stranger, an outsider, and one he had only known for but the lesser half of two-to-three hours, yet he had proven himself a noble person, and a reliable ally. Now, he could not forgive himself if he saw him in a state in which he could be saved, yet failed to do so. The doctor's loyalty was deep, even if only founded a short while ago." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"...\"```\n\n...How long has it been?\nSince someone relied on him, that was.\n\nVaazva was the first in many, many years... But his desire went no further than a business proposition.\nOn the Third Floor... Could he even recall? Was there anybody?\nOn the First Floor, in exile... There were, definitely, none...\nWas there, anywhere, anybody?\nAnybody who made such an earnest request?\nWhat was it, the last thing that he had been requested of...?\nInformation? Services? Grunt work? Right, there were those who sought out his strength and his experience. Traits to be employed; put to work in one way or another.\n\nBut there was never one who requested his Support In such a manner. \nThere was never one who truly relied on him, as a comrade would lean on the shoulder of another comrade.\n\n```cpp\n\"...Yeah. Yeah...\"\n\n\"...You can.\"```\n\nSheto clasped his jaw, and hid his mouth in speaking those words. These days—no, just in these very moments, it felt like many things he knew were changing. In himself, and in the entirety of the Vektet. \n\n```cpp\n\"Go on, then.\"\n\"𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.\"```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```bash\n\"𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.\"```\n\n... Kuouo's face released its tension, his mouth cracking with a smirk. To say that he was at ease, however, was a massive overstatement. From that statement alone, it made the bandit realize there was a gravity in his chest, one not from the selfishness of protecting his own way of life — The same that motivated him to fight against Syyth and the order — but rather...\n\n\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ.\"\n\nThe bandit recalled the doctor's words in his mind. For once in his life, he was putting his life on the line for something that didn't affect his profession or the people he surrounded himself with. \n\n```fix\n\"Daheh, yeah. I'll go for it. Either that, or I'll die tryin'.\"```\n\nKuo lightly smiled, seemingly not worried about the latter part of his statement. With Sheto's directions, he makes his way to the cupboard and snatches a pawful of needles, storing them next to the all-important vial. Without another word, he flourishes his cloak and makes his way down the shoddy corridor.\n\nUpon exiting the clinic, the bandit knew it was time...\n\n*The game plan.\n\nHis trusty notepad shows its pages once again, the bandit looking back at everything he hadn't written down. Indeed, the easiest course of action was to make the Root-Crown ingest the brew, but everything he's learned about them so far has implied that it was Dangerous* To even approach them as an outsider, much less ingest a strange liquid. With that in mind, he took an injective needle and stuck it through the sponge-y wooden cork keeping the *Veirok Cure* Locked inside the vial, preemptively pulling the liquid into the syringe. He places everything back where it needed to go, looking back towards his notepad.\n\n```ini\n[ 1. Big guy, most likely need to deliver cure in one whole shot. Multiple syringes increase risk of them breaking and messing up the dosage. ] He makes a quick doodle of himself dual-wielding needles and crosses it out with a big 'X'.\n\n[ 2. Sheto said earlier that the roots can't be killed thru \"Conventional means.\" If this guy can control roots, I probably will have no other option other than 2 dodge. ]\n\n[ 3. Look out for Otaaraa, u havent seen them yet. ]\n```\n\nKuouo pondered for a bit more, nothing else coming to mind. As he said to Zocheiz before, everything else will have to be made up on the spot. The notepad disappears into his storage, Kuo setting his eyes on the overgrown tower standing tall in the distance. He takes a deep breath, fiery mana pooling under his feet once more...\n\n**With everything set, the HERO makes a beeline for" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "By the time he had reached the clinic, his feet practically dragged across the ground, his breathing had become laboured, he was finally starting to notice the weight of Kuouo and his injuries.\n```diff\n- \"Alright,.. Thats enough of tha', 1 leg is enough to hobble through the door.\" -\n```\nWith a great effort he put the bandit down, but still allowed him to lean on his shoulder for support as he dragged towards the door.\nHe went to grab the handle, before remembering he was down an arm.\nHe sighed\n```diff\n- \"Can you get tha'?\" -\n```" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "The door swings open, and the first sight that the two are greeted with is the image of Sheto, who seems relatively well-rested, compared to his somewhat exhausted state following his several-moments-long epiphany that allowed him to conjure the ability to craft the cure which Kuouo utilized. The man with a resting scowl that would suggest aggression yet possessed no emotion further from such an appearance adjusted his glasses as he gave a long glare toward the one who shouted, lifting a single brow and opening his eyes wide as he heard the news to follow.\n\nAdjusting some equipment that he appeared to be tinkering with on the metal desk at the very end of the clinic, and within the doctor's workspace, he would finish up his business and swiftly turn to view the two who entered, and what could almost faintly be described as a smile appeared on his face." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "Beside the quite taller and more imposing silhouette that was Sheto, was the significantly shorter and more modest figure of the slug-like doctor, Zocheiz, who seemed to be studying alongside Sheto at the desk upon which they both seemed to be working fervently before the pair of outsiders had entered the clinic's midst. The doctor swiftly wriggled to turn to view the two, and placed a single of his slightly wetted hands atop his clean mask, adjusting it, as he, too, finished his business up with whatever project the pair had set their sights on following their creation of the cure.\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɪɴᴊᴜʀᴇᴅ—\"`\n\n—but he was a doctor first and foremost, and could not help but notice the two's less-than-tip-top shape with a single glance of his trained eye. Still, he would nod, and approach slightly as Kuouo continued, and it could certainly be said that, even without visual confirmation, he smiled beneath his mask.\n\n`\"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ!\"`\n\nThe doctor continued to approach, still concerned of the two's less-than-tip-top shape, apparently taking mental notes of the most apparent injuries that he could identify on either of their persons'. He held his right hand close to his breast and slightly tucked in his doctorly garb...\n\n...And yet, would immediately stop, upon Kuouo's mentioning of a particular name.\n\n`\"...\"`" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "Perhaps one's judgment on the tells of Sheto's facial expressions would be skewed due to how he persistently and unconsciously carried himself as though he were angry, yet the notion of shock — and almost the nature of Animosity* — reared itself as Kuouo spoke upon what was, to the Exile's Watch, one of the most Despised titles in its long history.\n\n```cpp\n\"What...\"\n\"Did you just say?\"```\n\nHe questioned, his brow exceptionally furrowed, his posture affirmed as he stared forth, taken aback by Kuouo's mentioning of His Name, and attributing His Name to the Root-Crown, Of all people, no less.\n\n`Aazkue.`" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "The doctor glanced over his shoulder as he heard the tones of anger enter Sheto's voice, and swiftly turned back to Kuouo, who had lain himself atop the patient's bed. His eyes shifted back-and-forth between the two twice, before he raised both hands, shaking his head in an attempt to shake the shock that had overtaken him in the moment that Kuouo made such an outrageous claim.\n\n`\"\"ᴘ... ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍɪꜱᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ... ᴏʀ... ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍɪꜱʜᴇᴀʀᴅ.\"\"`\n`\"\"ᴀ..ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ɪꜱ... ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. ꜱʟᴀɪɴ, ʜᴜɴᴅʀᴇᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ, ʙʏ ᴜᴋᴜᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ... ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴄᴏᴜɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ.\"\"`\n\nZocheiz spoke half in utter disbelief that what Kuouo said could be true, and half in sheer anxiety that what he said Might Be true. Still taking measures to tend to Kuouo — retrieving medical supplies and a flask filled with a tonic — he moved effortlessly, as if unconsciously, despite his extraordinarily nervous tone." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "Sheto slightly clenched his teeth, squinting harsh at Kuouo — not angry at Him, But at what he had Said. The alchemist would take a moment to compose himself, sighing harshly, as he turned to face the countertop again.\n\n```cpp\n\"No, it's possible.\"\n\"In all honesty, it would make more sense that Aazkue survived, and that the Knights of Sol forged their account.\"\n\"The Eclipse Guardian and the Solar Guardian were bound by more than blood...\"```\n\nHe shook his haid, closing his eyes, and seemingly took a moment to calculate the answers to the questions before himself. His pause would be prolonged, and enough so that both Zocheiz and Kuouo would be granted a long while to speak before he continued." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"\"ᴍᴍ.. ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ.\"`\n\nA bit of work to adjust Kuouo's splint, to improve it, and to ease the pain with some medicine procured ahead of time by Sheto, and Kuouo was a long way further on his recovery than he would have been without the doctor's assistance. Six digits on each of his hands, the slug-like doctor possessed an incredible dexterity and proficiency in the art of medicine honed for a time well-over what many humans could even hope to Live, Let alone Study.\n\nThe physician shifted his sights toward Cumhall, and would swiftly — without warning — begin to take measures to tend to his wounds, as well. A miracle-worker, he was, and even moreso with the assistance of Sheto's brews, but still, he could not help but to continue worrying about what the outsider had said. \n\n`\"ɪ... ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ. ʀɪɢʜᴛ.\"`\n`\"ɪ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏʀ ᴅᴇɴʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴏᴛɪᴏɴ, ʙᴜᴛ...\"`\n`\"ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ʜᴇ ɪꜱ... ʜᴀᴛᴇᴅ, ɴᴏ. ᴅᴇꜱᴘɪꜱᴇᴅ. ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ.\"`\n\nThere was a brief pause in his words, as he shook his head in disapproval.\n\n`\"...ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴏɴꜱɪʙʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴇꜰᴜʟ ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴇxɪʟᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴘᴜɴɪꜱʜᴍᴇɴᴛ. ᴇᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ʟɪꜰᴇ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴜꜰꜰᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ.\"`\n*`\"ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɴᴀʟ ꜱɪɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ'ꜱ ʟɪꜰᴇ.\"`\n\n`'ɪꜰ... ɪꜰ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀʏ ɪꜱ ᴛʀᴜᴇ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ɪꜱ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇɴ...\"`\n\n`\"ᴡᴇʟʟ... ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴀɢɪʟᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴᴇᴅ ᴋɪɴɢ — ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇᴠɪʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ — ᴇꜱᴛᴀʙʟɪꜱʜᴇᴅ... ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ\"`\n\n`\"ᴅᴇꜱᴛʀᴏʏᴇᴅ.\"`\n\nThe doctor deeply sighed as he finished tending to both Kuouo and Cumhall's wounds. The work which he completed within mere seconds rivaled that of which would take modern doctors several minutes to perform." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He shuffled his way into the building, dropping his rifle, the VARET and various other pieces of equipment onto the nearest surface.\n```diff\n- \"3, ugh, broken ribs, more s- spraint, couple toes n' a finger.\" -\n```\nHe pulled back various levels of armour, metal alloy, ceramic, Kevlar and allowed the doctor to attend to his wounds. He grimaced and took another swig of alcohol, before putting it away for later.\n```diff\n- \"Arm was.. Already gone, Nice to uh, meet you by the way.\" -\n```\nHe listened intently as the 2 strangers discussed the gravity of the situation, more valuable intel but there was something that did not sit right.\n```diff\n- \"So, you're tellin' me, you, developed a cure specifically for this guy, then you cure him, but you were not aware of who he was?\" -\n```\nHis manner of speech was formal again now before the strangers.\n```diff\n- \"Why?.. What was the point in curing this, random guy?, and uh unrelated side note; you wouldn't happen to have any tools around here for uhm, intricate work.\" -\n```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuo lightly shut his eyes, a sigh of bliss escaping from his snout as he felt the near-immediate pain relief from the fruits of Sheto and Zocheiz's hard work and loyalty. He smiled, glad that he was able to entrust the two with any injuries he dragged back along with him. Finished with his short mental break, he sits up in his bed, his smile dampening the more he read the room. Zocheiz especially displayed an air of anxiety, an uncertain tone for what the future held —* ``'But the Root-Crown was cured, right? Shouldn't we be celebrati-'`` \n\nAnd that's when the words of both caretakers finally registed in the bandit's mind.\n\n```fix\n\"So yer tellin' me we've cured the first guy — Someone who, and tell me if I got this right — tried to assassinate someone really important and is responsible for people getting exiled in the first place...?\"```\n\nKuouo deeply sighed, hanging his head. If the exiles despise Aazkue for his actions and the magnitude of the butterfly effect it brought forth for the centuries to come, then what change was to come forth? He shook his head, certainly not thinking it was going to be anything for the better.\n\n```fix\n\"If ya really think about it, I'd say the state Aazkue was in before he got branded was a lot worse than the quick fate o' death. I dunno why these 'Knights o' Sol' would want to hide that fact, but usin' him as an eternal guardian — an 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 pawn branded by that shitty root to protect the ascent worked out for the most part — They just didn't think anyone was smart enough down 'ere to actually get rid of it. For me though, that jus' brings the question... Why lie about it? Who's this Ukue responsible for slayin' him?\"```\n\nKuouo slid off the bed, now standing up straight with the ability to put a bit of weight on his fractured leg thanks to the massively improved splint and painkillers. He stood there for a moment, putting his paws into his pockets before addressing the elephant in the room last.\n\n```fix\n\"And with Aazkue awake, what does this mean for the Exile's watch? His legs are shattered, he's confused, and doesn't know a damn thing goin' on... 'Spose that's what happens when yer asleep for centuries. Dude was almost in a frenzy 'bout it, askin' for some 'Vareektaak' and...```\n\nThe bandit paused, shifting towards the slug doctor with a furrowed brow. He knew the doctor wouldn't be too eager for what he was about to tell him.\n\n```fix\n\"Doc, I mentioned you in passing. He... He wants t' see you.\"```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "Broken ribs, broken ribs... Zocheiz had memorized the treatment for this well. Taking care to note the injuries that Cumhall described, the doctor would briefly return to the glass cabinet within the office at the back of the room, withdrawing several tools appropriate for the situation, before swiftly returning to the patient and tending to his wounds. Swiftness and intricacy found its way in equal parts into the doctor's works, and, with some finesse, he would get to work on patching up the outsider without even having first heard his name. This was, simply, how he saw a physician should act — outsider or not, Cumhall was one who was injured, and one who he could assist. Assist him he would, and to the best of his ability.\n\n`\"ᴡᴇʟʟ... ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴇʀʟʏ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ, ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ, ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ, ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ...\"`\n\n`\"ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ... ᴡᴇʟʟ, ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ.\"`\n\nThe doctor elucidated, a renewed stability found within his tone of voice, as he seemingly began to compose himself following the utter shock of the news that Kuouo brought. Continuing to tend to Cumhall's wounds, he would have him in a state much better than the one he was in before — though, even as skilled as the doctor was, nothing he was capable of could instantly repair all three of his broken ribs. The pain, however, he could nullify, and speeding up the recovery process vastly was very much so possible.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪɴ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜɪꜱ ᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ꜰᴀᴄᴜʟᴛɪᴇꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʀᴇɴᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ ɪɴᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴍᴜꜱᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴇɴᴛɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ʜᴇ ɢʀᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴡɪꜱᴅᴏᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ. ɪ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ʜɪᴍ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜꜰꜰᴇʀ.\"`\n\nContinuing in his explanation, the doctor slowed his words, and slightly bowed his head, briefly pausing. That Was The goal, and it Is Now the past. He had succeeded in his endeavors, for the most part, but, quite to his dismay, he could not celebrate over such a tremendous achievement.\n\n`\"...ʏᴇᴛ... ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴏꜰ ᴀʟʟ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ... ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ, ᴀꜱ ɪᴛ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴅᴇꜱᴄʀɪʙᴇᴅ... ɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴀʟʟ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴜᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ʜᴀꜱ ᴀᴄᴛᴇᴅ.\"`\n\nFinishing up the wound-tending, the doctor slowly slithered away from the outsider and back toward his workstation, commenting in passing in response to Cumhall's request:\n\n`\"...ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏᴏʟꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʙɪɴᴇᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʏᴘᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ꜰɪɴᴇ-ᴛᴜɴɪɴɢ ᴍᴀᴄʜɪɴᴇʀʏ. ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ.\"`\n\n—so he spoke, formerly taking note of Cumhall's intriguing technological devices and mechanical limbs which instantly caught his eye. Having studied on the Third Floor, origin of all mechanical creations and technological developments, as well as serving as the home of the very architects who fabricated the Ark, In its entirety, the slug-doctor was, at the very least, basically familiar with these sorts of devices, even as alien and complex as they seemed.\n\nThe doctor again adjusted the pristine mask set over his face, closing his eyes and furling his lip with some anguish over the points that Kuouo brought up. Still recognizing that now was no time for idle panicking or groveling over the perplex and unfavorable nature of the circumstances before them, the doctor would cast aside his hesitation, and conjure up as coherent and swift an answer as he could.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ. ᴇxɪʟɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴʟʏ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ, ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɪᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ'ꜱ ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɴᴀʟ ꜱɪɴ. ᴛᴏ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀᴇ ᴄʜᴇɪᴛ ᴇᴢᴇʀ'ꜱ ʟɪꜰᴇ... ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʙʟᴀꜱᴘʜᴇᴍʏ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴜᴇ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ... ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴᴛʀɪᴄᴀᴄɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ'ꜱ ʟᴏʀᴇ ɪɴ ᴀᴄᴄᴏᴜɴᴛꜱ. ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴀᴄᴛꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴀ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴄʀᴀᴘꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇxᴛ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴄᴀᴠᴇɴɢᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀᴍᴏᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ... ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ, ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀꜱᴛ.\"`\n\n...So he spoke, taking a deep breath, before giving a long-winded, deep explanation on all the facts which he had painstakingly aligned up until this moment. This was, for most people in the Ark, Common knowledge, however — for the tale of Aazkue's rebellion and subsequent destruction at the hands of the omnipotent Ezer Was spread throughout the midst of the Ark Was a warning to all those who would think likewise to disobey against their Lord. For Zocheiz, it was no different; for those within the Exile's Watch, however, this common knowledge was oft not spread, especially to those who had been born within its midst, severed from all the rest of the diverse cultures of the Ark.\n_ _\n\n`\"ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ʜᴜɴᴅʀᴇᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ, ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴛʀᴀʏᴀʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏʟᴀʀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ, ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀᴇ ᴄʜᴇɪᴛ ᴇᴢᴇʀ ʙᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ʜɪᴍ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍʙᴀᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ —...ᴏᴜʀ— ʟᴏʀᴅ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄʏ, ʜᴀᴅ ɪɴꜱᴛᴇᴀᴅ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴅʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ʙʀᴀɴᴅ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱᴄᴏᴜʀɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴅᴇᴍɴꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ... ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴍɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴍʙᴜᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ.\"`\n\n`\"ʜɪꜱ ꜱʜᴀᴍᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ, ꜰᴏʀ, ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏʟᴀʀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ, ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇᴍ, ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ...\"`\n\n`\"...ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴜʀɪᴛʏ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴇʟꜱᴇ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴏʏᴀʟᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ, ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴘᴀʟᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀʀɪꜱᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴇᴀʀ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴅᴇꜰɪʟᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ꜱᴏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ꜱᴘʟɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ, ꜱʜᴀᴛᴛᴇʀɪɴɢ ɪɴᴛᴏ ꜰʀᴀɢᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʟᴏꜱᴛ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ʀᴇᴍᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ʟᴏʏᴀʟ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ꜱʟᴀɪɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʟᴇꜰᴛ ʜᴇʟᴅ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴍɴᴀɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘʟɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ʙᴇɢɢᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴇᴇᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ. ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ꜰᴏʀɢɪᴠᴇɴᴇꜱꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ꜱᴡᴇᴀʀ ᴏᴀᴛʜꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇꜰᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ɢᴀᴛᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ, ᴜɴᴛᴏ ᴇᴛᴇʀɴɪᴛʏ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏᴀᴛʜ, ᴜᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴏᴜɴɢᴇʀ ᴛᴡɪɴ ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴᴇᴅ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʜɪꜱ ᴠᴏʏᴀɢᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜᴇ, ᴛᴏᴏ, ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ʜɪᴍꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴊᴜᴅɢɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘʟɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ'ꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴜᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʀᴀᴢᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴍɴᴀɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ ʙᴜɪʟᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ'ꜱ ʀᴜʟᴇ, ᴄᴏɴꜰʀᴏɴᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪꜱ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ʀᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ꜱᴇʟꜰ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇɴ ʙᴇʜᴇᴀᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴜᴋᴜᴇ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍʙᴀᴛ.\"`\n_ _\n\n`\"...ᴛʜɪꜱ, ᴀʟʟ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ, ɪꜱ ꜰᴀʟꜱɪꜰɪᴇᴅ. ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ... ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ.\"`" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"...Like I said,\" Sheto chimed in for the first time after a prolonged moment of quietness,\n\"The account of the Knights of Sol is probably inaccurate.\"\n\"Ukue and Aazkue were accounted to be two of the same blood, order, and soul.\"\n\"Twin sons born from the most virtuous soul known to life before the Ark, the Hero of Sol, Eikokue...\"\n\"I'm terribly doubtful that their bond was weak enough to be broken by something of that nature.\"```\n\nLeaned against the wall within the workspace of the clinic, the alchemist remained with his arms folded and his eyes glaring with a slightly angered intent at the wall opposite himself. Everything about this situation was dicey, and, even if perhaps with retrospect understandable, was chaotic and worrisome in the nature of its origin. As one might expect from a person who often works with chemical reagents and alchemical brewing, unexpected and uncontrollable factors were, to Sheto, most despised. He wasn't so thoroughly intertwined with personal plots of revenge nor so childishly emotional as to shift his blame for being exiled upon the name of Aazkue, and so he did not wish to escalate the state of the Exile's Watch into all-out war against him. Still, the alchemist still could not help but be irked by the fact that the Root-Crown was someone with such a tarnished reputation as him.\n\nSheto gave a sigh, and let the doctor continue in his explanation." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"...ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴀɴᴅ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀᴇᴅ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ...?\"`\n\nZocheiz pondered, and, himself, gave a deep and exasperated sigh over the whole debacle unfolding before himself. Kuouo's question was indeed valid, and valid to such a degree that the doctor himself did not have an answer to give. He shook his head lightly, slowly slithering in an idle pace about the room, thinking, thinking fast, and combing through all the worrisome facets of the matter before him.\n\n`\"ɪ... ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜɢɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋᴇʀʏ ɪꜱ... ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀ ᴠᴀʟɪᴅ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ, ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ...\"`\n\n`\"ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ... ᴀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ. ᴛᴏ... ꜱᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ...\"`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "```fix\nIn the moment that those words were spoken, the presence that Kuouo and Cumhall could feel watching over them suddenly spiked in intensity, before dissipating entirely.```" }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "...\n\n`\"...ʜᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴛꜱ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴍᴇ, ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀʏ... ʏᴇꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ... ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʟɪɴɪᴄ. ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ʜɪᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ... ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏᴜᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪꜰ ʜᴇ ɪꜱ... ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴀɴᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜱᴇᴇᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ, ɴᴏᴡ ᴄᴜʀᴇᴅ...\"`\n\nThere were a plethora of emotions held deep within the shaky tone of the doctor's voice. Fear, anticipation, dread, slight guilt, hopefulness, doubt... Swirling, in a terrible blend of indeterminateness, which Zocheiz himself could not coordinate. He was a physician, and so sought to help as many people as he could, but could He Truly talk through this? Did He Possess charisma more than someone such as Vaazva, enough so to convince an elder Guardian of the First Floor to dramatically change his viewpoint? Did He Hold such authority that He Could take the fate of the Exile's Watch into his own hands? Did He Hold the wit and manner of speech capable of bringing people's dreams of peace and freedom to fruition? Was He, At all, Worthy Of this burden?\n\n...He began to doubt many things." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "The doctor, blessed with an intricate six fingers on each hand, impressed the bandit with ease. Watching the doctor work on the injured man's ribs without doubt or prejudice hindering the immense speed and quality he delivered made the goat even more appreciative of the slug and the link they had established in such little time. Truly, someone Kuo could rely on...\n\nZocheiz finished up his work on Cumhall with newfound balance in his voice, reminding Kuouo of the so-called leadership and words of enlightenment that would slip out the Root-Crown from time-to-time with an added disbelief that it was Aazkue this whole time.\n\n```fix\n\"Yeah, that's true ain't it? What with the ferocity and mindlessness Aazkue attacked us with, I'd completely forgotten that it's been said he does that every once in a while. I gotta say, I wish I'd gotten approached with some of that wisdom... Not that I think he has much to say that matters t' me, but it woulda definitely made things a little easier on my body...\"```\n\nKuouo lightly groaned, releasing the pressure off of his legs after taking a seat in one of the guest chairs lined up against the wall within the cylindrical office. The slug confirmed Kuo's assumption, the fact that exilement's existence was solely from the direct actions of Aazkue's attempt to take the life of this 'Taae Chit Ezer', a being inferred to be of absolute reverence within the entirety of the arc. He looked up at the slug, awaiting the doctor's further exposition of the fall of the Solar Guardian.\n\n. . .\n\nIt was, angering to say the least. For Aazkue to speak out against the Veirok root-brand, whether it be through actions or words, and to be completely betrayed by everyone he thought to be loyal to him... Kuo didn't blame the Knights of Sol acting the way they did, for being branded by the root is truly a terrifying fate worse than the release of death. Burning eternally in Hell was uncertain, but this - The Veirok Root - was absolute in bringing about excrutiating suffering, ringing true in the Root-Crown's harrowing cry in pain. It once again quaked Kuo down to his very SOUL.\n\n```fix\n\"... Yeah, inaccurate or just downright lyin'. Sheto's got some truth to his word. I'm sure just like it is in my world, twins are known t' have an almost unbreakable link with each other, even to the point where they're able to complete each other's sentences with ease. If their twin-sibling dies, it leaves 'em empty, never the same again... I dunno much about this Ukue, but I'd figure he'd have trouble killin' his brother... You might as well be dead when branded by the root anyways.\"```\n\nKuouo shifted his eyes back onto the ground, leaving Zocheiz to address the four-meter guardian in the room - `` ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ...?`` It certainly left the doctor wordless for a bit, pondering for a solution. Eventually, the slug conjured something up, a solution that didn't Exactly Line up with Zocheiz's honest ideals in order to cool the possible inferno that this information could spark within the Exile's Watch.\n\n```fix\n\"A secret, huh?...```\n\nKuouo clapsed his paws together, thinking on it for a second before shaking his head. Although the doctor suggested the idea in good faith, Kuo knew it was far from an ideal solution... Though he didn't have any better ideas himself. Gladly though, the doctor was willing to make the trek in order to speak with Aazkue.\n\n```fix\n\"Sorry, doc. Don't think that's gonna work. Like I said before, you got a thirteen foot beheamoth with shattered legs who doesn't even know what the Exile's Watch is... The town under his rule was razed, but he still doesn't have a clue... Whatever happened in the past, centuries ago, is the only thing he can recall. Hell, I'm sure you saw the light from that hell of a spell... What was it, 'Quetaa Ezuek?' To those who know, he's already made his presence kno—\"```\n \nSpeaking of presence, the eyes weighing on Kuo's back dig deeper, causing the fur on his back stand straight. His eyes widen, the bandit hastily standing up from his seat and looking around before the feeling disappeared without a trace. The bandit beared his fangs, growling and kicking the chair halfway down the hallway with his bad leg.\n\n*```fix\n\"HEY, SHOW YERSELF YOU FUCKIN' COWARD!\"```\n\nHis voice echoed down the shoddy corridor to no avail. He clenched his fists, the ache radiating through his leg once more - A subconscious punishment for mingling the instinct earlier with fatigue and pain.\n\n```fix\n\"Dammit, I shoulda known... I felt it earlier but... 𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒈𝒉𝒉!!\"```\n\nKuouo clenched his paws tightly, smoke smoldering from his palms as he controlled his heavy breaths. After barely managing to compose himself, he turned to Zocheiz with a frustrated look in his eyes.\n\n```fix\n\"Huff... If you wanna talk with Aazkue, we better do it 𝙣𝙤𝙬. I'm more than one hundred percent sure someone tailed us and just listened to everything we just said. I shoulda fuckin' known, I was just too damn occupied with all of this... Damn it!\"```" }, { "author": "starlight_glimmy", "message": "```diff\n- \"You ask so many questions, about what this means for the watch, the VEKTET as a whole but, why does any of it matter?\" -\n```\nHe began to fix his armour back into place as he spoke making careful not to upset his injuries.\n```diff\n- \"If this thing is an Ark as everyone says, then surely nothing in here matters, it has served its purpose has it not?, the purpose of an Ark is to protect life in the face of a calamity, and then once the danger has passed to release said life into the new world, you have reached the new world, so why does no one depart?\" -\n```\nHe stood up, stretching and massaging his muscles and picking up his belongings as they prepared to leave.\n```diff\n- \"What, or more likely, Who is stopping you from leaving this place, this squallor that you fester in and stepping into our world, i mean yeah to be fair its not that much better but theres a bit more breathing room.\" -\n```" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"Most people would think that.\"```\n\nSheto spoke, shifting his gaze toward the second of the two outsiders — Cumhall — and nodded slightly, responding to the second of his three statements. Most people would think that, indeed.* He agreed, in part, with what he was implying, yet continued further in explanation as to why such an approach wouldn't exactly be that easy. If it were... Hell, the Exile's Watch wouldn't have a single soul in it following the first few years of its creation. Who in their right mind would continue living in this sunless land of severance and torment of their own volition? \n\n```cpp\n\"The majority of the Watch's population would probably agree with you. The Ark provides little benefit to any of the First Floor's residents. Nearly everyone here would flee at the first given opportunity.\"\n\n\"The issue then lies in the fact that we are incapable of leaving.\"```\n\nThe alchemist spoke, tapping his fingers with a slight, yet understandable frustration against his arm. Lifting himself up off of his leaned position against the wall, he pivoted to directly face the other three within the clinic, briefly pacing forwards, so as to close the distance and make his voice easier to hear. \n_ _\n\n```cpp\n\n\"Most are familiar with the fable of all-binding vows — the Ezer is divine, and thus all vows made unto him are contractually binding to the soul. Each resident of the Ark, and by extension their offspring after them, have sworn an initial oath to the Ezer, that they would '𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘬'. It is the only oath that each and every resident of the Ark has taken, and the source of our immortality.\"\n\n\"Still, it's not the type to bind us. Anyone who has taken this oath is still very well capable of leaving its midst, at the cost of their eternal life...\"\n\n\"...𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 we Exiles.\"\n\"Each Exile is forced into a vow against their will to the Ezer. A binding vow. One that prevents us the use of the Ground Gate to flee the Ark.\"\n\n\"In short, the only way of our escape is up. Beyond the Ascent to the Second Floor, and beyond that, to the very peak of the Ark...\"\n\"...Most wouldn't even get past the first of those steps.\"```\n\nSheto squinted as he finished his explanation, averting his gaze back toward the wall as he awaited for the three to coordinate themselves. He had already played a crucial part in shifting the course of the First Floor's history, and yet he would likely again be called to assist in further measures far over his head. The alchemist was hesitant to continue assisting the outsiders, and, while compliant enough to explain to them the basics of the Ark's Inner society, was still mulling over his potential future participation in their quest..." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"...Qᴜᴇᴛᴀᴀ, ᴇᴢᴜᴇᴋ...\"`\n\nThe doctor bowed his head slightly in response to the mentioning of such a spell. Kuouo's mentioning of the fact that keeping this whole situation under wraps would initially bring some confusion to the doctor's hidden face, yet the following response would cause the statement to sink in fully, and crush whatever hopes he had left of preventing this knowledge from spreading throughout the Exile's Watch. It may take a while, but someone would Eventually Investigate the source of the furious, crimson-red light.\n\n...Still, holding onto whatever fragment of hope he had left, the doctor rationalized. Perhaps, even if it was an inevitability that someone would investigate the matter, they still had enough time to speak to Aazkue bef—\n\n*```fix\n\"HEY, SHOW YERSELF YOU FUCKIN' COWARD!\"```\n_ _\n\n—the words brought an immediate sense of alarm to Zocheiz' unprepared self, and he visibly flinched as Kuouo suddenly shouted out within the clinic. The outsider's sudden panic and frustration only further served to compound the doctor's own anxiety, and he lifted each of his six-digited hands to his side, recoiling in slight, as his thought process had thoroughly been derailed. The doctor was only granted a fraction of a moment to collect himself, mustering the first syllable of a question—\n\n`\"ᴡʜᴀ—\"`\n\n—but Kuouo had already continued further, granting, at the very least, a vague sense of reason and explanation as to what happened. The doctor scarce had a moment to take it all in, yet swiftly nodded his head in agreement. Time was of the essence here.* And, indeed, if they did not act soon... Disaster may soon be to follow. He was unaware of the very Presence Of someone eavesdropping on the group, and he was further unaware of their Intent. Who, and why? \n\n...These were questions he likely would not be graced with an answer to, and questions that he did not have the time to spare to thoroughly ponder over.\n_ _\n\nInstead of wasting what little time they had left, the doctor hurried to slither toward the front door of the clinic, hesitating, partially — he had feared to leave the clinic for quite some time — yet would soon dash away such hesitations, proceeding forth. He had to speak to Aazkue, And quite soon." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo, despite the splint holding his leg straight, began moving hastily out of the cylindrical office. With someone eavesdropping on their entire conversation, there was no telling what could happen next. The information was beyond crucial to life on the first floor; if not handled delicately, the Exile's Watch could take a turn for the worse — A struggle that the three had put their blood, sweat, and tears against within not only these couple hours - but Centuries. The bandit started shuffling quickly down the hall — But not before braking in his steps and turning around, facing Sheto with a frustrated but determined glare.\n\n```fix\n\"Sheto... I appreciate all you've done. I'm assumin' yer not gonna head out with us — Although yer welcome to. If not... I jus' wanted t' say thank you. I know this reveal jus' came outta the blue, but I think we can still pull through. If the doc gets through Aazkue, then we'd've taken the first step t'... Ya know, changin' the world. Still hopin' all goes well.. I wanna go down t' The Merrymen's and chow down on some food, I'm fuckin' starvin'. Daheheh-\"```\n\nThe goat dryly chuckled, his face falling back down to one of seriousness and uncertainty. Not waiting too long for Sheto to say anything back, Kuouo power-walked behind Zocheiz, keeping his paw close to the hilt of his dagger as his escort. With everything set, the bandit opened the door, moving in front of the doctor with hasty intent.\n\n```fix\n\"Normally doc, I wouldn't mind carryin' ya since it'd be kinda faster that way. Guess we'll just to make do. Now, I do wanna say this - We're gonna talk to him first, make sure everything'll be fine and work it out from there. His legs are torn from the waist-down, over-exerted t' stop the both of us from approachin' the Ascent. I know yer first instinct'll be to help him — And I commend ya for that, I really do! But he can really put up a dangerous fight, even without those legs. I'm sure, even at my full strength, he coulda killed me within three minutes... I 'spose y'could say it's best t' keep the dude in a mutual state the best we can 'til we figure everything out, y'know?\"```\n\nKuouo followed the path, looking in-ward... ``'I'm sure, even at my full strength, he coulda killed me within three minutes, huh?'`` The bandit didn't actively seek strength, opting instead for powerful utilization of his abilities to not fell most of his enemies, but rather incapacitate them one way or another. His time spent on the first floor lacked strife — at least compared to his other adventures... But it'd be a lie to say if it wasn't the most hardest fought in a while, the hero's mind briefly recalling his skirmishes with The Order and the battle with Syyth himself, still ranking them higher. Nevertheless, it left Kuouo questioning if all of his cards were enough to continue traversing the Vektet as is.\n\n```fix\n\"... Well regardless doc, I know ya said you don't get t' go out much, so fer now, enjoy the fresh air before the possible storm up ahead. Dunno what's ahead of us, but I believe in ya, aight?\"```\n\nKuouo put those thoughts aside after noticing the doctor's anxious movements, uneasiness and uncertainty infecting his body language, the goat moving to calm Zocheiz's nerves a bit and encourage him. Wouldn't want him tripping over his own words and have Aazkue misconstrue the group's intents, after all." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "There were so many questions, and so many things flooded his mind. The exiles could not leave, but what about the other floors? As far as he knew no one had been recorded leaving the structure, so why did they stay? Was immortality really worth spending all of time constrained within 1 structure seeing the same sights every day?\nHe had no reason to help the exiles, his mission was to find out what made the structure tick.. But a nobler part of him felt the need to help, he cursed himself internally, he had avoided the village for this reason, as soon as he had spoken to them he felt the need to help, but helping these people might very well mean fighting a god, or something close to one.\nNevertheless he began walking.\n```diff\n- \"This is a shot in the dark but,.. Aazkue, he's.. Well I don't actually know but he strikes me as, not a bad guy I suppose is the easiest way to put it. I mean sure he comitted the first sin or whatever biblical nonsence but, he must have had a reason. \" -\n```\nHe sighed gazing around at the squalor of the watch.\n```diff\n- \"Maybe if we told him everthing, well minus the bit about destroying his city that might upset him, but what the deal is with the exiles and the watch and the fact you cant leave this place. Maybe he'd help us, at the very least he might let us into the tower, if that truly is the only way out. \" -\n```" }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "As the group exited the clinic, the drone came trundling up, beeping excitably as it reported it findings on the watch, it removed the broken arm from Cumhall's belt and began to do some rudimentary repair work, the best it could do without apposable thumbs and with a limited set of mechanical tools was to restore its primary function; being an arm, extra bells and whistles would require a bit more work. And even then it would not be finished before they reached the tower again." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "The alchemist folded his arms, and only could stay silent in witness of the physician and the outsiders departing, colluding in business that was far beyond what he had initially signed up for. Certainly, it was no trifling matter to go and cure Ezer's dreadful root-brand, and, indeed, he was one driven with great devotion toward his craft, but still... He could not assist them any further. To say that he wouldn't follow them because he lacked drive could not be farther from the truth — no, instead, it was for fear that what they were about to do was going to chaotically impact the Exile's Watch, with perhaps horrific consequences to follow. \n\nHe was, indeed, an alchemist from mind to heart; where there were chaotic and unexpected factors within a problem, he sought to control and negate all such factors, working to make the problem as controllable and consistent as possible. Such is a trait expected to be seen within those that delve into the art of science and study — control and consistency are virtues sought out by any self-respecting researcher. In the field of alchemy, and the procurement of the cure, he was capable of maintaining this essence of control over the subject at hand. In what the three were Currently attempting, however?\n\nThey were about to entangle themselves in perhaps the greatest political upheaval in the entirety of the Ark.\n\n```cpp\n\"...\"```\n\nThis, he could not control. Not even in the slightest. And this, he could not assist with, nor was he even interested with Attempting To assist. All he could do is give a blank glare at the group, a slight squint, and his silence, as they departed..." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"...ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ.\"`\n\nAs the two began their departure, the doctor spoke in reply to Kuouo's statement — that he would have to suppress his instinct to come to the injured Aazkue's aid. It was, indeed, not even remotely within his nature to comply with such behavior... But, perhaps, for this scenario and this scenario only, he would have to make an exception. They were... Tinkering, in a domain, that could well cost them not only their lives, but the lives and outcome of the entire Exile's Watch, too. \n\nFollowing such a statement came shame, and with such shame, silence. The doctor would not speak further a word as they continued toward the Ascent to the Second Floor..." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The building marked 'Physician', as Gaige had seen, was, indeed, what appeared to be a clinic on the inside. Unoccupied beds lined either side of the walls as he first stepped in, yet deeper in and opposite to the door, there was what appeared to be a cylindrical office, and one right to be a workspace for a physician. Indeed, many parts of the small workspace that the so-called physician had prepared seemed much more advanced than what the initial appearance of the Vektet Would seem to suggest, and yet...\n\n...The one who worked such instruments would be all too strange for Gaige to call the place familiar to Earth.\n\nIndeed, for the physician who ran this clinic, appeared Sluglike In form, and remained facing away from Gaige, who had just entered. Even despite his calls out to the physician, he remained silent, instead staring down at the table ahead of himself, masked and cloaked in his attire. He couldn't get a whole glimpse of the strange physician, and yet his silhouette was unmistakably inhuman, instead apparent as a legless, sluglike form, save for two arms and two hands, both with six digits each." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "As he entered, the supposed weight that had been lifted from him went unnoticed by the hero, him eyeing the slug-creature. Oddly enough, the individual didn't seem to hear his calls. Was he focused on something? It'd be rude to continue to disturb the slug, but he needed to act with haste. The appearance of the physician didn't irk the hero in the slightest, having grown used to the strange nature of the denizens of the Vektet; the Desecrated, Che, and those he passed by in the Exile's Watch had all granted him a sense of understanding within this world, mixed with his past adventures.\n\nOnce more, he'd shout—taking a few steps closer, \"Helloooo? Doctor?\" He waited for the slug to react to his shouts. His head continued to pound, but luckily remained manageable for the time being." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "Madness comes in many flavors, but perhaps the worst of them is the flavor of madness born in delusion.\n\nHow long ago was it, that he, Zocheiz, had come to this floor?\n\nHow long had he had to accustom himself to this society?\n\nHow long had he dissociated himself with it?\n\nHow long had he gone blind to his surroundings?\n\nHow long had he quelled that eternal gnawing, that trepidation, and that fear that clawed deep, deep wounds into the back of his mind?\n\nHow long...\nHad he deluded himself, to believe\nThat this hatred, so potent...\nDid not exist?\n\n\n\nZocheiz was deep in thought in the moment that Gaige entered, and would, initially, again not turn to view the one who entered. Instead, he seemed trapped within some sort of trance, focused, staring down at nothing atop the table ahead of himself. Yet, as Gaige approached, the doctor seemed to snap in a sudden breath to reality, his head perking with a shivery nervousness toward the new visitor to the clinic. All manner of stress and anxiety invaded the doctor's already troubled mind as he was made aware of a newcomer's presence in the lobby, as he instantaneously pondered a plethora of possibilities within the singular moment that he realized Someone else but him was in the clinic. Each, all, seemed grim, and each all, poisoned by the venom of anxiety, seemed to speak to Zocheiz words of doom, and of hatred, and of further fear.\n\nHe could hardly compose a response to Gaige's presence, stammering out several quarter-syllables as he finally turned, shaking his head slightly, as he took a deep breath in.\n\n`Above all else...`\n\n...He paused, staring at the floor, clasping the garb about the abdominal region of his sluglike body.\n\n`...I am a doctor.`\n`Right. Right. That is right.`\n\nAnother deep breath in, and Zocheiz seemed to come-to.\n\n`\"ᴡ-ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ.\"`\n`\"ɪꜱ ɪᴛ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ—...?\"`\n\nThe physician groaned, and shook his head slightly, barely managing to meet eyes with Gaige." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He watched in slight caution as the doctor slowly turned his alien body, his eyes almost failing to meet the hero's. \"Bad time I see... Sadly I'm in a bit of a rush,\" Gaige spoke, recognizing the doctor's present dismay, \"I was wondering if you perhaps had any supplements that I could just take with me. Ever since before I slept, I've been having this strange headache,\" He rested his hand upon his forehead, \"At first, I thought it was just overexertion, but it hasn't died down much since then and randomly flares up.\" He lowered his hand to his side, \"As I said, I don't really have much time to go through an entire procedure, so do you have anything you believe might help that I can take on the road? If it helps at all, the pain is... In the front of my head mostly.\" Gaige finished his request, waiting for the doctor's response.\n\nIf his request was met with naught, he decided he'd have to press on despite the headache." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "`\"ʙᴀᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇ...\"`\n\nThe doctor echoed, as if in question.\nWas it truly that obvious?—he questioned, mentally, his head perking slightly in silent inquiry, and yet he could muster no more than a slight sigh to follow up.\n\nStill, Zocheiz had a duty to perform. Indeed, Gaige was correct — he had arrived at quite a bad time. Perhaps one of the Worst Times for a person like him to show up. Zocheiz was not typically one to complain about those who entered his clinic, and was usually much more amiable and helpful toward people who were injured. Now, though, he hardly could muster the idealistic mindset of blindly helping those who came to his front door regardless of what they offered him. His recent encounter with the boiling Hatred Of the Exiles had some tarnished his carefully-orchestrated mindset, and he thought to take some time to recover from the terrible exposure. Yet, in this moment of vulnerability and recovery, he, himself, had fallen prey to the mindset that he wished to avoid with every ounce of his living being.\n\nBlind benevolence had eluded him for a moment, and he sought excuses to turn Gaige away.\n\n`\"...\"`\n_ _\n\nZocheiz locked gazes with Gaige from beyond his mask, pausing for what was much longer than a single comfortable moment.\n\n\n\n\n\n`\"ᴀ... ʜᴇᴀᴅ-ᴀᴄʜᴇ. ʀɪɢʜᴛ... ɪ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏꜱᴇ ɪ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.\"`\n\nThere was a prevalent languish in his heart and tone, but the doctor's code seemed to shine brighter than even his momentary troubles, as he found the energy to burn through his dread, and to assist the patient, even if imperfectly. Zocheiz slowly slithered across the floor of the workplace at the rear of the clinic, staring up at the large glass cabinet with some enervation. Plucking through the storageplace, the doctor would withdraw a new addition to his collection of tools and medicines — a tonic-base, one which was prepared in-excess by Sheto, and one which was used as a catalyst for the acting ingredients in the cure to the Root-Brand. Indeed, the base was inert as it was, yet its primary purpose was to deliver a payload to the blood-vessels within the brain. As such, with some simple modifications, even the alchemical novice that was the doctor could manage to make a basic tonic to assist in Gaige's woes.\n\nA swift pour, a Very small fragment Of a Taarei Pellet, and a quick stir, and the doctor had prepared a small dose of a functioning tonic. It was makeshift, but Gaige would have to make do with this for now; the doctor could hardly manage any other effort beyond this.\n\nThe doctor wordlessly offered the transparent, slightly bluish tonic contained within a clear, glass vessel to Gaige. Upon its likely consumption, he would not notice any immediate effects. Some time after its digestion, however, he would notice slight relief, and a wave of imposed calm, as brought about by the Taarei's Naturally-soothing and sleep-inducing nature." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Three reasons why:\n- air strike shield\n- \n- odl woman gas lighting dementia\n\nFour reason why - ezero is a cool blade" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige eyed the vial that the slug doctor had offered him. It was no doubt a risk to trust a doctor from an alien world, but surely they had a form of ethical code to uphold as any good doctor would. He felt an unusual sense of calm and comfort around Zocheiz, relieving him of the vial as he raised it up to his eyes and peered into it. Squinting his eyes, he eventually gave a lighthearted shrug before downing the vial with no questions asked. It had a strange metallic taste to it as it slithered down his throat, Gaige visibly reflexing in response. He gave a large gulp as he struggled to keep the medicine down, shaking his head as he faced the doctor.\n\n\"...Bleh, couldn't have given me anything to wash it down with? Maybe gave me a heads up?\" He ran his tongue across the roof of his mouth repeatedly, attempting to be rid of the vile taste. \"You put a taarei pellet in it, right?\" He had noticed the doctor slip the small fragment into the concoction, \"I was taught a bit about them by a man I met outside of town. Medicine of that potency isn't given out as openly in my world. Kinda prefer it this way honestly!\" Gaige gave a warm smile to the slug. He set the glass vial down on a nearby table, stretching as he let out a deep breath.\n\n\"How long does this medicine usually take to kick in, doc? Any side effects I should be aware of as well? Oh—and if possible, could I trouble you with asking for some to carry with? Like a... Prescription, you know?\" Gaige pummeled the doctor with question after question, not even thinking of discussing the topic of _payment._ It would be of great benefit to Gaige if he could acquire some of this medicine to take with him on his journey; it seemed increasingly unlikely that his headaches would subside anytime soon. Though upset, he would understand if the doctor wasn't willing to bestow him with more vials." }, { "author": "Zocheiz", "message": "The slug-doctor furled his gloved hands together, their six-digited forms clutched uncomfortably against one another as he stared beyond his mask with an ingrained sense of unease and anxiety. Something still remained, pressing harshly on the doctor's mind, even as he was merely standing in Gaige's presence. It was hard to tell whether the hero, himself, perpetuated this stress, or it was merely the continuation of the languishing that Gaige had seen innately expressed in his posture from the moment he stepped foot in the building. As Gaige himself had said, and as the doctor had implicitly confirmed with his silence, it seemed indeed that this was a bad time.\n\n`\"ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ, ɪ...\"`\n\nZocheiz shook his head, rushing his words and just slightly frantic in his demeanor. He turned to the table and went silent once more — though he subconsciously made sure that Gaige properly ingested the medicine and it had no adverse effects on him — his hands pressing against the table. There, the doctor briefly paused, looking about shakily, wholy uncertain as to what to do.\n\nGaige could hear the doctor taking a breath. One deep, very deep, with some difficulty and some added depth as wrought by the physician's own alien, sluglike physiology. There rested centuries' worth of thoughts upon his mind, and such was reflected even in his breathing. That weight pushed against his mind, and it pressed against his breath; with the exhale, he let it push beyond himself, the doctor alleviating some of his own burden as he cleared his mind.\n_ _\n\n`\"...ʏᴇꜱ. ʏᴇꜱ, ᴀ ᴛᴀᴀʀᴇɪ ᴘᴇʟʟᴇᴛ.\"`\n`\"ᴛᴏ... ᴀ-ᴀʟʟᴇᴠɪᴀᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ. ɪᴛ... ꜱᴏᴏᴛʜᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪɴᴅ.\"`\n\nHis voice muffled slightly under his mouth, the doctor began to fidget with some of the instruments, the vials, and containers on the table before him. Almost unconsciously, he began to prepare another dose.\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛɪᴄᴇ ɪᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏᴜʀ.\"`\n\nWith a clatter and a pour, another bluish tincture formed. Sheto's neutral tonic had already aided the doctor three times despite Zocheiz only having met him less than a day ago. A smile would have come upon the doctor's face at the thought, and yet he was all too preoccupied with other emotions. Nonetheless, he offered Gaige yet another dose, yet did not humor him further a response beyond what generosity he had already shown him and had continued to show him. Though gaige had asked for a prescription, he was only given about two extra vials, for that was all that the physician seemed keen to procure. That, and he was running low on stock." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "A hum, completely and clearly audible, resounds all throughout the `Exile's Watch,` As a bright-though-not-blinding crimson light cascades through the single window at the far end of the clinic. An incredible arcane energy suffused the light, almost immediately granting a warmth to the air it touched against — subtly heating the interior of the clinic — and similarly-subtly stimulated a magician's sensitivity to changes in magic dnesity. To Gaige, however, its sensation would be much more familiar: It was that of a Solar Miracle. And not just any miracle, nor one merely cast by just some anybody... It was incredibly familiar. Familiar to the sensation he had felt at an earlier time, when he tread into the realm of memories not his own.\n\nThe miracle—\n*`QUETAA EZUEK.`\nAnd its caster—\n__`...The Solar Guardian.`__" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "A radiant light shined through the windows of the clinic, the warmth of _`QUETAA EZUEK`_ permeating throughout the room. Gaige's head spun on his shoulders, quickly adjusting his gaze away from the doctor and towards the windows. This feeling... _it was familiar._ Quetaa Ezuek was a miracle he was familiar with, having experienced its use in another's memories, as well as during his own testing of the purifying magick. The strength of the miracle being used presently far eclipsed his own however. Though, Gaige had once cast this spell before at the same level of potency—no, not Gaige himself, but he had felt it during his out of body experience within the forest. It went beyond just feeling the strength of the spell though; Gaige had felt this exact warmth whilst in the forest.\n\n_He had cast `QUETAA EZUEK` at this level during the memories of the Solar Guardian, `AAZKUE.`*_\n\nGaige quickly pieced together all he had learnt during his time within the Vektet, possessing depths of knowledge into the machinations of Aazkue. There was no doubt that the miracle outside was cast by the Solar Guardian himself. Gaige dared not stare directly outside into the now-star that enshrouded the land in its light, backing away from the window.\n\n\"...Huh,\" He turned back towards the slug, happily relinquishing them of the two additional vials they had procured for him, \"I appreciate it, truly. I need to get going though—hope you get over... Whatever's going on!\" Gaige jogged towards the door with a wave to the doctor, exiting the clinic without another word." } ]	430	59,793
418.76	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`A long, dark hallway, flanked by dozens of bars leading into what appears to be prison-cells on each side. At the very end of the hallway, farther than the eye can see clearly, a faint blue light shimmers...`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "`...I didn't expect that to actually work.` He moved the rock away from the door, releasing his hold upon it. It fell to the ground with a Thud, Gaige peering into the lengthy corridor. The stench was no doubt putrid, but it wasn't unbearable for one who had been well acquainted with the putrid smell of corpses for years. The hero's nostrils flared up from the rude introduction to the smell, but he eventually adapted _somewhat_ to it. `God, fuck that smell. It's either here or wandering around outside this cave though.` He would be going into pure darkness though if he were to enter the door. Though, he had already hatched a plan to avoid the darkness.\n\nGaige walked away from the door, moving near one of the tendrils. It'd be a gamble to try and touch one, having no idea what they'd do to a human. Instead, he opted to cut a portion off and telekinetically hold it near him. The man had no cutting tool however—in fact, he came with relatively nothing outside of that satchel. The man spoke four words, \"_Okaarum_, come to me.\"\n\n*```diff\n- OKAARUM, BLADE OF THE PROPHET -```\n\nA sword made of bone manifested in his hand; the trusty weapon was that of soulbound nature, being a boon granted to the Prophet of the Order. He released his grip on the blade, telekinetically holding it and slicing a portion of the tendril off. Using telekinesis to hold the tendril piece which would serve as light, Okaarum was recalled, vanishing from sight. `This should do well enough.` He returned to the door, taking his first few steps inside.\n\n_ _\nThe scent worsened, but it was still bearable for the hero. The tendril hovered just in front of the cloaked man, him glancing into every cell he passed, searching for objects inside them. Soon into the corridor, he noticed the faint, blue light in the distance. `...Hm?` He squinted, trying to get a good look at the light, but to no avail. For now, all he could do was continue to approach the light. Eventually, he began to near the blue light, incapable of deciphering what it was still." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Gaige approaches closer and closer to the blue light, and the scent only seems to get worse. While most of the cells were empty, some of them had, well... Rotting bodies,* Corpses, of both humanoid and animalistic nature. Some were emaciated, all decomposed but skin-and-bones, while others were, indeed, nothing but bones. Bodies were few-and-far between, but when there was one, it'd be quite hard to miss.\n\nNow within clear-sight's range of the light, Gaige could finally see its origins. It seems that the very end of the hallway opened up into another room, which was Overgrown with the blue, glowing root, lining its walls and providing a source of light. He would be able to approach unimpeded—\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n_ _\n*```diff\n- ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ```" }, { "author": "vaarektaak", "message": "```fix\n\"𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬.\"```\n\n```cpp\n\"The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun.\"```\n\n\nA horrid abomination slams against one of the cell doors, desperately attempting to escape — to break the bars that bind it, and to stop Gaige. Its body was, in a word, describable as Wooden* — vaguely humanoid, in shape, yet overgrown with gray, treelike roots, forming exaggerated and malformed proportions that uncannily defied the definition of a 'human being'. Its face was twisted, gnarled, and with a wicked smile, its misfitted eyes, drowned within overly-large eyesockets formed of interweaving wooden branches, bulged, staring at Gaige with a flickering gaze. Luckily, even the damaged, rusted steel bars could hold it back, denying it the escape it so desparately sought..\n\nMarking the cage is a parchment, akin to the one he found atop the rusted door:\n\n```fix\nᴠᴀᴀʀᴇᴋᴛᴀᴀᴋ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴀɪᴛᴏʀ```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige recoiled slightly at the sound of the creature banging on the cell door. He stepped back from the cell, eyeing the note. `Vaarektaak, the Traitor? Not what I had in mind for this guy.` He stared the creature directly in its misshapen eyes, ignoring its drivel, \"Can you understand me?\" Gaige questioned the beast. Learning whether or not these creatures could understand him would be a major benefit later on.\n\nHe eyed the blue light again, noticing it was being produced by the poisonous, blue root. He'd have to investigate the blue root later—for now, he had to attempt to quell Vaarektaak. Leaving this creature unattended could result in future disasters. Either he'd need to establish relations with the creature, or kill it before giving it a chance later on. He awaited a response from the unsightly creature." }, { "author": "vaarektaak", "message": "```fix\n\"𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. \"```\n\n```cpp\n\"The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun.\"```\n\n—the creature speaks, over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. Its voice is human, yet corrupted, its tone mindless, in a droning chant. Yet, no matter how subtle it was, it felt as though there was a sense of longing. A longing for freedom, perhaps. A longing to see the sun, perhaps. A longing to kill, perhaps. Or a longing to be put to rest, perhaps.\n\nRegardless, it was clear that it didn't hear a thing that Gaige said, continuing to speak, to chant, and to—\n\n_ _\n*```diff\n- ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡ```\n\n—desperately attempt escape." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He let out a sigh, \"So we can't chat, huh?\" He looked back ahead at the roots, \"Sorry, but I can't leave you here alive if there's a chance of you being my enemy. Goodbye, Vaarektaak.\" He paused for a moment, \"_Okaarum_, come to me.\" _Okaarum_ was called upon, Gaige telekinetically aiming the tip of the blade at the creature's head. With a flick of his wrist, the blade impaled the mind-broken beast's head—the hero hoping to give it a quick death. He was no monster after all.\n\nAfter putting the creature out of its apparent misery, he recalled Okaarum, turning his attention to the room which contained the blue roots. He made his way inside the room, still holding the tendril if a future situation came up that demanded it. He scouted the room out, looking for anything of importance." }, { "author": "vaarektaak", "message": "```fix\n\"𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦—\"\n\n—the blade pierces through its head, conjured of roots, and its mouth stops moving.```\n\nA* Swift death, indeed..." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "As Gaige progressed through into the room with blue roots, he'd be met with a strange shift in atmosphere. The long-spanning liminality of the cell-flanked hall was much more eerie, darkened due to the lack of any notable source of light — however, the blue roots beyond the opening, glistening across the walls, granted the new room a depth and curiosity which vastly contrasted the utter darkness of the almost two-dimensional plane that was the hallway before. They gave light to the surface of furniture, which could clearly be made out in his closer proximity: a brass table, a desk with a shattered lamp, A worn-out book atop that desk, a broken quill at the book's side, and a dried inkwell with remnants of Golden ink To pair, and even what appeared to be Glass vials, Each empty, and some shattered. There were tools, as well, hung on one of the walls — a rusty old bandsaw, an axe, and a few bronze daggers that retained their sheen. \n\nThe room was messy, yet relative to the past two places within the Vektet He had seen before, it displayed much more of an essence of organization and cleanliness, despite its state of deterioration caused by a great passage of time unattended. It almost appeared to be a workshop, or a study of some kind for whoever inhabited it prior to its apparent abandonment.\n_ _\n\nThough, perhaps abandonment was not the only thing that brought waste to this strange room. Perhaps it was One Of the causes, but it may not have been The Primary cause — obviously, the room had been overgrown with the roots which Gaige had determined to be poisonous, in their enigmatic blue glow. The roots burrowed throughout the walls, and, upon closer analysis of their form, it would be revealed that there were Horizontal markings along their surface, akin to a wound left behind by a blade, As there had once been an attempt to slash, sever, and prune their uncontrolled growth. However, beyond these visible cut-marks, it seemed that the Roots only grew stronger, Reinforcing about the spots in which they had been damaged, the slashes only serving to Increase Their vitality and circumference. Perhaps it was some form of natural defense-mechanism or preservation function that the roots possessed.\n\nThe growth of the roots was most peculiar. It almost looked like... They were growing Downwards, Starting from the Roof. They intertwined, spiraling in a descending formation, as if being Naturally pulled down by gravity in their growth. Of course, such a thought would only provoke Gaige to Look up,\n\nWhere it would then be revealed,\n\nSomething quite alarming, hidden from his sight, up until this moment in time." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "`The face of a woman, hung upside-down, staring down at him. Her pearly eyes lay open, her irises lethargically scanning over his figure. She gives a slow and sickly breath, air trickling into her lungs through her paled lips.`\n\nIt is then when the aberration of her physical form becomes apparent.\n\nAs aforementioned, she was hung upside-down, her excessively long white hair dangling just beyond Gaige's reach. Her face was pale, and her irises without response to swift motion; sickly, and nearing lifelessness, yet still human in nature. From her face, to her neck, to her shoulders, she was still within the bounds of what could be called human, if a little ill.\n\nBeyond that, however, her flesh twists and corrupts, infested with intertwining branches of flesh-burrowing, wooden Root, The likes of which that, too, infested `Vaarektaak, the Traitor.` It twisted, curled, and flourished along her flesh, distending and corrupting her body beyond her collarbone into an incoherent mass of a lusterless, wooden root. The root extended up and up, like a cocoon that buried her lower body, extending to the very top of the ceiling, where it gradiently shifted from a more familiar and mundane wooden tone, to that of an effulgent, blue glow.\n\nUnlike Vaarektaak, however, the corruption of the root did not seem to reach her head, leaving a single semblance of humanoid visage, clearly retaining intelligent life. The semblance of the root's growth was not unlike that of the man that Gaige had found, perished, outside, within the caverns.\n\n```cpp\n\"𝙼𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎...\"\n\"𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍...\"\n\"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞?\"\n\n\n\n\"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝘜𝘬𝘶𝘦, 𝘜𝘬𝘶𝘦, 𝘜𝘬𝘶𝘦, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆...\"```\n\nA repetitious chant begins to drone, and the root that stopped at her shoulders begins to advance, slowly crawling along her neck." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "As he entered, he released his hold on the tendril, leaving it at the entrance to the room. The blue roots which ran down the walls would suffice as light. He approached the brass desk, brushing his hand across the cover of the book. Unfortunately for the hero, the bound book had no title. `No title huh... A journal of sorts then?` He lifted the hefty book from its resting place, carrying it in his left hand. The cloaked man would have to read it at another time, opting to explore the rest of the room first. He eyed the quill on the desk, `Hm, seems like its a journal. Wonder who the owner of it was...?`\n\nThe golden ink placed the theory that this place could be related to 'The Sun' which Vaarektaak repeated mindlessly. Its color matched that of the Sun he knew after all. Gazing at the tools which lined the wall, he assumed the original resident of this room may have been a woodworker of sorts. Gaige turned his attention away from the desk, eyes scanning the nearby wall until he reached the blue roots. `Slash marks? Was someone trying to kill these roots? Doesn't seem like they had much success though.` He gave the roots a closer analysis, before gasping and backing away violently.\n\n_ _\n\"_Okaarum_, come to me!\" The man shouted, the bone sword manifesting within his hand. His head snapped upwards towards the origin of the roots, gazing at the grotesque sight of the woman hanging from the ceiling. Thoughts raced throughout his mind while he backed away, `She shares similarities with Vaarektaak... Not only with them, but with the corpse in the cave.` He kept his blade lowered as not to threaten her directly. Retreating all the way to the entrance, he now had a full view of the woman. He took note of her humanoid appearance, `Was she made into this... Thing by the roots?!` He scanned her cocooned and wooden body, attempting to establish communications, \"Are you able to understand me?\" He spoke with confidence, raising his voice to just below a shout.\n\nHe listened as she repeatedly chanted the name of Ukue, over and over. What stood out though was the mention of 'My lord'. `Ukue is her lord? Then this shouldn't be the heir that the note mentioned. Who is she then...?` He noticed the roots beginning to crawl further down her neck. Would she become a mindless beast like Vaarektaak before? He'd have to get this over with quick, \"If you're able to understand me... Who, and what are you?\" He questioned the lady, awaiting a response whilst prepared for the possibility of an attack." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "```cpp\n\"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎...\"```\n\nThe woman murmured, speaking oevr, and over, and over again. That name — Ukue, the one titled Eclipse Guardian — was as important to her as as the Sun was to the man named Vaarektaak. Ukue, Ukue, Ukue, the one she sought, the one to return to the First Floor, the one who abandoned his past...\n\nDesperation begins to overcome her. Her eyes roll in their sockets, as she speaks and speaks, oblivious to her surroundings and even her own physical state, until she hears a voice speak...\n\n```cpp\n\"𝚆𝚑𝚘...\"```\n\n—she speaks, softly,\n\nThose words roused memories. From months, years, decades, long ago...\n\n```fix\n« Stop it. Please, I beg. Stop, stop speaking my name! »\n« ...Why? Why is it that you think... I extended my hand to you, that day, just for you to lead a life like this? »\n« Stop it, please...! The root has already taken far too much from me... »\n« Please, just remember your own name... »```\n\n`Ukue, O' Ukue...`\n`I still remember... I still remember.`\n\n```cpp\n\"𝙼𝚢 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎...\"\n\"...𝙾𝚔𝚘𝚝...𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝚊𝚡𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙲𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝.\"```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige's eyes widened in surprise. There still existed those who could speak to him in this world. He kept his blade drawn, thinking of what the most important questions to ask would be. \"Alright Okot... Who is Ukue and how do you know him?\" The man asked the root-infested woman, awaiting a response. There was no telling if the woman would succumb to the roots if he spent too much time on meaningless questions and actions. He had to learn more about who Ukue and their heir was. That was what mattered most." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "```cpp\n\"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎... 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎...\"```\n\nOnce he had spoken Ukue's name, Okot repeated it, twice, slowly. That longing returned, overwhelming, for that name was all she had left to cling to. The Ezer had stolen away their duties, and the root had stolen away both her body and her mind. Only that memory, that name, Ukue, was what she had left to rely on.\n\n```cpp\n\"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐...\"\n\"𝙰 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍... 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚢, 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚢.\"\n\"The Eclipse Guardian, beloved of the Sun...\"\n\"...𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚄𝚎𝚣𝚎𝚛...\"```\n\n```cpp\n\"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎... 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎... 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎...\"```\n\n\n...A vague response, yet a heartfelt response, nonetheless." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige thought in silence for a moment, it seemed unlikely he would get a straightforward response out of questions such as what he had asked. He would need to strike at the heart of his current quest. He would no doubt keep in mind that Ukue was a so-called 'Lord of Mercy'. Perhaps they could be a future ally if he were to meet them on the later floors. \"In that case...\" Gaige spoke, locking his eyes with Okot's, \"Where is Ukue's heir, Okot? I don't seek to harm them, only to meet them.\" From his tone, he wasn't asking Okot, but rather _demanding_ her to give him the location of the heir. Of course—he had no idea whether or not the girl knew where the heir was, but the demanding nature often proves to be effective in situations like this.\n\nThe hero also had no knowledge of what finding the heir would mean for him. However, the notes left by Ukue obviously instilled the notion that the heir was of _immense_ importance. If he were able to locate the heir, perhaps he could find answers to all of his questions about this place." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "```cpp\n\"𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛... 𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛...\"```\n\nThe woman spoke questioningly, repeating the phrase. Her mouth held open, as she pondered, blinking several times lethargically. In thought, she remained entirely silent, as she struggled to recollect the meaning of such a title. How hard it was, for someone corrupted by the root... To remember, anything, at all.\n\n```cpp\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛... 𝚘𝚏 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎.\"```\n\nShe muttered, yet it was only after she had spoken the phrase that she recognized its significance. Her wearied eyes opened once more, and a spark of life subtly lit her face. It wasn't quite excitement, yet it was a refreshing sensation. Much better than the dreary, longing malaise that had encompassed these tens and tens and hundreds of years of her life, each day wearing at her mind...\n\n```cpp\n\"𝙷𝚒𝚜...𝚖𝚢...\"```\n\nThe words clumped in her throat. She quietly gasped for breath, her mind and body strained by the mere act of recollecting, articulating, and actually speaking. Her pale tongue rests for a moment, and her pale lips close, each dried, fatigued, and pained from years of suspension. It was... Incredibly demanding, or so it seemed.\n\nYet the root seems to pause in its growth, staved away by her mental determination to continue in individuality.\n\n```cpp\n\"𝚅𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚒𝚛...\"\n\"𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚞𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗...\"\n\"𝙼𝚢 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛... 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍, 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙸...\"\n\n\n\"𝚂𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚍𝚞𝚝𝚢...\n\n...𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛...\"```\n\nAnd so, her expressions, as subtle and tired as they may be, shift from that of fondness, to that of sorrow. Deep, pained sorrow.\n\n```cpp\n\"𝚅𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚒𝚛...𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚞𝚝𝚢.\"```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He watched as the woman appeared to fight back against the corruption of the roots. After the woman began regaining her sanity, he asked again, \"I need to know where the heir is. I'm not out for their life, you can trust me on that.\" The woman had begun to speak, Gaige praying for a decipherable answer.\n\nWhat he got was not the answer he sought, but it was useful nevertheless. `Vokeir—that must be the heir. And... Daughter? Is this the heir's mother...? Nevermind that—I need to ask her where the altar is while she's conscious.` He questioned the woman again, \"Okot, you need to stay conscious for a short while longer so I can be of help to your daughter.\" He attempted to use what he had learned from the infected woman to connect with her more, \"I need to know where the altar you speak of is. With that, I can help your daughter with her duty. If you can tell me that, I can be of use to her.\" He awaited a response from the woman, hoping that his distasteful use of manipulation would grant him an answer." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "```cpp\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛...?\"```\n\nThe woman paused. Again, she blinked, slowly, akin to how she responded when he initially questioned where the so-called heir was. For the query Who The heir was, she certainly had an answer, and she only need peer into her own memories — regardless of how hazed they were — to retrieve an answer.\n\nFor this query, however...\n\n```cpp\n\"...\"```\n\nShe pauses, deep in thought. Her eyes close, for a prolonged period, and it almost appeared as if she had fallen asleep.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n```cpp\n\"𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠.\"```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige waited in utmost suspense for an answer; with this answer, he'd have his next destination planned out. With who this woman was... And her current state of consciousness, she had to know. He smiled, speaking, \"Well? Did you remember wher-\" His speech was suddenly interrupted by her words. `\"I do not know.\"` Similarly to the woman, he stood in silence, staring at her. Eventually, he spoke up in a calm manner.\n\n\"Really? You... Have no idea where your daughter is...?\" He seemed puzzled by the woman's response. \"Huh... That's an issue, isn't it.\" He scratched the back of his head, thinking. \"Do you have maybe like a... General direction or something?\" Gaige appeared to have dropped his heroic persona he had used in an attempt to manipulate Okot into giving him the location of the altar. He awaited a response from the woman regarding a direction." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "```cpp\n\"...\"```\n\n...There was no response. Her eyes opened oncemore, yet she did not again speak." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He sighed in disappointment; it would seem he'd gotten all the information out of the woman that he could. His gaze averted down to the book which he still held in his left hand. `Suppose it's time to look through this then.` He looked over back where the desk was, noticing the sturdy, brass chair. Making his way to the desk, he took a seat in the chair, placing the supposed journal down on the brass construct. He rolled his neck, no longer deeming Okot a threat. _Okaarum_ laid at his side nevertheless.\n\nThe journal opened to the first page, Gaige carefully reading through it. With another flip through the journal, he'd read the next page as well—observing every detail with immense scrutiny. He'd continue this process until he reached the back of the journal, planning to reflect on what he read after having finished it." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The leather-bound book was, surprisingly, held rather well in-tact, despite what would assumedly be dozens of years without even being touched. Perhaps it had been preserved in one way or another; or, perhaps, this room in particular was less susceptible to natural wear-and-tear brought about by the neverending flow of time. Considering that the tools had not completely rusted away, in significantly better condition than the tools that he had found on the ground before he went beyond the rusted door, it seemed that its contents perhaps aged slower, in a way.\n\nNonetheless, the contents of the book were what was important. While the pages were exceptionally old, slightly brittle, and some clung to eachother, he could open it to its first page easily, for the most part. The familiar, light-gold ink that barely stood out from the background of the parchment that Gaige had seen two times in the past, now, appeared again, being the main script in-which the book was written. Now given three chances to familiarize himself with it, Gaige could likely recognize the handwriting of the parchments' — and the book's — writer, were he ever to encounter it again.\n\nThe contents of the book are as so:\n\nPAGE 1.\n```fix\n\"Unity in Disparity.\"\nThis is the concept upon which the fundamental beliefs of the Arue are construed.\n\nThe fiery image of the Sun, dividing light and dark asunder in its glorious rays of gold, meets the frosted image of the Moon, unifying the essence of the mystical secrets of the cosmos in its Eight Stages of the Unknown.\n\nTwo objects of whole Disparity meet eachother in a moment of Unity, and so the image of the Arue Arcana is formed — the Image of the Solar Eclipse.\n\nThis concept I know better than any other. Even the Ezer, and the Uezer before him, lord and mentor unto the Arue each respectively. For, I, Ukue, am Guardian of the Eclipse, and keeper of its many secrets.```\n\nA break in the text, and it continues—\n\n```fix\nSun - Disparity.\nMoon - Unity.\n\nThe eclipse is the image of Unity in Disparity, for it is two objects in whole Disparity, brought together in a moment of Unity. Yet, deeper, each half of the Image of the Eclipse are, too, partitioned unto the ideals of Unity and Disparity. This is the nature of the Arue Arcana unseen: the Tenet of Sempiternity; the principle that there are limitless instances of Disparity in Unity within Disparity in Unity. The Image of the Eclipse represents Disparity in Unity, and the Sun and Moon each themselves represent Disparity and Unity, respectively.\n\nThe Sun — which we, of its order, know in reverence as Sol — is an object of purity. It cuts between the righteous and the unrighteous, and with its golden rays of holiness, divides the just and unjust. It, by the very nature of its existence, casts differences upon all things, living and unliving, for nothing can escape the partitioning light of Sol. So it is an object of Disparity.\n\nThe Moon, arbiter of the night, unifies all things of the mystical and the arcane, in its unillumining, yet guiding glow. It is a light, yet not one partitioning; a guide, a guardian, and a gatherer, to all those who seek the secrets of the cosmos. By its nature of eight parts, it unifies all things, living and nonliving, in the pursuit of the stars' mystery. So it is an object of Unity.```\n\n```fix\nIndeed, this follows the Tenet of Sempiternity, yet is not representative of it in its whole. For, sempiternity is infinity, and the concept of limitlessness. And so, all things that follow the Tenet of Sempiternity must be found, themselves, limitless. Where there is Unity in Disparity, there must be Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity. And where there is Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity, there must be Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity. And so it repeats, endlessly. For, it is said that, wherever we may look, there is Unity in Disparity, even within the concept of Unity in Disparity, itself.\n\nThe Moon represents Unity, yet follows the Tenet of Sempiternity; there is limitless Unity in Disparity within its seemingly single concept of Unity. For, the way of the Moon is split unto the Eight Stages; unified disparity. There is Disparity in its Unity, and thus Unity in its Disparity. So it is, within the Image of the Moon, there is Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity. One may follow each of the Eight Stages of the Unknown, and find them all following of the Tenet of Sempiternity. Each Stage itself has an aspect of both disparity and unity, and within that aspect, too, there is to be found yet another layer.```\n\n_ _\n```fix\nYet the Sun is not following of this tenet.\n\nThe Sun is representative of the image of Disparity, yet within its image of Disparity, there is no image of Unity in Disparity. Indeed, one may say that it is a Disparate Unification of many a man, and thus follows the principle of Unity in Disparity, for it is an unified order under the concept of Disparity; yet this assumption is only mirage. No, rather, it could be said that the Sun, and its Knights of Sol, are an impure image unfollowing of the Tenet of Sempiternity; Disparity in Disparity, and Disparity in Disparity within Disparity in Disparity. It is an order under the Image of Disparity, the Sun, dedicated solely unto the aspect of purity; which is, in other words, Disparity. \n\nSo it is, I seek to right this wrong, and to make the image of Sol following of the Tenet of Sempiternity. There must be Unity in Disparity within Disparity, that the image of the Solar Eclipse might wholly be complete.```\n\nPAGE 2.\n```fix\nVEIE EZUEK - The Sun of Protection.\nQQOQEIVUE EZUEK - The Sun of Reversion.\n\nThese are the prayers of Sol's Unity, and the requited second half of the Prayers of the Knights of Sol to make their order following of the Tenet of Sempiternity...```\n\n...The book continues, in the same nature as the first page. The prayer — Veie Ezuek — is expounded on, as well as its counterpart — Qqoqeivue Ezuek — each as two parts of the aspect of Unity within the image of the Sun. While a complex subject that one uninitiated in the so-called Arue Arcana would have quite some issues fully comprehending, the basic nature of both prayers are explained in fine detail, granting him a foundational concept to attempt to grasp.\n\nPerhaps, even, with some effort, he could Attempt to utilize either of the two prayers. The Veie Ezuek is said to be a prayer that forms a Barrier of sunlight, whereas Qqoqeivue Ezuek is said to Restore a tarnished object to its former glory. Most interesting, indeed..." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The cloaked man leaned back in the chair after finishing the book, looking towards the ceiling—not where Okot was. He yawned, stretching his arms out above his head. He leaned back in, turning the journal back to its first page, rereading it. `People really write like this huh? You're a real annoying one to learn from, Ukue.` He had recognized the handwriting as Ukue's from the notes left upon the door and the sign in front of Vaarektaak's cell. He reread the first page a multitude of times in an attempt to gain a basic grasp over the concept of 'Unity in Disparity'.\n\nThe man did not piece together his findings within his mind, instead elaborating on his theory out-loud, \"The Sun represents disparity and the Moon represents unity. When the two overlap—the eclipse—there is unity in disparity.\" He paused in his explanation. What he had said was the utmost basics of the concept, but it was a start. \"Of course—I have no idea what these 'Eight Stages of the Unknown' are, but they're related to the Moon. Anyhow, Ukue is a follower of the Sun—and not the only one.\" He points out another obvious fact from the journal, tilting the chair back and rocking in it. \"Skipping past the explanations of the Sun and Moon's relation to their respective elements... These 'Knights of Sol' believe that by forming a unified order under the Sun, they've created 'Unity in Disparity'. Though, according to Ukue, what they've created is fictitious—not truly 'Unity in Disparity'.\" He took a breath, \"And Ukue seeks to right the wrong of these knights.\" He finalized his explanation, tilting his head back against the chair and staring at Okot upside down, \"Is that right, Okot?\" He awaited a response from the woman." }, { "author": "Okot", "message": "```cpp\n\"...\"```\n\n—she would not give a response. It was clear, from her visible reaction, that she heard Gaige's query, yet she did not appear to have an answer — or, at the very least, did not offer up the answer she had." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He waited in silence, staring at Okot; he eventually allowed his chair to return back to its four legs, turning to the second page of the book and gathering his thoughts in his mind instead. It'd be apparent that the supposed mother of the heir didn't have the answers he sought _or_ didn't intend to give them up. He would just have to go off a hunch that his understanding of the concept of 'Unity in Disparity' functions was right.\n\n`And now... The real interesting part. The second half of prayers that the Knights of Sol utilize. Question is whether or not I myself can make use of them.` He scrutinized the short, second page of the journal before rereading through the rest of the pages. He closed the journal gently, pushing his cloak to the side and opening his satchel. Sliding the book into the satchel, he stood up from his chair; he glanced at the woman for a moment, deciding to leave her alive. He exited the room, squinting at the motionless body of Vaarektaak—looks like he was dead. Gaige made his way out of the hallway and back into the cave which he first appeared in.\n\nHe stretched his legs and arms out, taking in the fresh_er_ air. `Much better than the rancid air in there.` He gazed at the corpse of the individual who he had found at the start of his quest. `No changes in him. Good to know.` Now that Gaige had made it to an open area, he'd be able to freely experiment with the two prayers he had learnt. The first one he would attempt to make use of would be the Sun of Protection. From what he had read in the later pages of the book, he'd have to extend his hand in front of him and say the words, 'Veie Ezuek'. Taking a deep breath, Gaige slowly lifted his arm, his hand in front of him. Using the book to guide his pronunciation, Gaige spoke the words, \"_Veie Ezuek_.\"" } ]	343	10,469
59.166667	2024-04-12	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"Something the matter?\"```" }, { "author": "Haetae", "message": "\"...Nah.\"\n\"Just curious.\"" }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "His left hand rested in his pocket, the blonde-haired man opened his eyes lightly, nodding in to better face his companion. White, arcane lights still flickered from his right hand — the vestiges of the mass-teleportation spell he had cast seconds ago.\n\n```\n\"About?\"```" }, { "author": "Haetae", "message": "\"...They were in bounds, weren't they?\" —she questioned, curious, though still partially indifferent." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"Hmm...\"\n\"Yeah, they were,\" Fyodor nodded, closing his eyes and placing a hand to his chin.```\n\n```\n\"The sorceress still has a role to play in all this,\" he shrugged, then gestured, twirling his right hand in a half-circle vaguely at his surroundings.\n\"I need that piece of the 𝘒𝘦𝘺 to stay there. Otherwise, what follows will seem too... 𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭.\"```" }, { "author": "Haetae", "message": "\"Huh.\"\n\nRuffling her hand through her hair, the shorter woman folded her arms, squinting lightly.\n\n\"...OK.\"" } ]	29	355
387.222222	2023-12-17	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Magic sets the theme of this Festival, as warm lights of sky-lanterns and the crystalline glimmer of arcane energy swirling all across the city skyline attracts one's sight high to the sky above, where the vast, intricate and auric displays of complex magical runes and circlets light the low streets and looming towers of the so-called \"Perfect-city\" Aglow. Yet one's sights are quickly brought back down by the flutter of an otheruniversal traveler's seraphic wings, the bubbly energy emanating from an elemental Medeian sorcerer, or perhaps imposing and graceful appearance of a Mano Benedetta Member's pearly-white cloak and armor, where their attention is then captured once more by the synced march of the Custos Regni In their show-of-power. Yet here, stationary, and as fundamental to celebration as can be, are the stalls, tents, and booths for multicultural, multiethnic, and multispecies foods, trinkets, and more — it is a celebration as much defined by the transmundane as much as it is by the mundane, and by the mundane as much as it is by the transmundane.\n_ _\nTonight, all the eyes of the world rest on this singular place, and it is for that purpose that the major powers of Pacifica have made it a point to demonstrate their continued proliferation as independent elements of a central power. It is for that purpose that celebrants have come from far-and-wide to find joy and revelry amongst the greatest and most varied crowd of the whole world. It is for that purpose that those who seek to make a name for themselves — to be seen, and to remembered — have come also, to stand out amidst the shifting tides of peoples from every corner of the world—universe—multiverse. It is here, of all places, that they each come, to celebrate Disparity's end and Convergence's beginning, at the Festival of Convergence.\n· ─────── ·○· ─────── ·" }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "Now arrives at the core of the event — at a great stage, set directly within the heart of the central plaza — an envoy: a collection of individuals markedly hailing from the city of Caeli Noctis.At the head of them all was a woman, youthly in appearance and form, lithe and elegant, her elegant frame made only more elegant by a dark, distinctly-Victorian dress. Pale, pale hair, pale and colored like new leaves in spring, extended to the length of her shoulders, which was rested beneath a large, pointed hat, embellished with golden-threaded embroideries, royal-blue tassels, golden flourishes, and the symbol of the five-pointed star — the very same emblazoned upon the banner of Astra Cantum's Central halls. There she stood — as an erudite figure with a sort of otherworldly presence — upon the stage at the summit of the night, and spoke:\n\n*```\n\"Benedictiones, vobis omnibus!\"```\n\nHer voice, soft and well-spoken, resounded as though amplified through a sound-system, yet there was nothing of the sort — save for a small ring upon her finger, in which a glittering, amethyst gem glowed with the light of a spell.\n\n```\n\"Ah, excusez-moi,\" she placed a hand to her mouth, smiling lightly. \"Comme je voulais dire: bonsoir, à tous!\"\n```\n\nNow her smile grew, before she gave a faint, yet audible clearing of the throat. With one hand tucked behind her back, she placed her right hand firmly atop her chest.\n\n```\n\"I only joke. Now, let me say for a third time and clearly to you all: good evening, everyone!\"\n\n\"On behalf of the good people of Caeli Noctis and the Academy of Astra Cantum, I bid you all blessings and good tidings on this fine night.\"```\nShe gave a subtle bow.\n\n```\n\"At the goodness of the benefactors of Sanctum Mesa, we, of the Academy, have been granted the honor of inaugurating this great commemoration. I would like to extend to them my greatest expression of thanks.\"\n\n\"Now,\" she paused, now made firm and upright in both stature and voice, a hand facing upright outstretched at her side. \"To you, I would like to extend something much more personal: a challenge.\"\n\n\"It is said that, long ago, humanity and Medei lived in an era prosperity and peace. It was an age of balance, where the division of magic and the mundane had not been crossed; where mind, body, and soul had not yet been distinguished. An age where the material world lived in perfect harmony with the spiritual realm — where one born of the earth could reach, touching the heavens, stars, and beyond.\"\n\n\"Today marks the tenth year we now look back upon the catastrophe of an imbalanced world: the end of an era known as Disparity. Today marks the tenth year we walk toward a greater understanding of what lies beyond our world.\"\n\n\"Today, I would like to extend to you a challenge: a challenge against the border between the mundane and the transmundane. A challenge to claim a better tomorrow, and to pursue the perfect balance of an ancient era in the present day.\"\n\n\"I challenge you all to join us in a pursuit of a better future by way of Convergence — perfect summation in complete balance.\"\n\n\"And I invite you all to join us tonight in a celebration of what we have already accomplished — the world of Disparity that we have pushed beyond.\"\n\n\n```\n\nExtending that outstretched arm at her side forward, toward the crowd, the glittering amethyst ring on her index glowed alight, a radiant, purple mana manifesting at her fingertips. There, within her grasp, manifested the unmistakable, reality-transcending form of a brilliant collection of ethereal energy: a `SOUL.`* Her `SOUL,` Incarnating into the form of a bow-and-arrow. The air around her shifted with the physical manifestation of the spiritual concept, her hair fluttering beyond her brow as the tassels of her hat and dress drifting in the strong current generated by the sheer density of its magical presence. Merely by the creation of the object, the tremendous skill she possessed with magic was made unmistakably evident.\n\n```\n\"𝑭𝒊𝒂𝒕 𝑳𝒖𝒙.\"```\n\nAs she whispered, the effulgent, violet energy — formed as an arrow in her fingertips — was leased, hurtling high into the sky over the crowd, twinkling like a star high overhead...\n\n```\n\"Thus, may the Festival of Convergence...\"```\n\n*```\n𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕄!!\n\n\"...Begin!\"```\n\nThe Festival of Convergence begins." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "CLANG.\n\nThe sound of a sheathed, unrevealed blade stumbling off the rocks of an magically-constructed, complex ornamental water fountain near the bubbling center of the ongoing festivities. It was beautifully decorated with luminescent gems built-into stone, sparkling animations of aqua, and lighting from airborne sky-lanterns dozing off above it, not unsimilar to the rest of the extravagance presented by this so-proclaimed \"Festival of Convergence\". Within the immediate midst of low applause and the signaled, rather glamorous commencing of all activities, few could or would stop to behold or acknowledge the mishandled weapon, including possible questions as to why it was present. The person who'd lost it would claim it in short order.\n\nThe young woman of apathetic, unconformist appearance and eyes yet to be bared too the world weakly used the rocks of the fountain she sat on to push herself up. She had a noticeable, tedious limp as she navigated just a few inches to the floored blade, her shoulder forcing an uneven balance and emphasis on the right side of her body. Bending down, as it's surface reflected over her purple-tint sunglasses, she, with some struggle, reached for and grabbed the weapon, before quickly moving to gain healthier stance by practically slamming the closed end of the sheath onto the ground. She let out a barely audible sigh, looking up at the rest of the general environment and preferring to ignore the possibility of concerned onlookers. The truth was that she, having zoned out almost entirely, was startled by the sudden loudness of her surroundings and dropped the item. Losing awareness here of all places was certainly a feat.\n\nWhat an elaborate performance— one that she had very little means of enduring due to its abrasive sound. Nothing personal, Never* Personal, but these sort of endeavors, boisterous displays, just weren't her cup of tea, albeit impressive. After all, she'd had stopped paying attention because she was utte\n\nRly exhausted, and unfortunately, this was nearly Always The case for her. However, today, it was acceptable due to the fact that she, for whatever reason, had to be here, according to a trustworthy source that was all too close and personal for her liking, not that she had a choice or wasn't grateful. The source? Her Blade— as in what was inside of it, to be clear." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"EXCEPTIONAL TIMING. YOU WERE ASLEEP FOR SOME TIME.\"]\n```\nWords that echoed into her mind, of which only she could discern as they came from a part of her SOUL Directly. A voice she heard everyday, a figment of her subconscious and with a tone that was. . . Hard to describe, given that it didn't exactly have tangible vocal cords anymore. The comment it made was not from a place of snark or sarcasm, but rather a simple, yet understandable misinterpretation proportionate to the individual who had a habit of doing so." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\". . .I wasn't asleep. Just dozed off. Sorry.\"``\n\nHer name was Ha, recent huntress of the O.S.A, grade D. Tired, disinterested, blind and crippled, yet not disdainful or depressed Ha. She'd only done a few missions in about 5 months— to the dismay of her partner, Salhaeja, a spirit of sorts inhibiting her sword. Such information was not exactly made public for obvious reasons. As aforementioned, she was here because the Blade Told her to be, strongly claiming that something 'drastic' would happen at some point in time. She believed it, of course, but a festival like this was almost somewhere she never wanted to be. This was going to be their 'big break', in human terms. The sword itself helps her walk, among other things, and in exchange, this was her job, albeit that wasn't entirely how the agreement was made. Her tone in response to her friend was, as usual, faint mellow, and dubbed with her slight Korean accent, akin to as if she'd just woken up despite insisting she didn't, and actually being correct. Still, saying 'sorry' was something she had to do uncomfortably often.\n\nTo sum up her issues? Well, she Died Some time ago. Then she came back, but nobody else did except for what probably killed her— the sword, technically speaking. She also can't walk without support or see anything, which does not quite support her chosen profession and its risks. Regardless, she turned with one end of the blade firmly gripped, rubbing her eyes using her other hand through the glasses, and then deciding that it'd just be better to slowly trudge and navigate the festival until Salhaeja saw something relevant to its claims. Who knows? Maybe she'll meet someone interesting, or interested in her, but hopefully not that much, not that it matters. She had nothing much to say, granted." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "The faint light of a cigarette in an alleyway was the only thing that illuminated her body against her surroundings. She wasn't one for grand events crowded with hundreds - even thousands of people, yet a gut feeling told her that something just had to be up here. Something had to go wrong, no event would ever go perfectly to plan. This one, so grand in all its glory, there would certainly be people waiting to ruin it or overtake it for some ulterior motive. She preferred rather than being in the middle of this to stay off to the sidelines, in the dark, where no one would bother her with conversation. She wasn't one to prefer talking with people and being lively, much more prefering to get in, do whatever work had to be done, and get out. That was mostly how her life went, it wasn't anything to be proud of and she was far from it but, at the very least, she wasn't stuck with those damned people called her mother and father. She exhaled smoke from the cigarette hanging loosely from her mouth, glancing up at the sky boredly as she waited for something - anything not planned - to actually happen, tapping on the side of one of her pistols quietly." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "A woman walked along here, having a unique apperance to say the least. Most notably, though, the majority of her face was concealed by either her mask or her bangs, leaving the only clearly visible part of her face her right eye. She also had what looked like some regal-looking sword placed vertically across her back. Anyway, she just took a look around-needless to say that this area, all of it was pretty new to her, and she looked fairly intrigued-especially since her own nation is a freezing cold prison nation in the middle of bum fuck nowhere, so that combined with her very busy and stressful job as Supreme Justice of her world means it's rare she gets to see, much less even attend, events like these. She firmly stood in a sword plant, unmoving-almost like a statue, and almost comically expressing no sort of emotion or reaction to the events around her." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She glanced around from her little alleyway corner at the people appearing in the crowd, glazing over the typical residents and taking more of her time analyzing meticulously the details of anyone that caught her eye. Whether it be for unique appearance, odd behavior, or a mixture of both. She trusted no one, anyone that had a friendly face could just as easily be the one behind some attack. Though, other than the odd figures in the crowd, the event seemed to be proceeding as according to plan. \n\nAnother exhale of smoke.\n\nMaybe coming here was just out of paranoia or hopes that something would go wrong, rather than her intuition being right about this place. Though, that could also simply be her own mind telling her to leave as she was far from enjoying this place. The loud noise of the crowd mixed with whatever music and chatter of conversations passing by was becoming a headache." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking around this new world he found himself in and finding a new comrade, he's mesmerized by the bright lights of the world around him. He reaches into his jacket pocket, still covered in blood only having a cloth piece sewed onto the once bullet hole, pulls out his pack if cigarettes grabbing his last one cursing under his breath that he must buy a new pack. Looking at his new comrade who saved his life" } ]	250	3,485
113.158333	2023-12-18	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Just walking around with her new pal, she glances around taking in her surroundings while writing down everything that fascinates in her journal. She is amazed by all her new surroundings and is excited from what could come from this festival." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "After shutting the door to his car and locking it up, he nonchalantly strolled down the stairs of the parking garage until he reached the ground floor. In the distance he could hear the sound of excitement and music, making a mental note that the source was his destination. He cracked his neck, shifting his pistol holsters to a more comfortable position before stepping out of the garage into the sunlight. After making his way through streets and alleys lined with people in bright, festive outfits, he finally arrived at the Festival Center, glancing around at the diverse crowd of folks that surrounded it. Fun. He lit a cigarette, cupping his hand around his lighter to shield it from the wind, before deciding to explore the Festival grounds. This was a rather large event, but hey, it's a large city, and a large reason to celebrate. Thinking about it now, he was a little more anxious about it. The big stuff tends to be magnets for bad activity. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but he kept the thought in the back of his mind just in case. On the upside, at least he was prepared. He never went anywhere unarmed, mostly for good reason. But that's a negative way to think. For now he intended to just enjoy the festivities, wind down and celebrate the tenth anniversary of a world reborn for the better." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She peered further out from the alleyway she was hanging out in, taking note of a few people that seemed to stick out from the crowd somewhat. William and Athena seemed to be sticking together, probably friends, though her eyes focused more on William given his attire. She didn't think this was a formal event, but maybe he just preferred to dress like that, after all, who was she to judge? Just a minor mental note anyways. The other lady she took notice of was Rita with the unique sword she had holstered on her back. Something to note, but she wasn't acting suspicious so she wouldn't count her as a possible trouble maker or one to disrupt the event. Same went for Daniel, first thing she took notice of was the fact that he was somewhat armed from what she could pick out, a good few people were, but maybe they were just as anxious to see something go wrong like she did. Just like that one.. Odd lady. She felt bad somewhat given the way that the woman limped and appeared to be blind. What was she doing here? It would be difficult to navigate around with all the noise wouldn't it? None of her business of course, so for now, she just kept watching. After a bit though she had to change out her cigarettes as unfortunately she was quite addicted to the things at the young age of just 19." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at the sky of the bright lights above he began to remember the war and the way the flares would light the trenches and no man's land, he remembered the mud and blood sending a chill down his spine. Not wishing to cause an accident or scene he shifted his holster away from his hand, tighting his coat and placing his bandana around his neck. Looking away he noticed a shimmer of a light in the alleyway but it quickly vanished deciding not to investigate. He wondered if he needed a new coat after the years of abuse this one has seen" }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "After a few seconds of taking in some of the sights of the scene, he glanced around and assessed a few individuals who he deemed notable. Cue overactive detail-oriented brain. He first noticed a young woman, red hair, who seemed to be in at least her early twenties, smoking in an alleyway. He gave a slightly amused huff, glancing at the cigarette in his own hand. At least he wasn't the only one. The next folks to cross his eyes were a duo, a man and a woman. The man seemed to look like he came from a different time entirely - It gave Dan some slight confusion, but he shrugged it off, he could wear what he wanted after all. He took note of the woman he walked with, blonde hair, similar in age to the other young woman. She seemed to be enjoying her time there. Finally, he took note of another woman, masked, armed, and oddly. Still. He raised an eyebrow, but turned to look away, not wanting to be rude. As he kept walking, his attention elsewhere, he almost walked himself right into a beautifully constructed fountain, accompanied by a seemingly injured person carrying a rather large sword. Despite almost bumping more into the fountain than her, he swiftly apologized, his eyes narrow under his sunglasses." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She likely met eyes with Daniel when his eyes assessed her briefly, though she absolutely hated eye-contact so she quickly just glanced back down to her feet, looking up once she felt him look away and snickering at him nearly bumping into the fountain. Lost in thought probably, though she would be one to talk as that had happened to her many times. So far so good though, people seemed to be happy at least.. Except her of course, being moody as always and refusing to enjoy the sunlight and loud music. She didn't have any condition preventing her from going out into the sun, she just didn't like it, and the fact she was layered up a lot with both a sweater and hoodie didn't exactly help her." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "He was confused by the festivities and the people around him, his new comrade, who he's gotten to call witch lady, told him that it was her first time attending the festival as well. He wondered what she kept writing in her journal and what the purpose of it was, maybe to study the world? He couldn't know and he wouldn't dare ask for he saw it as rude especially since this witch lady has saved his life not just a few weeks ago. He wondered what the purpose of the festival was and why it was so important. Confused of the new world he wondered if everything changed since his time" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She had a plan, for today.\nNot that that was an uncommon thing for her, of course- she had a plan for just about every day. Where to go, what to do... All set from the moment she woke up from the moment she went to sleep. She found the structure.. Comforting. It was one of the reasons she was so un-comfortable as she entered the noisy, large crowd that filled the festival. She'd been to this festival each and every year, and yet she still hadn't gotten used to it. Her plan, all-in-all, wasn't a complex one- she had a few different stalls she intended to visit, one for armor, one for medical supplies that might help her mend her eye quicker... And a shadier one she wasn't even sure was here. Hopefully, the last of these would be able to get her information on other people from where she was from- to help relocate the people she'd been separated with. She kept her eye out in the crowd, of course, but kept her hopes low. There were far too many people here to make finding familiar faces an easy task, even with her eyesight.\nShe bumped into someone as she thought this- a quick apology set it straight but... The discomfort lingered. Her right side. Still far more vulnerable than she'd ever like. Finding people in this crowd with only half her normal vision would be... Frustrating. But all the same, she had a plan, and she was going to stick to it.\nA structured, regular festival. Same as it had always been." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\". . .WE ARE BEING WATCHED.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\"—\"``\n\nBefore she could mutter back, she felt a slight bump from the errant Daniel into her backside that caused her to lightly, but not excessively stumble, able to regain balance using the sheathed blade. She grabbed her right leg with her left hand, feeling moderate pressure on it from the small impact, but nonetheless turned around with an expression that did not indicate anger. Rather, and it took a moment, but she put on a weak, measly smiled, as if it were struggling to keep itself together— not because it was a farce, but because she was visibly spent of energy. She Was Displeased at the fact that she didn't notice the man beforehand, albeit, considering the importance of the matter that demanded her presence as stated by Salhaeja, but obviously it was an accident, unintended and barely worth any level of strife. Her fault, not his, and she hoped he wouldn't pity the cripple to compensate for it.\n\n``\". . .Oh, it's fine. I should've been paying attention.\"`` Her voice was elevated, yet maintained the same level of mellowness and fatigue, adding a slight inflection of pain from her leg. Sal provided her mental dialogue of the man's appearance; brown jacket, white tee, blue pants that probably had a belt, shoes, some sunglasses that weren't similar to hers, and a type of hairstyle she couldn't remember the name of. She wasn't one for details or thorough outlooks, nor especially for Good Fashion sense, obviously, although it wasn't a style something she'd seen commonly for what that was worth. As for what she was wearing? An atrocity to the eyes— an oversized Nyan Cat Purple shirt, Poptart pink pants that were also too big, and gray shoes that were hard to discern whether they were slippers or normal sneakers. Her pajamas— at a prestigious festival, mind you— were barely held together by a large purple coat she wore, alongside hair tied into a lazy bun. Salhaeja despised her wardrobe, but this matter took precedence." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"THIS ONE. ASK HIM WHAT HE KNOWS.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She watched meticulously as another newcomer caught her eye that stood out from the large crowd, a clear eyepatch on her face. Curious about the backstory, but not enough for her to go over and right out ask what happened. She snickered once the woman bumped into another festival-goer. It seemed that such things were inevitable given how crowded and squeezed together everyone was from the turn out. Hopefully not too many other people would join or else there was the chance her alleyway would be overrun with people trying to get away from the heated and noisy environment." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "She looked down at her sword for a moment, nodded, then turned back up to Daniel, palming both hands on her blade as to stand in one place. 'What he knows' could've meant anything, but based on what Salhaeja just said, she figured he was referring to the supposed stalker among them, in accordance to his unanswered comment earlier. Also, it seemed like a pretty decent icebreaker, all things considered. She probably would've spoke to him anyway, because why not?\n\n``\"So, you, well—\"`` At first, she struggled on how to phrase it, but then continued. ``\"I've got this. . . Feeling, we're being watched. And at things like this, bad feelings aren't great to have, really. . .\"`` She kind of laughed after her inquiry, acknowledging the oddity of such a question. However, she almost immediately realized her blunder; she hadn't even introduced herself, or asked the man his name.\n\n``\"—Oh, and, well, what's your name? Mine's. . . Ha. Like, haha.\"`` She sorted of shrugged at her own explanation, as if not fully convinced it was a good one. It was apparent that her pauses throughout her speech were not out of pure awkwardness, but the fact that she was, again, tired, as though struggling to put words and sentences together." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "He first raised an eyebrow at the inquiry of them being watched, but took a moment to think, and realized it was a fair assessment, especially in a crowded environment such as this. Although, a warm grin spread across his face at the introduction, not in the way that he was amused, but moreso that he appreciated the gesture.\n\n\"Name's Daniel. Could be Dan for short, whatever's easiest for you.\"" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"BE SPECIFIC. KEEP GOING.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "\"``Daniel. . . I'm sorry in advance if I forget, I'm bad with remembering.\"`` Ha's accent was more noticeable on certain words, like 'remembering', and her slang wasn't always perfect, but still pretty good. She determined that it'd be rude to just brush off his reply and go straight to what Salhaeja demanded, so she 'kept going' as he suggested, albeit in a different direction. He seemed nice, much as his appearance was rough on the exterior— in a positive way, not an insult. A pleasant, uncomplicated talk like this in an event this loud and buzzling was a refresher.\n\n``\"What brings you here today, Dan? Something to look for?\"`` She'd bring up the apparent stalking issue momentarily. For now, she was content with having this meaningless, but time passing interaction. That said, she did wonder what exactly Salhaeja was actually talking about by 'being watched', considering he could've elaborated, but chose not to. Perhaps he wasn't sure? Or were there multiple parties watching, maybe? He asked her to be specific, but did not specify on What Exactly to be specific on. As such, she subtly bumped the blade against the ground harmlessly, essentially the equivalent of tapping Salhaeja on the shoulder." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"ALLEYWAY.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "He shook his head, with a pleasant smile. \"No need to apologize. But, yeah, that's pretty much it. I heard about it a while ago while out shopping, and I figured it'd be a nice change of pace.\" He seemed content in the conversation, judging this person to be friendly, someone he need not worry about. He relaxed, holding his cigarette between his fingers with a patient demeanor." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"GET TO THE POINT. PEOPLE WILL GET HURT.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha did not physically acknowledge his words, but she understood. She tilted her head, sighing to the point that it was, again, inaudible, as she moved on from the pleasantries they exchanged. Guilt tripping her Always Worked, but he didn't have to resort to it so quickly. That must've meant this was that important, or that Salhaeja was just especially impatient this evening. She was enjoying the little conversation they were having, and it was helping fight back against her fatigue, as well as her general disinterest. Now, she had to return on focusing on things that Actually Mattered. Things that were draining, and yet, she couldn't help herself. The sword wouldn't let up; it never does.\n\n``\"Oh, yes. . . Well, earlier I'd brought up. . . Being watched, and, well. Something. . . Alleyway?\"`` She genuinely could not come up with the end of her sentence and blurted out what Salhaeja had mentioned— granted, that was Literally All he said, in singular word form. Ha was perplexed that this particular person, the one that so happened to bump into her, was the one that her bladed presumed could've knew something. Out of all the hundreds of strangers, the first one she interacts with? At that point, it just seemed random, uninformed, but she knew not to doubt Salhaeja's knowledge or drive. He, unlike her, was dedicated to this like his life depended on it. \n\nShe felt bad skipping around Dan's response, additionally because he'd come here to actually enjoy himself, or at least experience something new. Whatever Salhaeja knew probably wasn't what he bargained for— or maybe it was. The man seemed relaxed, though, unbothered and unjudgmental of the crippled lady he spoke to. Most people would've shrieked at her inappropriate attire, or gave her a look of pity, not that she cared about that sort of assumption greatly. Really, she only felt bad knowing that people would eventually find out she is not Entirely Disabled as she appears to be. ``\"Someone. . . There?\"``\n\nThat was a guess. She slightly leaned over against her blade, trying to make her words slightly more discrete, albeit not exactly necessary to do so." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Taking to note the odd demeanor and admittedly strange wording, he decided that these were words he should acknowledge. He glanced around, scanning every alleyway for someone who could've been watching without their knowledge. However... Surely they didn't mean the young woman with the red hair. He hadn't particularly clocked her as someone to worry about, but they stood out more against the bustling alleyways than most others did. Daniel looked back at Ha, motioning subtly back towards the alleyway and raising his eyebrow, as if it to ask, \"Her?\"" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She glanced around boredly, though noticing out the corner of her eye that Daniel motioned to her very faintly, though maybe she was just seeing something, she decided to watch the two converse just to ensure that she was not assuming something. Though she simply had a gut feeling - intuition that they were talking about her and not in a good way.. Well, almost no one ever spoke about her in a positive manner to be fair. Not like she could blame them though, she never had a great reputation to start." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"YES. THAT ONE.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\". . .\"`` Ha had a puzzled look behind her sunglasses, but she figured at this point she was thinking too much about more questions than she could handle. Nonetheless, his motion was apparently correct— and naturally, she had not sensed the aforementioned woman at any point, despite the fact that she was quite literally the only person hanging around an alleyway in the midst of a bustling festival. In fact, Ha only knew she was a woman because Daniel said 'her' specifically. She was, for lack of better term, off her game in this place, not that she was always razor sharp elsewhere excluding when things got messy. Salhaeja did not elaborate upon his confirmation in the slightest, and whether or not this mystery woman was or associated with the threat he mentioned was unclear, leaving her only option to make assumptions. He was usually transparent with intentions or motive.\n\n``\". . .Can we go this way?\"`` She spoke plainly, yet not losing her intonation of exhaustion. There was an implication based on the vagueness that she wanted to discuss something, as she made a similar motion to Dan earlier using her floored, sheathed blade to their right, further into the heart of the festival. In general, Daniel seemed. . . Trustworthy, based somewhat on her general assumption, but mostly on the fact that Salhaeja was willing to include his input; he wasn't one for trusting others, quick to be overcautious and judgmental. Discretion was probably what she was supposed to do in this sort of situation, but the fact of the matter was that she had no clue what to say other than the most generic of assessments. Even so, Ha began to limp and navigate towards the innards of the festivities, using her concealed blade as the prototypical crutch, and, assuming he followed, would do her best to explain on lackluster intel." }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He's finally arrived at all the shining lights, hoping to meet some new people, he's more than abnormal looking, he sticks out like a sore thumb, but he just hopes to make a new friend or two." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Noticing a kind of shadow man standing under the light he wonders if its a trick of his imagination or an actual person, he remembered how in the war there were rumors of beasts in the night maybe this was one? Nudging Athena next to him he asks \"Do you see that shadow over there?\" Pointing his hand at the anomaly" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "After being nudged by William and getting asked about the shadow she looks towards where he was pointing and says \"Yea, tho i dont see anything that could be causing it. Weird\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He looks around and just kinda a makes an awkward side step to the left, out from under the light." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Seeing the shadow vanish into the darkness sent a chill down his spine, it reminded him of how the soldiers crossing no man's land would hide in the shadows to attempt to sneak closer in order to make a surprise raid, he would do the same being part of night raids. Deciding to investigate the anomaly he reaches towards his side griping his revolver and checking to see if he was fully loaded, he was, and investigate the light with his witch lady friend" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena calls out \"Hello, Anyone there?\" As she approaches the streetlight looking around to see if she can see anything" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "His shining beady white eyes dart to look at the two, he saw how William gripped his revolver and immediately made a low grumbling sound as his eyes got wider." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Hearing the sound of growling it sounded like an animal to William like the ones he would hunt in the mountains of Arizona, realizing he was still gripping his revolver he softly eased his hand and lowered it down, still in reach just in case he needed a Quickdraw but to present himself as harmless and potentially make an ally with this anomaly. Saying in a clear voice \"I don't want a fight with you shadow just merely wish to speak and acquaint ourselves\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He stopped growling and stepped back into the light. \"Sorry about that, I'm not really used to acting in hostile situations so i just kinda turn feral, and sorry if my appearance scared you, I was just kinda born like this.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Holding out her hand Athena says \"Nice to meet you, Im Athena\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Easing up his stance he says \"Names William, sorry if I made you think I was hostile and don't worry I think you look pretty cool\" Saying with a soft chuckle" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He shook Athena's hand. \"Name's Max, and as you can tell I'm not really from here.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena says \"Firm grip and don't worry we are also new here, wanna tag along and enjoy the festival?\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "\"Sure why not i was hoping to make some new friends anyway.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"I would offer you a cigarette but I'm kinda out right now so sorry about that\" While offering a soft smile and outstretched his hand \"Tell me about yourself max\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He shook Williams hand. \"Well for starters I can't really smoke, believe or not I'm only 14.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"Things really have changed since my time, where I'm from 14 year old would work in factories and mines they could smoke and drink but mainly because the bosses didn't care. I'm not from this era or world actually, I'm fron 1927 this witch lady found me in an alleyway and saved me so I reckon that gives to her character\" Shifting his weight off his left leg no longer in the stance for a Quickdraw allowing himself to have a calmer body language" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena says \"For the last time, im not a witch, im a detective\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Giving his friend a puzzled look he says \"But you're a witch, you have those bird things\" While also turning his attention towards max and asking \"Are you a witch or a wizard?\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He looks at William and just rubs his head while thinking. \"Y'know i don't really think I'm either since i don't really use magic, but i can absorb it to an extent and then make it into some kind a weapon." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"That's pretty cool\" While turning towards Athena and saying \"Well cmon then let's get going and continue this search of this world\" And waving his hand towards max as a gesture for him to follow us and continue our interaction" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena says \"Alright, lets continue the adventure\" As she starts walking towards the market stalls" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He walks with them and just looks around." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Approaching one of the stalls he looks around mesmerized by the beautifully crafted items such as banners, cups, whistles, and jewelry full of bright and shiny jewels, he wondered if his mother would've liked any of this stuff if she was still here but he doubts she would be happy with him due to his recent life. He spots a leather jacket which is cut to fit right above his waist, fitting like a denim trucker jacket, but he has no money to buy such a jacket and turns away towards Athena and max to observe them" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Observing all the market items she notices a stall with magic puzzles and starts digging through her pockets, but found no money to buy anything" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "There wasn't much that intrigued him, he just looked at Athena and William.* \"You guy's need help with getting something?\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena replies with \"Im good, thanks for the offer tho\" As she continues to observe the magic puzzles" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at max he says \"I don't have money or well I do but i don't think my money will still work in this time era thanks for the offer though.\" While he looks back at more of the stalls to see what they have to offer\n\nLooking through the rest of the stalls he spots many different things that intrigued him, spotting pieces of ornate silver and statues, clothing that he is confused on why people wear that style, thinking on whether he should try buying something unsure if his money is still valid in this era was when he saw a picture of the Great War. It was a picture of the American Expedition Force, the same unit he served in and there he was standing in the second row behind his comrades. He gave a solem sigh and asked the shopkeeper if he could buy a pack of cigarettes with the money he had. They said yes, he immediately put the first one upside down saying \"In the mud and blood we shall fight and when this last smoke is done I shall know I survived\" Sadden by the picture he walks towards Athena to see what she was interested in" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Noticing William in a now somber mood walk over, Athena looks at him and asks \"You seem gloomy all of a sudden, whats up?\" As she stands up to to focus on him instead of the magic puzzles." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking down to his new pal, the height difference between the two offering some kind of comic relief says \"It's an old memory, something from a younger time.\" While patting his short friend of the head and asking \"So what are you interested in?\" While looking at the magic puzzles she was just looking at" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "In response to William, Athena says \"These are magic puzzles, really fascinating and a bit tricky at times, quite expensive tho. Sometimes you even get a little prize or fortune from completing them\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"So you are a witch\" While looking at his friend and looking around for max and saying \"I told you she was a witch\" But also intrigued by the puzzle wondering how the puzzle could be magic and how they're solved" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena responds with \"Not a witch, magic is common in this era, its pretty much everywhere you look and witches are more magic potions and such this would be more of a artificer thing, right max?\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He just stared at them with wide eyes, he wasn't about to turn hostile, bro was just very confused. \"I'm not really the person to ask about this, where i come from people who can use magic and things of that such are just called witches.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"See he agrees with me, you're a witch but a good witch by that\" And turning towards max he asks \"Speaking of where you're from where is that? If you don't mind me asking\" While giving an apologetic shrug towards the shadowy man infront of him." }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "His eyes went back to normal and he just looked at his hand before looking back at William. \"I'll tell you another time, it's not very special anyway.\" He completely dodged the question, his voice sounding a bit more nervous." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Hearing the nervousness in his voice he decided to let him dodge it and not push. He looked at max and said \"I would love to hear about it sometime.\" While turning towards Athena and asking \"What makes these puzzles special?\" Having a confused face and his hands inside his pockets leaning against a wall of the stall" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "To reply to William, Athena says \"The magic tech used in these puzzles is complex and advanced, and each one is unique. There are even some that work based on your soul, however they managed to do that tho is beyond me\"\n\n\"Anyways\" Athena says looking towards Max, she asks \"Is there anywhere or anything that piques your interest\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "\"Not really, I only really came here to make some new friends which happened pretty quickly.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at max wondering why he only wanted to make new friends and not explore especially for someone of his age, he says \"Well it was pretty easy to spot you especially since you were a shadow under a street light\" Giving a smile to the shadow man" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He stared at William and only just now realized how much he stuck out. \"Y'know I only just now thought of how I stick out like a sore thumb, I mean look at me I look like a horror movie killer, and I look even scarier in the dark, this explains a lot actually.\"" }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "She stood in a sword plant, standing guard and remaining completely unmoving and unwavering-monitoring what happened around her. Her bangs retracted, which briefly revealed her heterochromia/turquoise-colored right eye for a quick moment before it was covered again." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena noticing a figure just standing in the distance waves them over as if welcoming them to join the group of distinctive individuals" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking towards the direction that Athena was waving to, he noticed the lady and asked Athena if she knew that person, he felt uneasy seeing the person he didn't know why so he reached towards his 1917 smith on his hip, his hand just slightly under the grip of the revolver, ready to draw if needed" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Replying to William, \"No, just seeing if they wanted to join us on our adventures\" She says as she goes back to looking at the market stall wares" }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "She looked over to see the person reaching for some kind of weapon, it seemed. She then walked over to them.\n\n\"Please do not fret, I intend to do no harm upon you or anyone here.\"\n\nShe sounded reassuring, yet at the same time her tone of voice sounded very stoic, monotonous strict... Commanding, even to a point where it felt like she almost comically expressed no kind of emotion at all." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Hearing the tone of her voice reminded him of the his old bosses softly easing his hand and asking \"What's your name, if you don't mind me asking\" While putting his coat over his holster" }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "\"I am Rita Kanisuka, what of you?\"\n\nShe analyzed him-to her, he seemed fairly normal, nothing really to be concerned about. Her duty as a judge and Supreme Justice did make it a habit of hers, somewhat." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"Names William, this is the witch lady who saved my life and that's a shadow man who we met today\" Saying this while pointing at both Athena and max offering them to introduce themselves" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Hearing William say Witch Lady, Athena turns around to say \"I told you im not a witch\" When she notices the person from the distance, she walks closer holding out her hand and says \"Heya, Im Athena. Nice to meet you\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He had dozed off for a quick moment but finally snapped back and stared at Rita. \"Oh hey, name's Max.\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Sniff... Sniff...\n\n\"I'd be hella damned if I said all 'at festival food didn't smell good...\"\n\nKuouo's stood atop a four-story apartment complex, wiping the drool from his chin with one paw and tightly grasping his stomach with the other. The bandit's metabolism burned through calories faster than fire eats wood, so he found it imperative to act on his instincts and forage the concrete jungle for his next meal.\n\n\"Lesee, I jus' spent the last of my cash on payin' back my tab at Fuku's..\" The bandit scanned the enormous crowd of people partaking in the festivities; they were all buying trinkets, foods, and spending money on carnival games. Kuouo's face grew mischeviously devious, mirroring a wanted poster for his capture posted at the bottom floor. \"But that ain't gonna be a problem.\" He confidently declared. \n\n*\"This place is gonna be ripe for pickin'!\"\n\n* *\nAnd so began the bandit's descent onto the festival. His fur rustled in his sprint off the ledge, hopping over to grab the ladder connected to next building over and sliding down to the ground floor. With a step out of the alleyway, the Medeian thief was now surrounded by a sea of people no longer disturbed by the whims of the Disparity. But, even so, he wouldn't let himself get swept under that same sense of safety — After all, he was a wanted man! He kept an observant eye out on the security detail of the festival, swerving through the masses before finally spotting an easy mark.\n\n\"These bozos seem pretty distracted right now, daheh!\" Kuouo whispered to himself under a cocky smirk. In front of the goat were four individuals making acquaintances amongst themselves in front of a market stall — Three of them with trenchcoats, which made for an easier pickpocket since it didn't hug their skin like skinny jeans. \n\nIn nearly an instant, he made a quick assessment from what he slightly observed — The girl in the trenchcoat had been distracted by the wares in front of her before turning around to correct the cowboy-guy's misattribution in introducing her to the steadfast-looking lady with the bangs. Meanwhile, the spooky shadow looking guy had just snapped back to reality, probably off daydreaming before turning his attention to the same lady. \n\n\"Time t' make my move!\"\n\nKuouo approached the market stall pretty non-chalantly, inserting himself in the space between the group's behind and the stall counter. He walked past them as if he were trying to avoid the crowd behind Rita, subtly and nimbly planting his sticky paws into their pockets, starting with the cowboy's trenchcoat pockets, moving onto the detective's trenchcoat, and finally, the shadow person's trenchcoat. His actions were discreet, but not unobservable — Especially towards the chick with bangs and a sword. If any of them had a keen enough sense of their surroundings, they'd be able to pull away and possibly confront the bandit. Otherwise, Kuouo would make off with whatever he found in any of their pockets." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Noticing the goat man walking past, he paid no mind to him till he felt something be taken from his coat, reaching inside he noticed that his old Pinkerton badge was taken, quickly drawing his Smith 1917 he asked for his badge back" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He just looks at the two grabbing their weapons before putting his hand on his hat." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "\" . . . .\"\n\nShe took a further look around, only to see some odd... Goat looking man? Whatever, it didn't matter to her-what Did* Matter is that he looked quite suspicious to her, his mannerisms didn't give her the best vibes. That's when she immediately turned her head to the anthropomorphic goat person, taking the sword from her back and immediately pointing the blade at his face.\n\n\"Whatever you have stolen, return it this instant, thief.\"\n\nAs always, her voice sounded very cold and commanding-it was meant to exude that she was serious and would not hesitate to take action against this person if it came down to it. She normally doesn't like immediately going to physical disputes, but she also understands that for some people it does seem to be the only language they can understand. She had Hoped It wouldn't be the case here, at least.\n\n\"Do as I command, and no harm shall come upon you. Resist and I will not hesitate to take action. Do not make the foolish mistake of confusing my offering of mercy for naivety.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"Just give back what you took from the others, you wont win this fight\" Athena says as she glares at the goat man" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"Ho-ho-holy shit, ye guys are broke as hell!\" The bandit snickered in the face of two swords unsheathed towards him as well as the barrel of a six-shooter being aimed directly at his face. \"Is this thing even made o' silver? White gold, maybe?\" Despite being faced with retaliation from his made marks, the bandit stayed non-chalant, biting down on the metallic badge in a sorry attempt to figure out the material. \"I mean, honestly, if all three of ya are gonna jump me over this, at least let it be over somethin' valuable!\" Kuouo smirked, tossing the badge over his shoulder and putting his left paw on the hilt of Infernium. The sword-fighters he could handle if they advanced forward, but he kept a sharp eye on William's revolver in case he decided to shoot.\n\n\"Yer boy over there can fetch his useless badge if he so chooses,\" Kuouo gripped his dagger handle, \"But I ain't doin' it cuz I'm afraid of any of ya.\" Kuouo's smile beamed with confidence — or rather, cockiness. \"In fact, if any of ya had money I'm sure I'd be able t' take ya down and rob ya blind! And if any of ya wanna test that theory, be my guest. Otherwise, fuck off and consider yerselves lucky ye didn't have a wallet stock-full of cash on ya!\"" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She perked up finally as she spaced out for a good while given the lack of any real action going on but one she heard the distant conflict within the crowd she narrowed her eyes to get a look at what was going on. A.. Really sad excuse for pickpocketing it seemed, and the guy even got caught. How stupid do you have to be to pickpocket people in the middle of a huge and busy festival with multiple witnesses around? Whatever.. Not her business to bother critiquing. Though he seemed to actually stand out from the people she had looked at earlier as he wasn't human-looking. Past petty pick-pocketing though, he didn't seem like he was a big enough threat to the festival, especially since he just got caught." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "\"I care not for the actions of the others. I Am judge, Supreme Justice, thus it is my Duty To appropriately deal with troubling individuals such as you regardless of what you intend on taking. Your actions are illegal, and thus it is my duty to ensure you receive your punishment. Now, I offer you one chance. Cease your ways and leave, or I take action against you. Choose wisely.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"For a thief, you sure do talk big about poor people\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "Two Cutlass shaped protrusions stabbed through his trench, his arms elongated and his eyes went wide, he then started to stare at Kuouo before making a low grumbling noise." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"Ya sure like t' talk high and mighty about yerself.\" \n\nKuouo dismissed Rita's valorant threat rife with justice and what not, including the last pitstop of mercy given to him. Especially since all William had to do was sadly stumble on over to the street and pick up his badge. All in all, the situation was handled over the one item the bandit managed to purloin, but he didn't take kindly to the way Rita was speaking down to him, nor how the spooky figure beside them was growling like a feral beast. \n\n\"And o' course I'mma be miffed if yer comin' down to a festival with no money on hand.\" Kuouo scoffed as he slightly turned to address Athena's tongue. \"If everyone's broke, where's the fun in stealin'?\" He snickered before turning his attention back to Rita. \"Anyhow, as botched as my little excursion on yer dusty ass trenchcoats were, I ain't givin' up shit.\" His right paw shot out a middle digit, coupled with a wink, stuck-out tongue, and a middle finger to Rita's ultimatum. \"So take that and get the fuck outta here.\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He immediately rushed at Kuouo, his right arm stretched out as he tried to grab and crush him." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Watching this happen he decides that he's just gonna sit back and watch after picking up his badge and putting his pistol back into the holster" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena keeping her katana ready to attack if necassary yells \"Kick his ass Max, You got this!\"" }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "She sighed. She was only hoping to arrest this person, not eviscerate them.\n\n\"It would seem... That your brain does not run nearly as fast as your mouth does. That is quite unfortunate. My aim is not to be \"High and mighty\", it is simply me doing my job and nothing more. I am confused as to why you have supposedly gotten this far in your life with such a reckless, arrogant, and overconfident attitude-it seems you have yet to be humbled.\n\nShe then walked over behind the goat man, grabbing him and moving out the way of Max's assault, then just-placing handcuffs on him, as she then spoke to Max.\n\n\"Please be aware that attempted murder over such a trivial thing makes You A criminal of a higher offense. If you continue I shall have to deal with you accordingly as well.\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He stopped his assault for a moment as two more protrusions stabbed through his trenchcoat and started to twitch violently, his grumbling became louder as his arms went back to normal but his eyes didn't, only staring at Rita as the protrusions twitched more and more." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena sheaths her katana and walks up to max planing a hand on his shoulder saying \"Its ok now, calm down\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Walking with Athena he says \"Listen man it's not worth it, I've been in prison before and at your age it's not worth it. He's not worth the effort\" While standing next to him" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo readied his stance with his knees bent, about to dodge the feral shadow in front of him with an acroatic jump upwards before Rita calmly walked over and moved the bandit out of the way, placing him in cuffs.\n\n\"Yeah, no.\" Kuouo quickly hopped backwards, engulfing his right paw in flames and swiping the ground in front of him. Flames quickly erupted from the embers on the ground, creating a wall of flames that seperated Kuouo from Rita. There, he enacted an immense amount of tension between the cuffs, heating the chains and eventually snapping them with little-to-no harm on his wrists. \"I gave ya the chance first t' get the fuck up outta here,\" Kuouo growled, bearing his goat fangs at the 'supreme justice' in front of them. \"But now? I'm gonna make ya pay for tryna put me in cuffs.\" The wall of fire die down, revealing daggers pointed at Rita. One was Infernium, Finally unsheathed, and the second were his determined eyes stabbing into Rita. \n\nGritting his teeth, the bandit makes his advancement forward! With Infernium clanking against his cuffs as the blade was turned inward, Kuouo dashed with great speed, aiming to slice at Rita's face from her right side with the first swipe of his dagger." }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "He surprisingly listens to the two as he stops grumbling and the protrusions slowly disappear." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "\"I tried to resolve this peacefully... Yet it seems your barbaric personality understands nothing if it is not made clear through physical dispute. Something you have forced my hand to. Thus, I shall respond accordingly.\"\n\nShe blocked the strike with her own blade, before retaliating with a horizontal slash-though, she didn't aim for anything vital. It's not like she intended on killing this person anyways, even if they Do Heavily annoy her." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Clang!\n\nSparks flew at the clashing sound of Rita and Kuouo's blades connect with each other. As the blades reverberated and Rita prepared her horizontal retaliation, she's met yet again with the bandit's cocky smile up close. Yes, up close. Rita had failed to utilize the range of her sword at round start, allowing the bandit get within close range and perceive the start-up of her next attack with his sharp eyes. He completely avoids the horizontal slash, swiveling behind Rita whilst utilizing the area of opporunity given at the end of her horizontal arc.\n\n\"Yer a pretty lousy swordswoman for lettin' me get that close, ain'tcha?\" Kuouo whispered, his cockiness turning into confidence as he simultaneously reeled a fiery kick, aiming to strike the woman in the small of her back with great force and speed. Interestingly enough, he too didn't seem intent in killing her. It was almost like he was having... Fun?" }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "Clang! Sparks flew at the clashing sound of Rita and Kuouo's blades connect with each other. As the blades reverberated and R...\n\n\"Your words matter not to me.\"\n\nShe completely dismissed his taunting. Although-she was hit by the kick, getting knocked back as she promptly got up. She then jumped towards him-grabbing him and kicking him in such a manner that she'd actually flip off his body before slashing down at him once more.\n\n\"Is your mindless thirst for battle satiated? I do not enjoy this in the same manner you do. I do not enjoy it Period. This is Quite Ridiculous.\"\n\nShe clearly wasn't in the mood to have this drag on any further-not out of cowardice or anything, but because she doesn't see any actual legitimate reason to continue this. She sounded very non-chalant about it." }, { "author": "Matteo, \"la Porta-Lancea\"", "message": "__*```\n\"Enough.\"\n```__\nThe thick waves of people had already dispersed around the fight amidst the Festival, a small circle of onlookers spectating the debacle from afar. From between those spectators emerged a single man as swift, instant, and smooth as though he appeared in a blur of white light, a man: one dressed in an anachronistic, Renaissance-esque, brown-and-orange garb, decorated with accents of white-and-gold cloth, draped across by a white half-cape. All across his body were small buckles, plates, belts, straps, and padding — bits and pieces of protective gear, guarding the most vital parts of his upper and lower body — yet what caught the eye, most of all, was the rosary rest against the metal padding his breast, suspended by a beaded loop hung loosely from his neck.\n\nHe did not so much dash between them as he simply Appeared,* Fully-stanced, infront of Rita — with Kuouo positioned directly behind him — reinforced from head-to-toe with mana, intercepting Rita's kick with little more than the palm of his right hand. Her follow-up slash would be negated in a similar fashion: a thin, yet effulgent aura of pale-orange magical energy enveloped his palm, tremendously reinforcing its durability and using it to block and deflect the arc of the swing of the blade, his light-brown eyes locked with hers in the brief moment she slashed.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"𝘋𝘪𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘮𝘪 𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘰. These festivities will one day be the end of me.\"\n```\n\n...The man shook his head, his arm still outstretched and enveloped in mana, as he lifted the rosary to his brow, closing his, whispering a brief prayer. His voice was full of youth, strong, upright, and virtuous; yet at the same time, there felt an ounce of enmity — a thin sense of anger — beneath it all.\n\n```\n\"There will be no more of this on the site of the Festival.\"\n\"Your weapons will return to their sheathes. Or if even if this level of civility escapes you, I will take them myself.\"\n```\n\nHis outstretched hand lowered, as he let the wooden pearls of the rosary slip between the cracks between his fingertips, suspending the rosary with his right hand. His battle-hardened posture now eased, as he stood upright between the two, the fullness of his stature revealed: he stood at a height of 193 centimeters, extraordinarily well-built all throughout, the definition of his musculature pronounced even through the small amount of padding and armor that guarded his body." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "She stepped back to see this new arrival-she was surprised by their power to say the least, but she still didn't seem very intimidated-not even with this man's tall stature or muscular body, remaining stoic and poised as she always is. Hell, she seemed to Welcome This-it's not like she wanted the fight to continue anyways, she merely acted out of self-defense. She had already put her weapon on her back by the time he'd arrived.\n\n\"I do not know you, but it would seem we share the same sentiment of this battle being entirely pointless and unnecessary. On that front, I agree-I was not planning to continue this further regardless.\"\n\n\"That being said, I must say-that you do intrigue me. If I may, who are you?\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo was aiming to retaliate, Infernium Imbued with searing hot flames until... \n\n```\n\"Enough.\"\n```\n\nKuouo's eyes widened as a man, seemingly from thin air, appeared between the two of them dressed in a garb he had never seen before. Furthermore, even though Kuouo wasn't all that great at sensing mana as a Medei, he could feel layers of it engulfing the man. He took a step back, feeling an all-too-familiar sense of danger in the fact that the bandit wasn't unable to sense him until he appeared. He knew when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, and so the bandit would reluctantly sheathe his blade.\n\n\"Hnph. Fine, but only cuz I've changed my mind and decided I wanted t' actually eat some damn festival food today.\" He crossed his arms and huffed, cocking his head and tapping his foot paw. \n\n\"We'll call it a draw lady,\" Kuouo peeped his head to the side of the strange man's shoulder, locking eyes with Rita. \"If we meet again, I promise I won't go easy on ya next time!\" The bandit swiveled around, turning over to the market stall and browsing their items as if nothing had happened... Even as the market owner started sweating bullets from how quick the known thief could set anything beyond the counter in a blaze." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She huffed a bit at the quick end to the fight as it felt just so.. Boring. She was curious to see who would've won as her eyes stared from the darkened alleyway only to be disappointed yet again. Though, to be fair it seemed like a lot of people wanted this festival to go right and were paranoid of anything going awry. Makes sense that they'd shut down any fights immediately, but she still couldn't help but wish for something more eventful to happen or else her time standing here would've been wasted when she could've just gone back to the hotel she was currently staying at. She glanced over to have her eyes follow where Kuouo went, and then back at Rita." }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "Sorry about that sir, the guy tried to rob us and thing's got hostile pretty quickly, thankfully no one got hurt and nothing else bad happened, sadly for me I ruined my favorite trenchcoat, again." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"Well that was surely something\" Athena said as she pulls out her notebook" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"I'm sorry for this action of hostility during this event, but max is correct. The goat man did try stealing from us and it escalated out of control\" While turning towards Rita he adds \"You're a good fighter too, stood your ground just as good as any soldier I had the honor of fighting with\" Reminding him of the bravery the soldiers showed in the trenches and offering her a cigarette from his pack" }, { "author": "Matteo, \"la Porta-Lancea\"", "message": "His brow furrowed. Neither the words that seeked to stoke a sense of common purpose and familiarity from Rita, nor Max's apology, seemed to push him once bit. Yet, as the bandit started to slink away...\n\n```\n\"Hold fast.\"\n\"I have not pardoned you for brandishing a weapon in a crowd,\" he said, shooting a sharp glance at Kuouo. \"Or 𝘺𝘰𝘶,\" his gaze drifted toward Max, and his arm extended without looking toward Athena and William.\n\nNow the tone of his voice was much sharper, a slight growl in his voice as he spoke.\n\n\"This is a festival to celebrate the mercy of peace given to mankind during an age of calamity. And yet...!\" \n\"...Here you stand at one another's throats. As a servant of the most high God, entrusted to the protection of these people, I will now see you removed from the premises—\"\n```\n\nHis words were filled with a blind zeal only seen in the religious-type that he evidently identified with. Yes, things were becoming clear, from his magic prowess to his unusual strength to his even more unusual garb and mannerisms: he seemed a member of the Vicariate, A man identified with the Church of Santa Croce. And evidently, by his stature and prowess with magic, he certainly would be placed amidst the higher rankings of the servants of the Church: such a man was now ordering the removal of Everyone Involved in the incident, until his subsequent interruption—" }, { "author": "Akuko", "message": "```\n\"Let it go, my friend. Like you have said, this is a celebration. It would not hurt you at all to rein it in a little, yes?\"```\n\n...Emerged a shorter figure, with intricate, puffy locks of white hair, deep, black glasses, a short, compact, yet commanding presence, and a lit pipe gripped between her index and thumb. Her voice carried a sense of sophistication and a simultaneous, strange sense of nonchalance, her eyes squinted behind her opaque glasses.\n\n```\n\"Drama is the spice that gives life to an event like this. And it is not like this festival being an icon of peace means it is supposed to be peaceful itself,\" she grinned. \"I would have let them scuffle some,\" the woman took a drag of her pipe, its pale smoke evaporating swiftly as she gave it a long puff. \"It makes good kindling for the flame waiting to be lit.\"\n\"The later festivities are sure to be more interesting if its conflicts are more... Personal, yes?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Matteo, \"la Porta-Lancea\"", "message": "```\n\"You don't know of the matters you speak of. This wasn't just some... 'scuffle', as you say. This was an armed conflict, with intent to kill. In the broad light of the streets — before the people, no less. On my name as Matteo, a holy servant of the 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦, I firmly request you cease your obstruction of order, rescin—\"\n```\nHis arm swung to his side as he made a bold declaration, immediately dismissing her statement. Yet as swiftly as he was to interrupt, so was she." }, { "author": "Akuko", "message": "```\n\"Spare me the sermon, boy. I have had quite enough of those for today,\" She took another drag of the pipe. \"You have done your part; now, I am doing mine. Let it go.\"```" }, { "author": "Matteo, \"la Porta-Lancea\"", "message": "```\n\"And who are 𝘺𝘰𝘶, that I should accede to?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Akuko", "message": "```\n\"Ah, I began to worry that you were not going to ask...\"```\n\nThe woman's smile grew as she lowered the pipe, tucking her hand into a pocket of her overcoat. Matteo briefly raised his arm, anticipating that she might pull a weapon, yet she did nothing of the like — rather, she withdrew what appeared to be a business-card, char-black in color, upon which the inscription of a pearly-white rune was inscribed, and no more. There was no text, and merely the rune... Or so it seemed. With a spark of magic flashing at her fingertips, the rune resonated, depicting several emblems projected onto the very air itself: the official seal of the P.R.P's Inner Council, the insignia of the O.S.A's upper management, and a brief statement of official recognition by the local law-enforcement of Sanctum Mesa as an independent operating authority, several signed statements from Terra Sancta's upper leadership...\n\n```\n\"An official on very official business, one could say.\"\n\"But I would guess you need a more plain answer. I am a member of the management of the O.S.A. Sobriquet: White September.\"```\n\nThe whole nine Miles. She was a big-shot, all right — maybe even the Biggest In this entire crowd. Unlike Lueur, she wasn't just a representative of a higher authority over the festival — she herself Was The authority, and a well-connected one, at that." }, { "author": "Matteo, \"la Porta-Lancea\"", "message": "```\n\"That's...!\"\n```\n\n...He hesitated, his brow furrowing further. Frustration seethed beneath the surface of his skin as he steeled his resolve...\n\n```\n\"But your position of authority is no means to just—!... Or, well...\"\n\"Whoever you may be, that doesn't mean you can excuse violence in this crowd. Regardless of... Regardless! I can't just let this pass by unaddressed. What if they—\"\n```" }, { "author": "Alessandra", "message": "*\"Matteo!\"\nEmerging from amidst the ever-growing crowd that was now onlooking the spectacle, a figure cried out.\n\"God bless your soul. You always seem to draw the short straw, Matteo.\"\n\"Let it go.* Questa non è una battaglia che puoi vincere.\"\n\"Dobbiamo prepararci per l'arrivo del Vicario, ricordi? We should move on, Matteo.\" \n\nThrowing her arm forcefully around the man's neck, she led him out from amidst the crowd, disappearing back into the Festival..." }, { "author": "Akuko", "message": "```\n\"Full of courage. He does not bow down for a one, no?\"\n\"Shame that he is already a member of the 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢.\"\n\"A true shame.\"```\n\nPocketing the business-card, she took a drag of her pipe.\n\n```\n\"In any case, you lot are the first ones to try anything interesting.\" The woman now directly addressed the group that Matteo hoped to throw out, her exact disposition toward them concealed by her distant aura and the concealment of her dark glasses. \"As much as I softened the words used to describe your little... Scuffle, yes — it's still a matter that needs tending to.\"\n\n\"Let's start with your names...\"\n\"And that goes for you too!\" —she hollered, pointing toward Kuouo, who had taken the liberty of leaving early.\n\n```" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"The names William, I reckon you want the full name so it's William Rojas.\" Pointing towards Athena and max saying \"These two are my comrades mainly the witch lady\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"Heya, Im Athena Ayaakiko\"" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She continued to watch the group from her alleyway, eyebrows briefly raised at the interruptions both that man and that woman exchanged as despite both their high authority they seemed to butt heads a bit. One obviously was recognizable as someone affiliated with O.S.A. Which was something to pique her interest, yet not enough to draw her out from the dark cover that the buildings gave." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "\"....With intent to kill?\"\n\nIt doesn't matter who it is, she's not going to stand for people dictating her personal intentions for her.\n\n\n\"I had no intention of killing this man, I simply wished to arrest him, mildly hurt him at Worst. I was forced into a fight in which I did not want to participate because he attacked first-I was acting in self-defense. Moreover, I had no intention of dragging on the fight and was about to cease when you had arrived. You make such bold claims, yet you do not bother to ask about prior context-\" \n\nAs an expert in law, she's pretty skilled in argumentation-sort of has to be with her job. She was about to go on more, but stopped when she saw the other woman drag him away from the crowd, just sighing, figuring there's no point.\n\nThat's when she turned to the white-haired woman.\n\n\"...Regardless, I am Rita Kanisuka. Hello.\"" }, { "author": "Max Bracken", "message": "Being startled by the two he tried to look for a shadow he could side step to and just run off like he usually does when faced with this situation but seeing no close exits he just turns to look Akuko incredibly nervous. \"My name is Max Bracken, and I'm sorry for all the violence I caused.\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo tensed up his shoulders, his ear twitching at the scolding voice directed towards him. He furled his paws tightly in an attempt to try and ignore him as best as possible yet... The man's bark was increasingly piercing the bandit's ears. Growling, then sharply inhaling, Kuouo 180'd from the market stall about to raise even more hell. Causing such trouble was just in the goat boy's nature after all. \n\n```\n\"You liste-\"\n```\n\nA stout woman had suddenly materialized from the crowd of onlookers, stepping into the idle ring and having a word with the impromptu referee hailing from the church a town over. Kuouo shut his mouth for once and took a step back, seeing as the elegant woman was arguing in their defense — Not just any woman, however, but apparently someone with soft words and a big stick. The bandit didn't pay attention to the local politics of Terra Sancta but he was informed enough that whatever she does carries big weight. At least, enough to get that meddling priest out of his fur. Nevertheless, the least he could do is give the lady his name for bailing him out. Who knows what would've happened if the Actual Authorities were alarmed.\n\n```\n\"Yeah, yeah,\" Kuouo paced over to the small woman, slipping his paws into his pocket. \"Ya don't gotta shout, I can hear ya from all the way over there ya know.\" He pulled his left paw out and tugged on his floppy ears. \"But the name's Kuouo Aiche Dee, make sure ya don't forget it.\" He chuckled lowly, managing to contain his rage towards the swordswoman who dared to put him in cuffs under a cool facade as possible opportunity presented itself. \n```" } ]	55	13,579
203.571429	2023-12-19	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Starbi", "message": "From the sea of people within the Sanctum Mesa, the sounds of cheer and positivity called out, emerging Starbi! A bright bundle of pure joy, exploring this new area, walking cheerfully, humming to himself with his eyes closed as he brought cheer and joy to those around him, literally sending positive vibes to everyone around him, not like most people needed it, but hey, maybe someone needed it! It hasn't been a bit since he made it to this new world, maybe a day or two! But so far, he seems to be taking things well! And it seems he accidentally made it at the perfect time, a festival, full of everything to games, food, people talking about whatever, perfect for somebody like him! He might as well make himself at home at this point! Things were going smoothly, he was walking about, he hadn't been there long, at least 15 minutes or so, he was just walking, minding his own business, waiting for whatever to happen to swoop in and drag him along, not that he wouldn't mind, something like that is exciting for Starbi, it's something that fascinates him, the truly smallest coincidences changing fate, how surprising yet wonderful to someone like him!\n\n\"Hmm hmm.. An enchanting happy ending..\" The traveler mumbled to himself, a song that's been stuck in his head for a while.\n\"It's goodbye to me..\" He mumbled, cheerfully spinning while speaking, some folks had some eyes on him, but Starbi didn't mind! In seconds, everyone paid no mind and got back to their own business, a bit happier than before!\nIt wasn't before that Starbi opened his eyes, as his expression of glee turned to naïve curiosity, as he tilted his head to see a group of people in the distance, a banana sundae-looking goat, a 20s-looking guy with a hat, some other folks but Starbi didn't pay much to the rest of the details, those were the first things that caught his eye, it seemed that the folks there were in some sort of scruff, yikes! But hm.. Maybe Starbi could help, with a little bit of extra focus, he sensed a lack of happiness from the group in contrast with the rest of the festival, and he deduced that it wasn't something good. Maybe he should wait until he should-\n\"Hey hey!\" Starbi yelled out at a distance, waving with cheer from afar, as he approached the group gleefully without a second thought before he stopped and was a small few feet away from the entire group.\n\"What's going on over here? Seems like you guys aren't doing so good, thought I'd just make my way here and do something!\"\nStarbi spoke with glee, beaming with a happy smile, the atmosphere shifting from something tense to something suddenly cheerful and even relaxing." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She snapped her head up at the man yelling over to the group, younger than her based off look which confused her as to why the hell he would want to get involved before she rolled her eyes at his overly positive demeanor. She wasn't a fan of people like that in the slightest as they just seemed so goddamn annoying being happy for nothing.. Then again, she was always just sour given how her life went, though she took notice of the keen detail of how his presence affected the people around him even slightly, they seemed to smile a lot more than they had before.. Maybe that was coincidence though." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Turning his head away from the group to look at the new arrival he felt his body ease up and his stance become more relaxed, confused on why this was happening he gave a small wave and said \"Hello there, who are you?\" While hiding his pistol under his coat to prevent himself from scaring the new comer" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Wahaha! Hi hi!!!! I'm Starbi!\" Starbi introduced with pure joy in his tone with a friendly wave.\n\"I'm just a guy who got snatched from home and sent here! I seem to be lucky! I made it here not so long ago, and I get to be in this cool-looking festival, it's awesome here!!!\" Starbi exclaimed with joy.\n\"Everyone seems to be having fun, having a blast, talking with each other, seems like my kind of place to relax in, y'know! I was just minding my business, then saw you guys! And I said to myself.. \"Hey, why don't I see what's going on?\", and here I am introducing myself to you guys, it's nice to meet you all!!\" Starbi explained with a gleeful smile painted on his face." }, { "author": "Rita Kanisuka", "message": "She turned around to face the newcomer, speaking with her usual monotonous stoic tone.\n\n\"It is something extremely trivial that warrants no further discussion.\"\n\nHer bangs flew back for a moment, which would once again reveal her heterochromatic eyes-before it was covered again. In fact, it seemed she made it a point herself to cover those eyes quickly.\n\n\"Now then, it seems we are doing introductions, and I shall follow. I am Rita Kanisuka.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "After hearing the gleeful newcomer's Introduction Athena turns her head towards them putting her journal away and starts waving excitedly saying in a louder tone then usual \"Hey, Im Athena. Nice to meet you\" Sitting on the ground in a crisscross apple sauce position right after." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Seeing the actions of the witch lady he's gotten to call a friend he found it funny and entertaining to see the childlike behavior of the newcomer and his friend, looking at the newcomer he says \"Names William Rojas\" Offering the newcomer a cigarette" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi turned his head the the purple-haired lady introducing herself.\n\"Ri... Ta, Ri-ta! Cool name, Rita. I like it!\" Starbi complimented in a friendly tone, turning his head to the white-haired girl.\n\"Huh, Athena. Nice to meet you too!\" Starbi commented, turning his head to the 20s-looking guy he saw earlier.\n\"Ooo, William, got i... It.\" Starbi spoke, then looked at the offered cigarette.\n\"Oh, I don't smoke! You can keep it!\" Starbi declined politely.\n\"Hope you enjoy it though!\" Starbi added calmly, things seemed to be going decent! Nobody is being mean or anything, just some folks who are here for some fun, what harm does that cause?" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He stared at the strange man Infront of him, he showed confusion in the fact that he just stared at him, didn't say a word or tell him his name, he then started to side step away while nobody was looking at him, mainly to get away from Akuko." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Noticing Max side stepping away Athena remembered that they were being questioned by a member of the O.S.A and jumps up from sitting and starts booking it as fast as she can away from Akuko yelling \"SCATTER!\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Seeing his friend now running while yelling scatter he decides to run with her while saying thanks to starbi for the help and see you again soon" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Surprised by Athena's sudden yell, he immediately step into a shadow and covered his eyes with his hat." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She raised an eyebrow at the group from her alleyway, exhaling smoke from her cigarette in thought. Why the hell did they just now decide to book it like hell, what, scared of the little kid or something? Probably not, but she couldn't identify any current threats." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "While running away with Athena he sees the smoke from the alleyway noticing Emily and gives a slight wave while still running" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She just stared at him go by like a statue, not bothering to return the polite wave he hurriedly gave her. She didn't even seem to like the fact he acknowledged her either judging by her unimpressed facial expression." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "All Kuouo could do was raise an eyebrow. Certainly, they knew that this person had an immense amount of credibility regarding the O.S.A. — Certainly more than the orange-garbed referee from earlier. Just the simple fact that he had the ability to ban any one of them off the premises and She Had authority over him was enough for the bandit to keep himself in check... For now at least. Once he gets his grubby little paws on one of those freshly stacked double-decker sandwiches it's over with. \n```\n\"Ain'tcha just a jar o' joy?\" Kuouo snickered, acknowledging Starbi's bubbly attitude as he crossed his arms and leaned up against a lamppost to attend to whatever the stout lady had in mind. \"Y'should prolly go chase after 'em,\" The bandit suggested, taking Infernium out and picking at his fangs with the dagger. \"I'm jus' here to hear whatever this lady has t' say for startin' a street fight anyhow.\" \n```" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's head turned to the banana-colored goat leaning on a lamp post that was advising him to go follow after some of the people.\n\"Hmm... Well, seeing as I got.. Pretty much got nothing better to do, might as well go following them! Thanks for the advice goat guy, I'll see you guys around, a new branch of choices awaits! Here I go!\" Starbi exclaimed with a smile that followed along with a friendly wave goodbye! As he then began running to chase after Williams, Athena, and.. Was there someone else? Starbi couldn't remember. As he was running, he slowed down to stop, he felt something.. Off, he felt as if the atmosphere had a sudden part of it.. Missing, but Starbi shook his head, he could focus on that later, he has some new friends to catch up to!" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She seemed to be at least a little relieved at Starbi leaving with how loud he was, muttering to herself before her cigarette finally died out, flicking it onto the ground and stomping on it with a sigh. She would need to get more soon, she was running low and she absolutely despised being out of them, but such things would be better left to after this festival crap." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "While running through the crowds of people following Athena, he notices that they're bring followed by the newcomer, starbi I think they said their name was, he did like the person and the joyful nature of them so he would hate to have to kill them, branching away from Athena he runs into the nearest alleyway to get starbi to follow him\n\nHe hides in the dark areas with his pistol trained on the area he came in from" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "While running through the crowds of people Athena not noticing William following her and splitting off in the panic, runs past a fountain and into a nearby Library, taking a seat in a little nook in the back. She takes her Beret off and stuffs it into a inner pocket of her Trenchcoat, then proceeds to tie her hair into a Ponytail before taking a random book off a nearby shelf pretending to read." }, { "author": "Akuko", "message": "The light of embers seethe within the bowl of her pipe, their red heat weakly flaring beyond the opaque cloud of smoke lingering in a shroud. Its fumes flow in silver streams from the shapely painted lips of the one White September; Her expression, still distant and neutral as it ever was, did not change, even with all the boldness and disrespect of the several suspects running away from her. Yes—running from Her, Of all people...\n\n```\n\"Hmm...\"```\n\nShe took another drag of the pipe. Kuouo's suggestion to chase after them did not seem to move her, either; yet her lack of a response, itself, seemed to suggest that she had already given the idea serious thought.\n\n```\n\"So it is...\"\n\"Rojas, Ayaakiko, Max...\"\n\"It does show character,\" She acknowledged, leaning her head back and tapping her pipe, \"Giving me their names.\"\n```\n\nAkuko's cold front finally broke, as she gave a light shrug. Her right hand, and the pipe within it held, lowered to hang at her left hip; a forwards tilt of her head intentfully revealed the subtle glow of her light, silver, and almost radiant irises, previously concealed behind her opaque, smoky glasses.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Kuouo Aiche Dee. A considerable share of my responsibilities merely regard the remembering of names,\" She motioned. \"That is true also for you, Rita Kanisuka.\"\n\n\"Whether it is because you have a better head on your shoulders, or merely because you understand who it is I am more clearly, you lot have made this matter a grain less... Thorny, for me.\"\n\"It does show character, yes. In spite of being the ones behind this whole scuffle,\" She tapped her pipe again, its herbal blend now wholly extinguished.\n\"Ah, and speaking of your scuffle — why not settle it through a more... Permissible medium?\"```\n\nAkuko now grinned wholly, her teeth shown in a smile as she took quick strides toward the center of the crowd that had formed for the very conflict the group had started — and she had subsequently resolved. At the heart of the crowd, in a hollow amidst a large gathering of onlookers, there the woman of the sobriquet White September Looked the most fitting — she was, with ease, able to garner their attention merely by standing in their midst. From the silvery hue of her eyes to the dark, gothic attire she donned, all the aspects of her character gathered in a sumtotal of an appearance that was, alone, enough to command authority from those who beheld her. And indeed, she herself looked familiar with the setting, as she outstretched both arms to her sides — her pipe seemingly having disappeared without a trace — fluently rousing the spirits of the crowd:\n\n ```\n\"𝑬𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆!!\"```\n\n_ _\nThe pale-blue aspect of her mana manifested in ethereal streams of energy that flowed like visible currents of wind, trailing from her fingertips to her feet, coalescing in the form of a small, elevated platform, whereupon she climbed with a single step. Then another, which allowed her to rise a step further, the former evaporating into naught but air, then another, and another, this process repeating until she stood a meter over the heads of the crowd.\n\n\n```\n\"Good evening. I hope you have all found the accomodations so far acceptable!\" \n\"Yet the night is still young — the Festival has yet to fully flourish.\"\n\"So allow me to invite you all to the first event of the night. A simple, but challenging game: one which any one of you has a chance to contend in!\"``` \n\nBringing her left hand close to her chest to form a symbol and extending her right hand stretched to her side, she spoke an incantation:\n\n```\n\"𝙾𝙿𝙴𝙽 𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙶𝚄𝙴: 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲.\"\n\"𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍.\"\n```\n\nIt appeared first as an opaque, crystalline cube — roughly 1 meter on each side — before its form began to fade away, shattering and fading into nothingness as though the whole thing were conjured of magic, and thusly revealing its contents: A... Fish? Yes, a fish, but something much more than simply a fish: its form glistened, shimmering like gemstones in the darkness of the night, and its essence ethereal; faded; as though it were part-spirit and part-flesh. Furthermore, it swam through air as though it were submerged entirely in water, carried on little more than a current of mana that it had generated independent of Akuko entirely.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Anyone may participate in the game, and its objective is simple...\"\n\"Following after the spirit of the O.S.A, one of this festival's many benefactors, the goal of the game is to 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡.\"\n\n\"Soon after this announcement ends, this Spirit-Koi will be whisked away to a location undisclosed. You will have to seek it out and capture it...\"\n\"...And vie to maintain 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 over it until the end of the Festival, as other contestant may make attempts to steal it away!\"\n\n\"Once you have captured the fish, it will bond to you, and you will 𝘰𝘸𝘯 it, unless and until another contestant manages to steal 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 from you.\"\n\"Ownership will be transferred to another participant if they maintain physical contact for more than five seconds with the Koi's current owner.\"\n\"There are only three rules...\"\n\n\"One! You may only fight with participants who have opted to join the Hunt.\"\n\"Two! You may not grievously injure or attempt to kill other participants. On-site staff will see to the tending of lesser injuries.\"\n\"Three! You are immediately disqualified if you leave the festival grounds.\"\n\n\"Everything else is permitted in the Hunt. You may team up, shift ownership of the Koi willingly, or hide once you have attained 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.\"\n\"If you successfully hold the Spirit-Koi until the end of the festival, you will be given ownership of it permanently — as well as your choice between two exotic rewards, per one of this event's sponsors: the 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘮.\"```\n\n_ _\nAkuko snapped her fingers, as the Koi spontaneously disappeared — a shimmering trail of energy left in its wake, a forked trail of residual mana splitting in three different directions: North, south, and east.\n\n__```\n\"The Hunt begins... Now!\"```__" } ]	81	4,275
79.462963	2023-12-20	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Starbi", "message": "While running through the crowds of people following Athena, he notices that they're bring followed by the newcomer, starbi I t...\n\nStarbi was running after the two that were William and Athena, his eyes trained on them, before seeing that William went to another direction from Athena, why did he do that exactly? Starbi wasn't sure, he had the choice to follow William or Athena, but he noticed that Athena already disappeared, he then decided to follow after William as he slowed down to make a turn to stop himself it in a dark alleyway, not being able to find William, looking around as he paced around the alleyway for a bit.\n\"William!!! Where'd you go?\" He called out." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Watching starbi enter the alleyway he kept his gun trained on him, aiming center mass like he was trained he cock the hammer to his revolver ready to fire when he heard the announcement of a fish thing being a prize to a quest. The hell is that? Need to find out later first thing is having to get rid of this problem* Raising his voice still concealed in the darkness, he said \"Walk away, I don't wish to hurt you but I will if you continue to follow me and Athena\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi looked to see William have a gun trained at him at point blank range, Starbi's expression was that of a confused one, why was William so cautious? Its not like he was hostile or anything.\n\"Hey hey hey, what's the big idea?\" Starbi asked in a calm tone.\n\"What's with the gun? Is this about the cigarette thing?\" Starbi added as he looked at William, raising his hands a bit in mid air as a gesture of good faith.\n\"No need to get our weapons out, we can just keep things nice and calm!\" Starbi added.\n\"That goat guy just told me that I should follow you guys, I'm just here for a fun adventure and stuff, this happened so sudden, I couldn't just not follow you guys to see what happens! I'm just that kind of guy, you know?\"\nStarbi explained with a steady smile." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at the joyful person in front of him he was confused Why would I shoot him over not taking the cigarette I offered him? Feeling the calming aura that he felt earlier when this newcomer arrived he decided to lower his pistol just slightly so if starbi tried to attack he could still pull up and fire a fast shot. \"So you decided to follow us because the goat man told you to? And no it's not about the cigarette\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Well..\" Starbi spoke.\n\"He just told me that I should follow you guys! I just thought why not? I really had nothing better to and stuff, so I just did what he told me and stuff, no harm done, right?\"\nStarbi answered politely, raising down his hands a little, the cheerful atmosphere was present but weaker than before given the situation." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"How old are you? You seem a little young and naive to be my age\" While lowering his pistol more giving this newcomer a bigger sense of ease while looking around the alleyway to see if he could find a fire escape to climb to aid in his search for Athena again" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Oh, well uh- you could say I'm 16. But it's a lot more complicated than that.\" Starbi responded.\n\"Let's just say.. I'm a little older than you and your friend's ages combined!\"\nStarbi responded with a friendly wink.\n\"That is.. Well, if I'm right about you guys.\" Starbi commented.\n\"Nothing wrong with being a little more free-spirited, I just like having fun!\" Starbi added with a smile." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"Uh-huh, well I don't want to shoot you so what you say we team up for a bit? Help me find my friend and I'll be a new friend for you, how that sound?\" Giving a softer tone and putting his pistol back into his holster uncocking the hammer, putting his coat back over the holster to show no threat" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He stepped out of the shadow he was in before looking around and going to search for William and Athena as he wanted to team up with them, but there was one problem, he lost them the second they ran so he was basically just wandering around trying to find them." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "After hearing a voice mention something about a Fish Hunt, Athena wanting to participate thinking \"This could be fun\" Deciding to leave the library she was hiding in to look for her friends \"Besides the more eyes looking the easier it is to win right?\" She thought to herself. She Determined that Max would be the easiest to find, so she started her journey towards where she last saw him, Keeping an eye out for him, William or a Spirit Koi along the way." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She listened quietly to the annoucement. Essentially the prize sounded like a pet fish made out of magic and two other rewards that could be picked. Didn't seem too bad to her, she could use a companion even if it was just a fish. After all, it was quite pretty as she stared up to watch it briefly float around and swim in the air. Though, looking back at the others attending, it seemed she would have competition. Grouping up would be useful, but at the same time she couldn't do that if she had no one she could trust with that task. So, doing it solo it seemed, she decided mentally she would participate." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Team up? Hm.. Well, of course! I don't see why not.\" Starbi responded quickly, the atmosphere bringing back its cheerful effect as Starbi smiled.\n\"I don't mind tagging along, that's what I wanted to do in the first place, sure having fun by yourself is okay, but with others can be even better! I'm all for it!\" Starbi added with a confident nod.\n\"Let's go find your friend, she's gotta be here somewhere.\" Starbi commented." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Nodding his head to starbi comment, he reaches into his satchel and offers a hardtack biscuit to starbi due to the earlier presenting of his revolver, he says \"I saw a fire service on the wall of that building over there so we can climb up that to get a better look of the surrounding area.\" While walking towards the ladder to start climbing\n\nMotioning his hand towards starbi to follow him, he begins to climb and making his way to roof top he proceeds to look over the side of the roof down towards the streets to try and spot Athena and Max, while telling himself Main goal find them first secondary find this fish thing While asking if starbi wants another biscuit" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi stared at the biscuit in his hand that was given by William as William walked off. Starbi seemed to be in thought about something.. That lingering lack of joy, it seemed too.. Sharp, sure not everyone is going to be completely happy but..\n\"..Oh, uh, coming! Just me in thought!\" Starbi spoke with a small laugh as he followed William up the ladder to make it to the rooftop of a small building." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He stopped walking and just stood under a street lamp while scratching his head and looking around. \"This is harder than I thought than again I never really tried to find anyone before.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Seeing Max in the distance, Athena walks up to him saying \"Heya Max, you participating in the fish hunt?\"" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He turned to look at Athena and nodded. \"Sure am, I was just trying to find you and William. Speaking of which where is he?\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Noticing the change of demeanor of starbi, he looks away from the city streets below and looks towards starbi, \"What's wrong starry? Can I call you that?\" While sitting down next to the edge to patting the space next to him for him to sit and be comfortable" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena looking at Max with her head tilted to the side a bit said \"I Thought he was with you\" As she started looking around to see if she can spot William from where she is" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "\"Nah, when I hid and you just straight up yelled scatter, I lost the both of you so I have no idea where he actually is right now.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"Well we should go look for him, and once we do then we can look for that fish.\" Then she looks at max and says \"Speaking of which, do you know what this fish we are looking for looks like?\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Noticing the change of demeanor of starbi, he looks away from the city streets below and looks towards starbi, \"What's wrong sta...\n\n\"Ah, uh- nothing. Just noticed something is all, nothing to worry about really! Thanks for asking.\" Starbi responded.\n\"And sure, why not, call me whatever you like!\" Starbi responded as he looked over to William sitting at the edge, gesturing him to sit next to him, Starbi accepted the kind gesture and then set down next to him, looking over the area.\n\"It sure is nice here though, isn't it?\" Starbi asked." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"Yeah it is nice up here but what's wrong? When you first showed up you only brought good vibes but now you're more sorrowful, still joyful but more meh\" While looking at starbi, and wondering if it was because he drew his pistol earlier, he looked up at the stars and wondered if this what life had planned for him, sitting up on the roof with a star guy next to me asking if he's okay" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "\"Well I did see it from where I was, it was a glowing Koi, it was very cool looking to say the least and it shouldn't be to hard to spot either.\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Yeah it is nice up here but what's wrong? When you first showed up you only brought good vibes but now you're more sorrowful, s...\n\n\"Ah, well, like I said. Just noticed something, everything here feels so bustling and joyful, I just noticed that something felt off about it, nothing from me, honest. Just something else I felt, It's kind of a thing I tend to notice, heh.\"\nStarbi responded.\n\"Thanks for worrying though, I'm fine.\" Starbi responded calmly, he did appreciate William worrying." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking back at starbi and listening to his response he responded with \"Look, I'm sorry about me pointing my gun at you and I want you to know it's nothing personal, but you can talk to me about it if you want.\" While offering a small smile \"My mom would've liked you, but hey you're alright in my book.\" While standing up and offering his hand to starbi to help him up and continue their search for Athena and Max" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"So uh, Where should we look first?\" Athena asked while looking around some more" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Looking back at starbi and listening to his response he responded with \"Look, I'm sorry about me pointing my gun at you and I wa...\n\n\"Honestly, I'm okay, thanks, it's nothing personal!\" Starbi assured.\n\"I appreciate that, I would've loved to meet your mom!\" Starbi then saw William get up, and then offer his hand to him, he then accepted, bringing himself up.\n\"If you seem okay, then I'm sure she wasn't bad herself,\" Starbi commented with a smile." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "\"No idea, I guess when we find William we could split up for a second and cover more ground or whatever you wanna do honestly.\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"Splitting up when we find william would be good, we should first decide where to meet back up once we find it or finish looking in a certain area though before we do split up so we dont get lost again having to find eachother\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at starbi he says \"Yeah she was one of the best\" Looking back at the streets looking for a a hint of Max and Athena, spotting a shadowy figure under a streetlamp a street down, he looks at starbi, \"Let's go, I think I see Max.\" He takes a running jump to the other rooftop until he reaches the roof over the pair of Max and Athena, making sure Starbi was with him\n\nHe looks down at the two, and decides to yell down at them saying \"Hey witch lady and shadow man, up here the hell you two doing down there?!\" While having a soft smile on his face" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi then watched as William ran and jumped to the other rooftop with ease, huh, fascinating! Starbi wanted to follow along too, he moved a few feet back to prepare himself, as he then ran, leaping off of the edge of the rooftop as he was in mid-air, seemingly floating as he made it to the other rooftop with ease, walking up to William to look over, seeing Athena and somebody new!\n\"Hey guys! How's the weather down there?\" Starbi joked, waving from above." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Looking up towards the screaming, Athena sees William standing on the roof above them and decides to yell back \"Whats up Willy Wonka!\" Sticking Out her Tongue at him Afterwards" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He looks up and just stares at William. \"We're about to go looking for the spirit Koi, we were just trying to find you first before we actually went looking for it.\" He then looked in confusion at Starbi before thinking of how increasingly weird this place was getting." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "In response to Starbi's Jokingling question Athena responded with \"Its quite nice, How the weather up there in the clouds?\" While she waved back" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Ah, well- when you've traveled across space for a while clouds don't become much of a problem, we seem to be doing fine up here,\" Starbi joked. \"There's a ladder like- right around the building and you can jump across the rooftop if you can! Or we can get our way down to you and your tall friend.\"\nStarbi explained." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He looked at Starbi and then at Athena before looking back at the building and just thinking for a quick second, he then grabbed Athena, jumped high into the air, amd landed on the buildings roof before putting Athena down, he then spoke with a deep voice. \"I think that was much easier honestly, name's Max by the way nice to meet you dude.\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi then watched in surprise to see the shadowy figure grab Athena with ease and jump all the way up here.\n\"Woah..\" Starbi commented.\n\"That was cool! Hi hi!! My name's Starbi, that's ess to the aye to the are to the bee, and what do you get? You get Starbi! Nice to meet you Max!\"\nStarbi responded in his usual chipper tone, the atmosphere keeping its cheerful breeze of joy." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She listened to nearby conversations from her little alleyway for a while longer before deciding to get going. It was no use to stand around doing fuck all if she had to find that fish. She started heading off in one of the three disclosed directions, keeping her head down as she squeezed through the bustling crowd. She likely got shoved past a good few times, but clearly, she was used to it." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Now on the Building, Athena sat down and said \"That was fun, anyways We are looking for a Glowing Koi Fish. We should split up into groups of 1-2 and meet back up here.\" Then proceeded to pull out her journal with a look of concentration on her face thinking to herself \"If i was a Glowing Koi Fish, Where Would I Be?\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "William looks at his witch lady friend, and asks \"The hell is a koi? And what is a willy wonka?\" And looks back to max and says \"You hop good\" While also smiling due to starbi having their bright demeanor back" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi looked down from the rooftop, as he then noticed someone walking through the bustling groups of people, that strange feeling from before returning, before turning back to the group.\n\"Hm.. Well, maybe we'll find it after we have this some sort of clue, it can't just be out in the open, maybe we could go talk to the person who announced the existence of the koi fish for a hint!\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Looking away from her book and towards William, Athena says \"A Koi is a type of Japanese Fish looks like a carp and is commonly orange and white, The one we are looking for in specific is glowing according to information Max kindly provided. And don't worry about what a Willy Wonka is for now, ill tell you later\" Then she proceeds to look through her journal thinking about where a Glowing Koi Fish would be" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Turning towards max he asks \"Well what do you think we should do? Athena is thinking about areas and starbi wants to ask the lady who announced it, but are we still gonna get arrested?\" While scratching his head and putting his hand into his pocket to grab a cigarette" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "\"I might go alone for a bit and try to find it on my own, not like anyone would go for the tall horrifying shadowy monster, so it's not like I'd have many problems dealing with people.\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Hmm...\" Starbi hummed to himself.\n\"Why don't I go talk to her myself while we all dk ohr own thing?\" Starbi asked.\n\"I'll just say that I lost you guys and want the koi fish for myself! Its not like they know I'm with you guys yet, might be good to try.\" Starbi suggested.\n\"And what if Max and Athena stick together? Seems like a good idea to me!\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "In response to the suggestions Athena says \"Im fine with whatever is decided for a plan, either way it'll be fun\"" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He pulled his dark axe out of his hat and looked at them. \"In any case I'll just do my own thing, besides I'm sure y'all will probably find it first anyway, I'll just try to scare people out as I go, this axe will help with the scary look.\" He then jumped down and went to try and find the spirit Koi." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"Oop, okay then Max! Bye bye!!!\"\nStarbi walked over to the edge to wave at Max walking away.\n\"Be safe! We'll see you when we'll see you!\" Starbi spoke, turning his head back to the two.\n\"I guess I'll go ahead with my end of our plan, try to talk to that lady who announced the whole thing, see yoh guys in a bit!\"\nStarbi then turned his head back to the view of the area, then jumping off the roof, as he began floating in mid air, slowing descending to the pavement with ease, luckily nobody being under his shoes.\nIt was then he was offered two decisions;\nOne on his right, to go to the authority figure who announced the search for the koi fish.\nAnd two on his left, to go after the strange person he saw earlier.. To adhere to the plan or to go on a whim and branch fate, such is the question for someone like Starbi. Naturally, Starbi took the side on his left, to go follow after the mysterious person he saw earlier, it might even turn out well in the end, they say that you can kill two birds with one stone, let's see if that's the case here!" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She had decided to start her walk towards the southern part of the festival given that was one of the directions that the fish could've possibly gone through the tiny hint that the lady gave. Though.. She could likely sense she was being followed by someone, just having a keen eye and able to trust her gut well. She snapped her head back to glance around to see who the hell it was. If Starbi was good enough to move out of her line of sight then she would just scoff and keep walking. If he wasn't though, she would just narrow her eyes at him briefly and just walk faster. He was a kid after all - looked the part - so she didn't have reason to be suspicious that his intentions were malicious.. Though she had a feeling they'd be annoying regardless and she didn't want to deal with it." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at Athena he asks \"So muckraker, what do you have so far for ideas?\" While looking around the streets from above, and smoking his cigarette. He was still confused on what a willy wonka is" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "\"No ideas so far since i don't know much about this area but i have an idea, what if we split into random directions to the edge of the festival grounds and make our way back here\" Athena says putting her journal in a inner pocket of her coat" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking back at Athena he says \"Sounds good I suppose, don't get arrested and if any trouble goes down come back to this area.\" He says this while looking towards the next building to make his jump. He then proceeds to say \"See you soon\" While running and jumping off to the next rooftop towards the north barely making it and turning around giving a hand signal to show goodbye for now" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena Nods her head in response and says \"Good Luck, See ya Soon\" Then stands up and starts heading in the opposite direction taking a flight of stairs down" } ]	76.5	4,291
170.103448	2023-12-21	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Ha", "message": "Well, that certainly changes things. Before Ha could even begin her half-hearted, uninformed explanation to Daniel whilst trudging through a crowd, a series of tumultuous, confusing events took place— an evolved scuffle between obscure individuals, such as, as detailed by Salhaeja, a 'ruffian, yellow-furred Medei, prone to sizzling provocation'. Apparently, the described botched a robbery in broad daylight and a fight broke out, but it was interrupted by an trigger-happy executioner, of whom was Then Halted by a figure of incredible authority, according to the blade. This woman was O.S.A, a member of the Pacifica inner council, which she had no idea existed, but it sounded important. Sal also claimed that another estranged character showed up and disturbed the temporary peace, but Ha herself was now pervious to the rather glaring announcement made to the festival, pinning her sheathed blade in place as she turned her head to the direction of Akuko's booming voice. The woman initially stated the names of the offenders, not that they were all that interesting, though unique. Then, something about a. . . Fish? Finding a fish, like that one movie she saw the other day. Finding. . . Elmo? No, that wasn't it.\n\nA game? Surely, Salhaeja had more vital motives for dragging her here. She wasn't angry at this, albeit, as much as she failed to understand— why?Honestly, she wouldn't mind participating in this contest, even if she wasn't a big fan of fish, but this was oddly trivial in natur– and there she goes, Asking Questions again. The most draining of exercises was, and would always be self-ponderment. \n\nThat aside, she figured herself to be in a good position to find a partner, despite appearances tending to be poor advertisement on her behalf. Ha was much better suited as a combatant than a scavenger, granted, but perhaps an ally with actual flesh and blood would be of good service in this situation. Salhaeja would probably approve, anyhow. He had no reason not to." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\". . .SHE FOLLOWS THE GAME. THE GAME INTRIGUES ME.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "In light of changed circumstances, she shifted her focus to this supposed hunt as opposed to her previous intention in accordance with Salhaeja. She'd keep her heavy smile, but the dullness of her tone despite the oppertunity of something plausibly fun remained. Her facial expression also kept itself inanimate, excluding the faintest grin and concealed by her sunglasses. Assuming he said yes, she'd want to partner up for convenience, and the fact that he didn't seem overtly judgmental of her, not that the sort of thing mattered aside from practical application. She began to wonder, if not too excessively, whether Salhaeja even knew what he was doing here, or why. Of course, it didn't really matter. It was just weird to her, and uncharacteristic of someone she was forced to know rather well. Regardless, she'd do what he asked, because she has to, even if it turned out to be a waste. Otherwise, she wouldn't do anything at all.\n\n``\". . .Oh, well, that looks fun. Are you playing?\"``" }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "He looked up at the figure curiously, before turning back to Ha upon her questioning. \"It seems like fun. I'd be up for a challenge, even as odd as... The target is.\" He scrunched his brow, trying to think of a single reason why a fish would be the focal point of a massive hunt. Best not to think about it too much, there was a price on it, and he was interested nonetheless." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "While Starbi was passing through the sea of people to follow the lady, all he was thinking about was the sharp lack of positivity coming from her, he was curious to see if there was anything wrong, it's not like one to go out alone to a festival to originally bring cheer to others and remain unhappy, that's what Starbi thought, and he thought if he could figure out what was wrong, he's just that kind of person really, trying to make others smile.\nIt was then that the lady turned around, and that's when Starbi got to see her face, Starbi paused for a moment, staring at her. The lady could see him easily, it's not as if he wasn't blending in the crowd, someone like him is easy to see, not to mention the lingering atmosphere of cheer present, except faint now given the situation Starbi was in." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He was dragging his dark axe behind him, loud as it was no one would probably look at him, so he raised it up, slammed it down, and then let out a monstrous roar that could be heard all throughout the festival, even if this didn't scare anyone, a mouth a shining white teeth would be smiling at anyone who saw his face, he then kept moving as he only wanted to scare people not have to harm anyone." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Hearing the monstrous roar he was reminded of the roar of engines, tanks, planes flying by, the mud and blood and the horrific screams of terror and pain he heard all over the trenches. Can't think about that now, I need to keep moving. Find out what that was later but I can't get distracted now, While still running and jumping from rooftop to rooftop, looking for a glowing koi. He didn't know what that was and what it looked like but he'll find out and hopefully not get arrested" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Making her way through the crowds of people, Athena sees Starbi in the distance and decides to go see if they have had any luck finding the Koi Fish or the person who made the announcement while keeping an eye out for a Glowing Koi Fish.\nOnce she reaches him, she asks \"Heya Starbi, hows your plan going so far?\"" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "_ _\nTurning his attention, once again, back to the task at hand, Gold's palms alight with electricity as he gives himself a little slap on the face to refocus himself Again. Time to head North." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Jumping roof to roof stopping only to look around at his soundings to search for the glowing koi fish he wondered to himself I should get a gift for Max and Starry, Max destroyed his coat to help us with that goat guy and I held a gun on starbi, I like that guy he's pretty cool and I like his gloves, While standing on the roof top he notices someone going the same direction as him being on the same rooftops he was just on. Knowing that the rest of the group went their own ways and none followed him, he drew his revolver and called out to the man \"You there, state your name and business!\" While focusing on his sights to make sure he has a clear shot if needed" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Hearing the voice call out to him, Gold simply sighs before pointing the Palm Gun Back at William, turning to face him as he speaks in an intentionally inflammatory tone \"Ma' name ain't ya' business! Ma' business ain't ya' business eitha'! What's it t'ya?\"\n\n`Okay, so we're doing this.`" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking back at the man he responds \"What it is to me is that you just started going my direction, I don't know ya so be a scab and scram will ya? I ain't got time for this and I don't know ya.\" William aims his pistol center mass ready to fire, cocking his hammer on the stranger. Shit I don't have time for any of this, I need to keep moving and find that damn koi Thinking to himself" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"I ain't see ya' name on th' direction.\" Gold replies curtly, Palm Gun Beginning to spin up \"Why don' ya make like a tree an' get lost?\"\n\nSeeing the revolver hammer cock back, Gold simply shakes his head \"That ain't gonna work th' way ya' wan' it to.\"\n\nTckeeeeew\n\nA noise emits from the Palm Gun As the center glows a white-hot blue, Gold standing at the ready \"Look, either y' take the shot, or y' buzz of with th' rest o' ya' pals.\"\n\nGold suddenly looks a little closer at the gun, his bare right hand's pointer and middle fingers suddenly twitching.\n\nChk\n\nA tiny, almost unhearable sound emits from William's gun as Gold stares him down \"Take th' shot.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at the man, getting agitated William responds with \"I am too old for this, I have killed fair better man than you. You really want me to take the shot? Go first, let's make this as fair as it can be because I've always been fast enough.\" Reaching his left hand towards his back to unclip his bayonet ready to throw it towards the man I don't want to kill this man but if he makes me I will and I'll make my apologies to the witch lady" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"That ain't gonna work eitha'.\" Gold warns, \"Shoulda' at least tried t' take th' shot. Gone down with some honor in y' life. Some follow-through.\"\n\nPFFF \n\nThe Palm Gun Activates, Gold aiming directly for William's left thigh; the shot travelling at bullet speed. Seeing as they're within bayonet throwing distance, this would be an impossible-to-dodge timeframe, even with a sub-100ms response time like William's." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Seeing the blast of light William immediately dodged to his left, still getting hit in his left thigh, but he imbued his bayonet with fire magic and throwing it dead center towards his foe, firing 2 shots from his revolver at center mass" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Unfortunately, the revolver bullets never fire.\n\nThe click from earlier implied but one thing.\n\nGold turned the safety on.\n\nThe bayonet, now mid-arc, suddenly stops in thin air, a thin bolt of white-holden electricity suspending it in air, electricifying the Metal Blade of the weapon and assuring its safe descent into Gold's open left hand, quickly tossing it to his right and playing with the blade as if it were a fidget toy. Gold whistles \"Nice blade. Seen betta' though. Ya' an amateur at throwin' it.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Seeing his blade be caught so effortlessly he thought to himself Amateur at throwin' it? I was part of the damn AEF I have the training from damn martial art instructors and I fought in a damn war and he thinks I'm a damn amateur Coming back up he rapid fires his pistol while also imbueing his shots with fire magic to cause small smoke to attempt to get close for hand to hand" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "The first bullet to fire gets jammed just as it exits the muzzle, Gold holding his left hand up towards the gun, staring as the bullet simply sits there, colliding with the other few bullets and collapsing to the ground, a clear mental strain inflicted to do so, but a strain well-worth it.\n\nAs William approaches, Gold shoots 70 volts of electricity towards William's right leg to cause it to tense incredibly painfully, hopefully causing the assailant to drop to his knees or simple fall over from the sheer shock of it. Due to the shot from earlier, this would definitely make him much slower in his approach, allowing Gold a much more relaxed timeframe to do so, letting him attempt to alleviate the strain from catching the bullet just seconds prior." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Feeling the course of electricity course through his leg he grited his teeth saying to himself I survived the trenches of France, the Aisne offensive, second battle of the somme and Saint-Mihiel, I will not be put down by some scab Despite the immense pain and muscle contractions in his leg he tries landing a punch. Panting and out of breath he stands up taking a fighting stance and says \"Quite hiding behind your magic sissy and fight me like a proper soldier.\" While blood is still dripping out his leg" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Coming back a bit from the punch, Gold simply shrugs it off, replying with a low growl \"Like ya' one t' talk, ol' man.\"\n\nStepping back to allow some distance, Gold once again shoots electricity at the ground between the two of them, this time intending to simply make space between the two, disengaging with William's bayonet still in hand. \"Ya' attack Me Fa' walkin' th' same direction as ya'? Y' try an' shoot me, then call ya'self a 'proper soldier'?\"\n\n\"Y'aint got any Honor, s' stop wastin' ma' time. Let the younga' generation have all th' fun.\" A warning tone. Clearly a few Punches Here and there aren't enough to phase him." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at the man in front of him, he responds, \"And what are you? Call yourself a soldier? You run and hide behind magic ain't gonna face me with fists and weapons, you ain't nothing but a scab and I've put many of your lot into the ground, besides you followed me first, run along like the kid you are, but i want my steel back and you owe me a new gun.\" Giving a small smile to the person in front of him, once again getting into a fighting stance allowing fire to imbue the small parts of his cuffs to aid in his attacks" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"When did a' say a' was a Soldier??\" Proceeding to back up further, faster, \"I ain't owin' ya' Anythin'.\" Seems that that level of talk won't work either...\n\n\"Finder's keepers. Ya' threw it, I keep it. Spoils o' war, that sorta thing. 'sides, ya' ain't gonna win. Ya' left leg is bleedin' profusely an' ya' right leg is prolly buggin' ya' too judgin' by ya' goofy-lookin' walk. Should count y'self lucky that I ain't done Worse.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Staring at the man he says \"No wonder you ain't no right man, and that blade is worth more to me than you'll ever worth in your whole life. You really think you can do worse to me, hell you don't know me at all.\" Despite the pain in his legs he sprints forwards closing the distance facing about to throw a few punches, due to his military training and experience fighting in close quarters either directly he turns William will be there to throw a punch from his trench fighting years with his new fire magic in his hands" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Gold, watching the approach, simply steps back more and more as William attempts to punch, before shooting the 70 volts of pure electricity towards the man's punching, outstretched hand, attempting to Severely Weaken his opponent \"Y' have __one__ last chance t' tuck y' tail between ya' legs 'fore I make Sure Ya' spend th' next few days in the E.R.\"\n\nTkeeeeewww\n\nThe Palm Gun Once again begins to glow. Should William attempt another punch, or make any Silly Movement, Gold would fire, simply staying out of arm's reach due to the difference of armspan." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Even in immense pain, William still stands and doesn't let up his attack, putting all his effort into one final attack, he rushes forwards moving out the way of the hand now glowing and reaches for his bayonet, to break it free and push himself and his opponent off the roof" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Gold simply readjusts his posture, shooting the out-stretched hand, refusing to let go of the bayonet, yet stepping back of his own free will, harmlessly levitating off the side of the building.\n\nSeems Gold got what he wanted either way." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Falling off the building and landing on the street below, William now highly bloody, messy hair and missing his hat proceeds to stand up now limping and highly injured, I ain't down that easy He said to himself, \"Still hiding behind your magic huh? Well c'mon then let's keep goin'.\" He says while visibly beaten and damaged\n\nWilliam is hoping one of his comrades will see him" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"No thanks.\" Looking down at William, Gold simply shakes his head \"Got betta' things t' do.\" Before returning to the rooftop to make his escape, William now a few stories below and unable to reach him in time.\n\nGold steps into the middle of the rooftop, leaving William as if he were an afterthought and examining the new toy he just got his hands on, inspecting every small, intricate detail of it, before reaching his exposed hand out to touch the metal blade, \"Could use a lil' bit o' personality...\"\n\nSlowly but surely, spreading from Gold's fingertips, the bayonet's color begins to shift; what once was a boring old metal now turned into a shimmering Gold.\n\n\"Betta'....\"\n\n`Now where were we?`\n\nBeginning to walk back to the North, Gold makes his escape swiftly, not allowing much time at all for someone to accurately track him down." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "William heavily injured looked around for where his hat landed, he would see it on the floor of the sidewalk, limping over while occasionally coughing up small bits of blood he picked up his hat and placed it back on his head. Son of a bitch, now that guy has my bayonet and I'm here bleeding in the middle of the street. He stumbles his way to the alleyway and takes his trench coat off, tearing it into pieces to bandage up his wounds like he's done so many times before Now I don't have a coat great While looking for a way to get back up on the roof, finding a ladder he climbs up with great effort, leaving blood spills that form a path from the street to the ladder. Making it back up he notices that the opponent has left and left his revolver on the rooftop, he walks towards his revolver still on the ground and inspects the damage. Realizing his pistol now has 2 bullets lodged in the barrel he fields strip it and uses the cylinder rod to remove the object in the barrel\n\nHe now sits on the roof alone, and bleeding" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\n\"Daheh,\" Kuouo stared up at the sky, staring at the rivers of mana shimmering through the air of Sanctum Mesa as the resonance of Akuko's voice slowy faded away. \"Ya drive a hard bargain lady.\" He said to himself through a cocky side-smile. \"I've got some mana I wanna burn through right now anyways.\" \n```\n\nThe bandit furled his fists tightly, squatting down and beginning the first part of ascent. He suddenly sprung upwards, catching the ledge of the market stall's roof and pulling himself up with ease. Twirling around and now facing the street, fiery mana pooled at the pads of his feet as he invoked 1/10th of Blazestep's full potential in each paw. With a mere right step forward, the bandit propelled himself directly across the street towards the window of a small office building. \n\n```\n\"Woooohooooo!\"\n\n```\n\nWith his left leg now placed outward, his lower digits claw onto the narrow ledge of a window sill, followed by the bend of his knee and subsequent spring upward. With a whisper of Infernium's name, it flew out of its sheathe, shattering a window to the fifth and final floor of the office, allowing the bandit to make his dynamic entrance with a vault and roll inside. Manuevering past empty cubicles and fake plants, the bandit made quick work of the plain obstacles and finally entered the stairwell on the opposite end of the floor. Kuouo swung the door leading to the rooftop open, now aided with a vantage point as he began mulling over his plan to capture the Koi fish.\n\n```\n\"Always nice t' get a workout in, daheh!\" Kuouo rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. \"Now let's see how t' go about this..\" Standing over the festivities, the bandit slipped the notepad out of his back pocket as Infernium suddenly slipped back into its sheathe. \"Welcome back Inferny.\" He snickered to himself. \"Now tell me, whaddya think of the situation?\" The dagger laid attached to his waist in silence before Kuouo perked up. \"Hmm, that's pretty true. I don't think there's anyone in the east — But there were two bozos just fighting over... North? I think?\" Kuouo squinted his eyes and shook his head. \n\n\n```\n\n```\n\"Could jus' be another scrap though. But if there ain't nothin' in the east, I'll jot down their descriptions and see if they happened to get the lil fishy.\" Kuouo stuck his tongue out, scratching the base of his horns with the pen in his left hand as he doodled a fairly basic description of Gold and William. \"So! We're gonna follow this magic trail east a keep high ground to keep an eye on things. Up 'ere, we're gonna have the element of surprise — Should anyone beat me t' the thing, daheh!\"\n\n```\n\nKuouo inserted the pen through the rungs of the notepad before shoving it into his back pocket. Now aided by verticality, the bandit finally began his search for the Koi as he dashed from rooftop-to-rooftop, his eyes scanning the district in front of him from left to right to top to bottom to in front of him and the occasional glance behind to ensure he didn't miss anything or find himself being trailed." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Hearing that battle that had just occurred he ran back and looked around and jumped onto a roof same way as last time, he then looks at William and rushes over to him. \"What happened? All I know is I saw a bunch a stuff and then when I jump up here I see you nearly dead.\"" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at his comrade he responded with \"Ah hey shadow man, I fought a guy and he stole my bayonet and I kinda fell off the roof, more like I jumped but same thing.\" Giving a chuckle mixed with pained grunts and coughs. William then says \"I was thinking about buying you and starbi a gift, but looks like I don't have any much to give right now sorry about that bud.\" While trying to stand up but failing" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Somewhere within sanctum mesa...\n\nEndeven had just finished climbing up a seemingly infinite amount of stairs to the rooftop of a tall building. The sight was amazing and he could scout over the celebrating faces of both humans and medei. The fact that such an event is even possible astounded Endeven as he kept glaring through the streets. However this momentary peace and silence was about to be interrupted by a feminine voice.\n\n ```\n\"𝑬𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆!!\"```\n\nAs the words of White September reached Endeven's ears, he paid close attention to every single word so he wouldn't miss any, since this might be an important announcement, but the more this voice spoke, the more Endeven's eyes widened in shock. It was broadcasting the rules of a game and challenging the attendees of the festival to participate in a brawl-out over a fish. To him this idea of motivating a big group of people to locate and then chase the owner of the spirit koi amidst the festival activities and crowds seemed like the idea of an absolutely maniac. As he stared at the night sky with a face frozen from astonishment, Endeven attempted to come up with a plan to end the hunt as quickly as possible as to keep the damages caused by this O.S.A-Game at a minimum. Before he could ultimately come up with a gameplan, the words that unleashed the challenge rang through his ears as he instinctively started running across rooftops towards the source of a shining light, which he assumed to be the location of this spiritual koi:\n\n__```\n\"The Hunt begins... Now!\"```__\n\nThe beam of light split into three and Endeven decided to run towards the one south since it's the closest to his current location. Earlier, just until before he found his way up to the rooftop that he shortly rested on, Endeven took part in the work of maintaining the overhead lighting for the festival along with many other sorcerers. While he did so, he turned off his Oculus Accortex because it felt very safe around the festival just because of astra cantums strength in numbers. This let the mana from the previous casting regenrate quicklier, but Endeven no longer had that feeling of safety. \n\n```ini\n[\"Those O.S.A-guys keep getting brighter ideas. I'll just snatch the fish, disappear with the fish and win. If i do get into combat, it might not be too bad of an exercise.\"]\n```\n\nA thought struck the sorcerer. If he could lead the koi away from the crowds, that would let him defend it without casualties. Endeven suddenly looked forward to the experience this could be for him , guarding the koi until either his mana reserve or the festival end. A breeze of wind hit his face, clearing it from most strands of hair that previously covered the pale skin. Bright energy flashed up on the center of his forehead. An energy unique to this specific SOUL, unlike any other SOUL. \n\n```ini\n[\"I will show them why Astra Cantum will remain at the peak.\"]\n```\n\nSomething is going on. The bright light makes it impossible to see, yet it's clear what's happening. Incarnation.\n\n```\n\"𝓞𝓬𝓾𝓵𝓾𝓼 𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓮𝔁.\"```\n\nAs those words were chanted, the light had given birth to something new on Endeven's forehead. It became clearer to see with every second that more of the light faded. It revealed a shape that resembled an eye. It's pupil, a horizon of endless stars, was rapidly twitching into random directions while more of its shine dwindled. For a second it closed and stopped moving. Now it's open." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His eyes were shaking and his left hand was balled into a fist as his right hand tightened around his axes handle. \"You need to just lay down and do not get up whatsoever, you stay up here and do not fight anyone else, at first I was just gonna scare people, now it's game on.\" He then jumped back down and went to go find whoever had done that to William." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "William now watching max jumping down reaching into his pocket to grab his cigarettes, just said \"Good luck kid\" While slumping over and passing out before he had the chance to even light his butt" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Gold, forever on the search of the koi — a clear purpose set in his mind — could not care less if there was now a big target on his back. He was attacked first, not the other way around... Loyalty be what loyalty is.\n\nContinuing further in his chosen direction, Gold hops down into a nearby street, deciding to attempt to blend in with local people, should there be any To Do that with, still toying with the now golden bayonet before sliding it into his utility belt.\n\n`Kai's gonna freak out when I show 'er this.` He thinks to himself, chuckling absentmindedly; not a Care In the world." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Dragging his axe behind him, he walked angrier then before, he had gotten the pitch out of his hat aswell so both of his hands were holding a weapon, left had the axe, and right had the pitch. \"Y'know I never really thought of all to much, my strength nor my abilities, but now I have a reason to think about them, the sound of bones being crushed, the screams of agony and pain one can feel after having their arm's ripped off, the silence of a bullet going through someone's head, I can finally use my abilities for something, I don't give a shit whether I get kicked out or not, I'm killing someone tonight.\"" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Keep on keeping on. Nothing to see here. Despite having been in a fight just recently, the only blow landed against Gold was... To his face. No bullets, no bleeding, no nothing. In fact, as there was no description given of Gold, and the bayonet was properly stowed away, there is no real reason for Gold to be suspected of anything at all other than perhaps getting into a scuffle at one point or another; whether that was due to the event currently going on, or already pre-existing, would have to be up to the eyes of the interpreter." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "The sound of many steps and a fluttering robe was all that moved along with Endeven as he dashed from roof to roof. He put his right hand onto his forehead, where the Oculus Accortex was located on. When he removed his hand, the Oculus Accortex was sitting on his hand. After the right palm was placed on the back of Endeven's neck, the eye was left sitting there, partially hidden under his purple hair. With slight impatience, he mumbled to himself:\n\n```ini\n[\"Not much longer until i arrive at that light beam's location..\"]\n```\n\n He was mostly focusing on his surroundings, checking for other people that might've gained the spirit-koi's ownership already. While doing this, his creativity was running wild, thinking of ways to defend himself aswell as keeping the amount of spells used low." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He was still hunting for the spirit Koi as that's why he was here in the first place, but if anyone or anything came close to him, it'd be met with an axe slash or a gunshot that'd send them flying, he wasn't fully insane so he didn't just attack anything in his line of sight, but he was incredibly hostile, his weapons along with his mahoraga ish build, nothing would probably get to close to him. \"Wherever that bastard is when I find him I'm gonna chop his legs off, rip his arms off, and then gouge his eyes out with his own fingers, until then I'll just look for the spirit Koi.\"" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Gold momentarily stops, searching in his pockets for his money, pulling out his wallet and pushing a bag of coins aside, walking up to a nearby vendor and purchasing a tornado potato.\n\nStepping back out into the street upon successful purchase, Gold takes a big bite and continues his search.\n\nIn other words\n\nGold eats." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She grumbled a bit as seeing as she was being followed by this child, at least, what looked to be a child, she took a good few sharp turns throughout the winding crowd to lose him, ducking somewhat so that her easy to identify hair would be somewhat hidden. She didn't need someone questioning her and taking up her time for something she didn't consider important or useful." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi perked up from Athena speaking, turning to his head to her.\n\"Oh, uhh..\" Starbi's eyes moved back to the lady, seeing that she was going in another direction, Starbi was a bit surprised.\n\"I'll get back to that in a bit, I got something to do!\" Starbi spoke with a determined smile painted on his face he's not gonna give up easily! It was then he abruptly began running through the crowds of people to try to catch up he was a bit slow but he's not cold on the trail yet. He tried to resonate with the joy of everyone around him while running, to try and locate the person quicker, it seemed to work, as he got a general direction of where to go, still right on track on following the person, his persistence influencing the atmosphere with a strong breeze of cheer!" }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She hissed a bit as she could hear that whoever the hell this was certainly wasn't letting up. Couldn't have a day to herself without somebody trying to talk to her when she clearly wasn't interested huh? Maybe he just couldn't tell that and was painfully oblivious but she didn't seem to think a person could manage to be so stupid. She huffed, lighting another cigarette - the last one - from her pack to try to de-stress as smoke drifted into the air and she ducked into another alleyway to blend in with the dark. Perhaps, she could find a way around through the alleyway, a shortcut." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena seeing Starbi bolt into the crowds of people responded with \"Alright, Keep an eye out for that koi fish while you're at it\", Then she continued onto her adventure south hoping to find the Koi Fish along the way" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi was still on the trail, even if he fell behind a bit, he was still on the track, he can't give up yet, he's already running! He's sure that this'll unfold quickly! Still resonating with the joy of those around, he deduced that he should take a left on the next alleyway, and so.. He did! Slowing down to then lightly skid on the pavement, turning to the left, and then walking into the alley, he was then slowing down, now walking into the alley, looking around to be shrowded in darkness, hm.. Does he not get deja vu? Perhaps that person was hiding, it was then that he smelt the smell of.. A cigarette burning, he then turned his head to the right, then turned around to look into a part of the dark, he found them, the sharp lack of joy of the festival, his persistence paid off in the end!\n\"Oh, there you are, hi there!\" Starbi spoke positively, gesturing a friendly wave to them." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "```diff\n- \"Ugh. Why the hell were you following me. I clearly didn't want to fuckin' talk.\"\n```\nShe grumbled and glared at him as she leaned against the wall. Her displease at him finding her was clear and probably stung like a wasp would as she blew smoke towards his general direction. Although not intentional for it to go in his face, she wouldn't care if it did." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's head tilted to the side as his expression turned to one of a confused one as the lady spoke, she seemed upset.\n\"Oh, well,\" Starbi spoke,\n\"I wanted to see what was up with you, I felt something was wrong earlier! I then saw you a little later, I was gonna go do something else, but..\" Starbi turned his head to the side, then looked back.\n\"I instead followed you, I wanted to find out what was up!\" He responded with a reassuring smile on his face, his joyful aura lingering over the alleyway.." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "Her facial expression didn't change, still just as annoyed even with his explanation as she stared at him.\n\n```diff\n- \"If I wanted to bother talking I would've done it myself now wouldn't I? Get lost. I don't enjoy large events like these and it's as simple as that. Just a gut feeling something would go wrong, but now, I'm just wasting my time. The only thing worth sticking around is to see what other rewards there could be past that fish as a pet.\"\n```\n\nShe hissed a little as she clearly didn't like being asked what was wrong. There were numerous things that could've been wrong in this moment, she just had to pick the most relevant. Things that had been weighing down on her for years didn't matter when this damned festival was going to make her head pop with all the loud noise." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's face faltered a little while the lady was talking, listening to what she had to say, but he remained keeping his friendly demeanor to her.\n\"Well, even so,\" Starbi commented, \"I felt your presence here in the festival before that whole contest came along, I don't know what my point is going here..\" Starbi spoke with an embarrassed smile.\n\"But that's besides the point!\" Starbi exclaimed with a determined smile.\n\"I'm not gonna be here while I leave someone alone by themselves while not being happy, there's no way I'd do that! I'm just that kind of guy, y'know?\" Starbi let out a small laugh, looking at the lady as he spread his arms out with a smile of gold.\n\n\"For the sake of what I believe in, I want to make sure that I try to make everyone I meet smile, including you! I can't give up until it's too late, life can be too short to miss the smallest chances that can matter, and it'd be too silly to not take those chances, otherwise, it might get bad in the long run, and that's what life is all about, taking chances, cause how would you know what would happen?\" \n\nStarbi spoke, his face glowing in the dark alleyway with his closed eyes and wide smile, hoping that what he said at least cheered the lady up." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She paused for a bit, muttering to herself and biting at the cigarette that hung loosely from her lips, but at least her annoyed look had gradually and slowly changed into a neutral blank slate.\n\n```diff\n- \"Look, you seem like a nice kid, but your enthusiasm is wasted here. I don't need your help, I'm always like this. Go find the guys were hanging out with before, you're wasting your time and mine, I would at least like to try to find that fish.\"\n```\n\nShe sighed as she did envy him some for how naive he seemed to how shit the world could be. How many things there were to be pissed or upset about rather than plastering a stupid smile on your face and moving on. Sometimes moving on was impossible, things would haunt you for years." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's smile faded a little as he opened his eyes to look at the lady, having an expression of unsureness, but retaining that signature friendly feeling as he listened to what she was saying, was she right? No, of course not, surely something got through to her! Starbi was sure of that at least,\n\"No time of mine is wasted! I make sure to look to any sort of branch of fate to see what'll happen! I don't regret coming here to speak to you instead of doing my mission! I branched off what I did and it paid off, if it means getting to at least speaking to you and have you at least listening to what I have to say, that's gotta mean something, right?\" Starbi spoke rhetorically, having a mischievous but friendly smile on his face.\n\n\"I may have not done much now, but at least we got to speak with each other, and with that, it'll be easier when we get to speak next time! The future always lies ahead, and eventually, we all move towards it and see how it turns out! Whether that be in a minute, an hour, or an entire year! I'm glad I got to talk to you, my name's Starbi by the way! That's the ess to the tea, and to the aye are Bi!\" Starbi spoke with a smile, following along with a cheerful introduction. \n\"But, you probably heard my name while I was talking to that big group before, I can be a bit loud at times, haha..\" Starbi spoke, trailing off with a friendly laugh.\n\n\"It seems that I best be going now, that's the least I could do for now,\" Starbi spoke calmly.\n\n\"But just wait, I might be seeing you very very soon, who knows how long!\" Starbi spoke with a persevering smile.\n\n\"I'll see you around mysterious lady, I have a mission to carry out now!\" Starbi spoke with a friendly wave, \n\n\"Keep on going, for the everchanging future! You never know, what lies behind won't always lie ahead, that is what makes the future everchanging, and life fun!\" \n\nStarbi added as he quickly paced out of the alleyway, not even asking for her name, sounds like him, heh." }, { "author": "Emily Vaughan", "message": "She stayed silent as she listened to him, not bothering to introduce herself as he was already on his way out. Why would she bother with her name? At most she would only give him her last name, she preferred it that way. Regardless, she sighed at him finally leaving her alone as she walked off. She wasn't sure how kids did it sometimes. Always being so kind and persevering despite her bitter attitude and irritated look. Seems even if Starbi got into a poor situation he would be positive, a skill that she never managed to obtain even when she herself was young for specific reasons. \n\nShe grimaced a bit at partially remembering why she ended up like this, quickly turning and letting out a sigh to exhale some of the smoke from her cigarette. She stomped out from the alleyway now that she was no longer being followed and continued heading in the southern direction of the festival.\n\n```diff\n- \". . .Kids are odd.\"\n```\n\nShe mumbled to herself rather than anyone in particular, she just didn't really understand Starbi." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "After a while of walking around he thought about just leaving the revenge for after the event, remembering the directions of the lights, he put his weapons back into his hat, jumped up, and used a type of air cannon from his hands to propel himself east." }, { "author": "Lucia, \"della Grazia\"", "message": "\"Saint Raphael, o' Archangel...\"\n\"...Great healer of the sick, and dutiful protector of travelers...\"\n\nThe soft voice of a woman breathed a prayer, having — though somewhat late — arrived to aid William. Consciousness returned to the injured man as enchanted words of a divine prayer soothed his ears, an auric, golden energy granting a gentle warmth that seeped down to the very bone.\n\n\"Turn now your merciful gaze upon this lost child of God.\"\n\"Now I pray for your intercession—\"\n\n...Potent, were the words of her healing. It seems that the representative of the O.S.A, White September, did not merely speak idle words when she promised that lesser wounds would be tended to by on-site staff. Perhaps it was due to their preoccupation, or perhaps it was due to the fact that he remained isolated on a roof; all the same, William was healed, and rather rapidly. Now, though not all pain had left his body, he could open his eyes, the bleeding had stopped, and the pain of any bruising had waned considerably.\n\n\"May your healing descend upon him.\"\n\"May you guide my hands with your mercy and wisdom.\"\n\"Pour into me — a vessel — the mercies of God—\"\n\"...And grant me His grace to pour forth.\"\n_ _\n\nThe spell met its end, and William was fully healed. Remarkable, considering what damage he had already taken — she was no doubt a ranked member of the Vicariate, Immediately identified by her distinct Catholic garb and tradition, yet her free and fluent use of magic. And fluent in magic she was; such a spell did not appear even to exhaust her in the slightest.\n\n\"...The damage on your body has been treated,\" She spoke, rather quietly.\n\"...But has not disappeared, entirely.\"\n\"It may feel it has healed in its entirely,\" She warned, \"But it surely still exists.\"\n\"I would suggest you do not... Stir, too much. You may return to the Hunt — but... I would implore you to reconsider.\"\n\"If you get into another conflict, you could well open the wounds I have sealed.\"\n\nHer voice was soft, reassuring, and almost melodic, made even more enchanting by the mana-suffused nature that permeated the prayer she had just spoken. The recovery of her patient — William — had accelerated to such a point that his vision had returned to a point of clarity. He could then behold his healer: a woman, draped in the traditional attire of a Catholic sister, donning a long, loose-fitting dress, a thin, white veil, and a rosary, clutched in her right hand and pressed against her chest. Her hair was a soft and light brown, and her eyes an identical color.\n\nShe gave a gracious nod, before standing upright. Upon William's confirmation, she would depart." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Staring at the lady in front of him William said, \"Thank you for the heal lady but God has nothing to do with me, he forsake me a long time ago and I turned my back on him.\" Standing up and said, \"Tell me true, if our God is just, why did he let us fight in a war that ended nothing?\" Turning away from the figure he made his way down the ladder to return to the street saying under his breath, \"In the mud and blood there shall be no peace not for us, not for our souls and mind.\" But before departing he left a gift, a gesture of thanks. A small smile and saying, \"Names William by the way, if you ever need anything from me just remember that name.\" Leaving the rooftop with no other words to be said" }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "He turned to face Ha, shrugging his shoulders subtly. \"Since we already seem to paired up, I think maybe me and you could go looking for that fish. If you're alright with that, I say we could head East and see where that takes us.\" He waited quietly for a response, shifting his belt and cracking his neck." } ]	119.5	9,866
376.666667	2023-12-23	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "Shuffling through the dense crowd, a figure with snow white hair stood out amongst the common festival-goers. They were no different from anyone else however, mostly only wishing to enjoy the festivities themselves. The festivities—while nice—were not the entire reason they came to Sanctum Mesa, but for the time they could put aside their ulterior reasoning for visiting. It had been quite some time after all since they had been to a celebration; the last time may very well have been from a bygone era. What harm could come from celebrating a little? It was a celebration in favor of the new age—something they thought very fondly of. They were able to grasp a general understanding of what the main event was from the mutters of the crowd. \n\n\"Hunting down a fish?\" A slight smirk came over their face, \"It definitely _is_ O.S.A fashion, I suppose,\" They muttered under their breath, scanning around for other activities to partake in. They were not _entirely_ against the idea of a chaotic race for a fish, but they were a latecomer to the event. Perhaps it'd be best to find a different way to celebrate, one less... _violent_ as well. They had witnessed the initial scuffle between August and William, being dissuaded from participating in the hunt somewhat. It was not out of concern for themselves per se, more the general concept of violence as a whole. Being able to put context behind the brawl did not help their disdain for the activity either, but it definitely lifted their perception of August and William. \n\nParacelsus averted their attention away from the various groups that had split up in participation of the fish hunt, instead making their way back through the crowd towards the western side of the plaza—a direction not associated with the mad dash for the fish. Maybe some less violent alternatives to celebration awaited them here." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "To the west, the festivities of the Festival grow denser, with more of the critical happenings within the celebration extending westward from the central plaza — it seems that the event organizers, out of caution, made a point of intending that most of the casual participants of the event would be some distance away from the combatants in the Hunt. A spectacle is good, sure; but injured passers-by certainly are not. To those ends, the worries of the latent dangers held within hosting an in-crowd fighting event were somewhat alleviated, though not outright quelled.\n\nThat all is to say that the white-haired man was now delving into the heart of both the crowd and preparation, passing by partygoers and suits alike — festival participants and event staff dispersed throughout a great congregation each in their own proportional margins. SOULS and magic had a way of becoming lost in a swirling, commensurate blur when brought together in such great numbers, their unique shapes and forms coalescing an iridescent mirage of energy and life coalescing at the heart of this collection of all peoples—those of all times and all places. Yes, the Festival Had something for anybody and everybody — it was merely a matter of where to look. The collective identity of that very same \"Anybody and everybody\" Was now manifest before him, taking form as a great convergence of inspirations, emotions, pasts and presents, natures and ways-of-life — a sumtotal of all that which could define what a person Is And Could be." }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "There amidst that crowd of life, something shimmered. It was like a pure-amethyst gemstone amidst purple quartz; like a single star amidst nebulae; like a roaring flame amidst the embers. It was a SOUL As pure and refined as one could think, yet of a color that was, at first, indistinct — much of the true hue of its `Spirit` hidden behind a shimmering, radiant `Vessel,` vitreous and pure in appearance, yet of such a fire that dispersed all the incident world that attempted to peer beyond the crystalline barrier into variegated, pale light. A SOUL Whose color only became evident once evaluated much, much closer: its aura was such that it seemed to radiate incredibly subtle, yet almost starlike formations of pure energy-of-life, hued a true amethyst that quietly dazzled the realm of spirits around itself.\n\n Lueur d'Étoiles. The host of this event, presiding as a representative of Academiae Astra Cantum As a whole. Her hair was as pale, and similarly as much the same color, as fresh leaves in spring; her eyes were concealed beneath the thin veil that extended beyond her long, embellished hat. She was all the image of what her SOUL Itself was: a gemstone so incredibly refined that it became nearly impossible to see what was beyond the surface of her character. Stood amidst an association of sorcerers of SOUL Colors and intensity akin to — yet never reaching the same, sheer potency as — her own, it seemed she was leading a small conversation amidst core members of the Academy overseeing the affairs of the Festival.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"—The tailbird then should oversee the young Dioscuri.\"\n\"...Yes, the lights, I believe it was.\"\n\"And Veilleuse? Have they yet reported...?\"```\n\n—so the pale-haired Paracelsus heard, from their distance." } ]	386	1,130
439.666667	2024-01-08	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "The hunt to the East had met its conclusion. Those who still lingered there did so in search for something or someone who might still hide within its midst; as for the most of them, however, it was time to move on. It was eventful, to be sure — violent and harming in some ways, and bonding and enlightening in others. Even if it only made them hate eachother's guts, now many of the Hunters in search of the Koi knew much of who they were up against and with: all the cards were lain on the table, and yet the prize was still out of sight...\n\nExcept for one, of course.\n\nOne returns from the East with what all the others who ventured and fought there fought for, a comrade at his side. Melded into the vast crowd of the festival streets, hunting down this Hunter will be quite the great challenge for those who return.\n\n\n\n*```THE KOI HUNT\nENTERS PHASE 2```\n\n`- -`\n\n ATTENTION!\"\n\n—A booming, feminine voice with a deep growl resonates far-and-wide through the city streets of Sanctum Mesa, cutting clearly through the resonant idle noise of the festival, a number of its participants stopping in their tracks to face toward the origin of the noise. Toward the origin of the noise, and—\n\nSTOMP. STOMP. STOMP. STOMP.*\n\n—the repetitive rhythmic stomps that follow it, originating from a collective of least five-dozen or more individuals at once. A march.* Tall, short, wide and slim figures clad each in identically-designed, yet individually-fitted suits of regal, symbolic armor march in rows of four through the wide centerstreets of the Festival, all emblazoned with a distinct insignia and banner. The unmistakable three-part rune. The arcane symbol of royalty. \n\nThe mark of the Regni Medeas: the Medeian Royal Dynasty and their Guard.\n\nThe Custos Regni's show of power had already begun near the start of the festival. Yet here they all were: nearly every member of the Guard here at the Festival present — even their captain, in all her armored glory. That, then, raised the question: what was this commotion about?\n\n\"ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE FESTIVAL OF CONVERGENCE—\"\n\"PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE HERO OF ALL MEDEI-KIND—\n*\"THE FORERUNNER* AND GREAT FLAME OF FĪNĪRE—\"\n\n__\"HIS MAJESTY, THE MEDEIAN `𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆`!\"__\n\nSTOMP. STOMP. STOMP!*\n\nThe Custos Regni stop in the streets, performing a traditional salute with spears in-hand. As cheers roar throughout the streets, the entire Festival holds its breath in a moment of anticipation..." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"Well I figured ya didn't wanna kill 'em — Ya know, festival rules and what not.\" Kuouo looked to the side, idly tapping his digits along the floor. \"But... Good problem solvin' I 'spose!\" Kuouo tilted his head and smiled. \"Saved me from gettin' shot and I don't got a motorbike t' save me this time.\" The bandit slipped out a notepad and pen from his backpocket, flipping its trusty pages once more as he put his heist-minded logic to work. Sticking out his tongue, he semi-deftly illustrated Daniel and himself holding the fish together before representing the garage they were in with a circle of dark ink.\n\n\"So this is the parking garage we're in, right?\" Kuouo set the notepad on the ground and pushed it towards Daniel. \"Those two asshats in trenchcoats allllllll the way over here.\" He drew a crude boat in place of the glorious Navis Auri, once again putting his penmanship to work and decorating both Max and William as stick figures in cute cowboy hats. \"They're actually slightly closer than that, but point o' interest, y'know?\" The goat struck several lines, surrounding the perimeter of the circle that entombed their ink-y compositions. \n\n\"The moment we stand up, we're pretty much in the open for 'im t' take a sh—\"\n\n— \n\nWhat's this?\n\nThat voice. The familiar sound of armor clanking against the ground. The regal insignia plastered on each and every guard. There's no doubt about it - It was the Custos Regni, and they were rolling out the red carpet for the king.\n\nThe bandit smacked his tongue, \"Tch. No king o' mine.\" He rolled his eyes and kept watching through his peripherals. 'They had all the time in the world t' do this, __why__ in the middle of a dangerous fish hunt?'* Kuouo thought to himself, squinting at the captain who he disrespectfully saw as his equal. Finally, he stood up, leaning against the rail and watching the debacle from afar as he disregarded his caveat earlier. \"Let's see what the hub-bub's all about. We can keep a better eye on who's in the crowd too cuz ye'd be a Damn fool T' fire off yer weapon with the Medeian King out like this." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Still running and hopping from roof to roof, he stopped in his tracks at the booming voice yelling the arrival of a king and the marching of an army, There's a king now, an actual king? No matter they're all the same, kings, captains, barons, all are rich and powerful off the backs of the working class. He thinks to himself remembering the labor unions and the how it was his job to protect 'American prosperity' as they called it, what a bunch of damn lies. This complicates things, I can't be firing with him nearby, watch and observe. While coming down from the roof to the ground and hiding in the darkness, only observing the crowd gathered, hoping to spot kuouo and Daniel, keeping his rifle slung over his shoulder and his pistol hidden by his coat. If needed, he will draw but not unless forced" } ]	515	1,319
284.25	2024-01-10	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Watching the crowd from the alleyway, the adrenaline from the earlier fights began to wear off, causing the feeling of pain and exhaustion to come back. Shit, I need to find a place to rest. Thinking to himself and remembering the plan to meet back up on the rooftop, he stumbles his way over to the ladder leading up to the roof. With pain in his legs, he manages to climb up and finds a secluded spot. The wound is healed but doesn't change the pain. Need to rest. Walking over to the spot he takes off his jacket and wraps it around himself to act as a blanket against the cold, sitting against the wall he feels his eyes grow heavier and the exhaustion taking hold, Just a little rest... It's cold here The final thoughts in his head as he passes out. But even in sleep, there is no peace..." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\n\"Mnn, true - Gah, where'd I put it?\" Kuouo looked through Hidden Inventory for a certain dark cloak he had claimed during his own ventures within Disparity, but alas... It was nowhere to be found. As a matter of fact, neither a change of clothes or his trusty sewing kit were stocked away. \"Ah shit, I musta threw it all down in Raven's closet or somethin'.\" He smacked his tongue and tapped his chin. \"Ah well, whichever the case. I kinda stick out like a sore thumb 'til we get some new clothes. Oughta watch out for the guard too if we do happen t' go down. Doubt they'd do anything, but still.\" He lightly grumbled, deep in thought over the slight change in situation...\n```\n\n```\n'The sitch ain't too bad now,' The bandit thought, planting his butt confidently on the ledge of the parking garage and looking at the cheering masses below. 'with the king 'ere, there ain't a way in hell we're going to be shot at — And I'd hate t' see someone try.' He bitterly stared down the captain of the royal guard from a distance. 'But whenever it's over, they can take the shot. For all I know, they could have their damn crosshairs trained on me right now. Need t' do some sly reconnaissance I 'spose, but how...'\n```\n\nKuouo tilted his head, scratching the base of his broken left horn. The bandit mused over the idea for a few more minutes before finally bending over backwards and looking at Daniel.\n\n```\n\"Say, ya wouldn't happen t' have yer new girlfriend's phone number, would ya?\" He asked, teasingly referring to Ha. \"If she happens t' be still in the same area, I'd love t' ask 'er for a favor.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "\"I didn't catch her phone number, but we could always head back to the Navis Aura to see if she's still there. I do feel bad fer leaving her there but between getting tha shit beat outta me and coming back later to get 'er later, I think I made an okay decision.\"\n\nHe walked up next to Kuo, sitting down and leaning his chin on his hand while staring down at the King's convoy making their way through the street. What a piece of work..." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Calling what she had done 'flinching' would be... Unfair. She hadn't flinched- hadn't jumped in shock from the militant shout a street or so over. But she had certainly reacted. She'd gotten half into a parade rest before she caught herself, shifting her jacket as she forced her body back to normalcy. Right.. She wasn't a soldier here, and that wasn't her commanding officer. She tried to blend in a bit more with the crowd as it was made known who this procession was for- the medeian king. Best not to draw attention from anyone in that circle, certainly. She may only be a low-tier mercenary but... What she did was still most certainly illegal. No use running risks against royalty. She ran a glancing hand over her eyepatch. One could call it a nervous habit, but she'd never admit any sort of nerves. Especially not over something as minor as avoiding arrest- she was perfectly capable of keeping her cool in a crowd.\nShe hadn't found what she was looking for at the first stall on her plan. Lightweight body armor here felt much different than what she'd had where she came from... A difference in material, undeniably. All the same, she had more stops on her list. Medical supplies were next. Getting there was admittedly made more difficult by the appearance of the king and his guard- but she'd excuse a delay this one time, for sake of not causing a scene. Frustrating as it was, patience was her best bet for today." } ]	248	1,137
202.5	2024-01-12	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "*THUMP THUMP.\n\nA cadence beat.\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\nThe spears of the Custos Regni* Bared—\n\n*THUMP THUMP.\n\n—The slam of their dull against the ground.\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\nIt could be heard from a kilometer.\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\nThe cadence beat of the soldiers in unison—\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\n—The cadence beat of a heart in anticipation.\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\n_ _\n\n`- -`\n\n\n_ _\nThump. Thump. Thump. Thump.\n\nHe stood at three meters tall.\nHis horns were worn like a crown.\nHis steps each carried the fullness of a kingdom's weight.\n\nThump. Thump. Thump. Thump.\n\nHis eyes were red as his spectral crown.\nHis cape flowed long, purple as the amethyst of Fluminis'* Sky.\nHis fur was a rugged white mantle, marked with the story of a war and history long forgotten.\n\n*Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.\n\nHis SOUL, white, a fire—\nHis crown is magic; \nAnd his kingdom, of earth below.\n\nThump. Thump. Thump. Thump.\n\nHumanity once feared his name.\nThe Medei still praise it to this day.\nHe is neither a god nor a man.\n\nYet the world itself\nBows at the foot of his scepter." }, { "author": "-- THE KING --", "message": "```\n HE IS\nＴＨＥ　ＫＩＮＧ\n OF ALL MEDEI.```\n\nThe King arrives." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Thumb... Bang\nThumb... Bang\nThumb... Bang\nHe opens his eyes, searching around, all around a field one of flowers and green grass. A field where once a battled raged, where men died and peace was forgotten. He continues to search till he spots a coyote, standing and watching him as he does it. The coyote is covered in blood and eyes filled with anger but sorrow hidden behind. William looks away to spot an owl, one staring at him as the coyote just was. Then the owl opened its beak to make its sounds but all was heard was BANG* And suddenly the fields turned muddy, and bodies laid all over... William wakes back up on the roof, in the blink of an eye clearing leather and aiming his revolver at the direction infront of him. Visibly shaken, he calms himself down and stands up, looking over the rooftop to spot the king and his arrival. He also views the crowd below him trying to spot Kuouo and Daniel but failed to spot them instead of spotting someone with an eyepatch, Ex-soldier? Maybe they look it, that king won't grant me any favors either, I can't be walking down there with my street howitzer and rifle without bringing attention to myself. Best stay up and watch. He thinks to himself and retreating back to hide his position while still watching the parade and putting his coat back on, and lighting a cigarette to help calm his nerves" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He was still rocketing through the air thinking about how he could've planned things a tad bit different, he finally landed on the roof of a building before pulling a black hat out of his hand, he then put it on and tried to think, until the sound of the soldier's caught his attention, he looked down at them with an exhausted expression, he really didn't care at this point as he'd become to tired to care, he was definitely doing much better since his fight with Kuouo, but that did little to ease his mind, he was basically one encounter away from murdering someone, the fact is it wouldn't be his first." } ]	217.5	810
309.666667	2024-01-14	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Ha", "message": "Clang. Clang. Clang.\n\nThe repeating sounds of a sheathed end banging against the staircase, bearing its rhythmic accordance to the beholder's walk, growing more and more discernable with each grueling step she took echoing throughout the garage. In a place as technologically thorough as Sanctum Mesa, it sure had very little handicap favorable mechanisms in its facilities. An Elevator Would be enough, but even so, Ha did not complain greatly, however not to be mistaken for lack of pain as evidenced by the strained look on her face— the contracting of the facial muscles, contorting her mouth into an ugly shape— and weakened pace of her trek. Naturally, she had someone else to whine on her behalf." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"WHAT INCOMPETENCE. TO HAVE NO SYMPATHY IN PLACES OF SUCH STATURE FOR THE LESSER ABLED. . .\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\"It's okay . . .The pain will keep me awake. That's helpful. . . Right?—\"`` She remarked through an exasperated sigh, eventually coming to a stop and practically throwing herself against the wall once she'd realized they were close enough to their destination— accidentally, she tossed Salhaeja to the ground, orchestrating yet another unintentional serenade of metal clashing against the concrete floor. It also pained her bad shoulder to thrust her body as she did, but at this point, she could only hear and feel her the cries of her aching leg. It was worth the lesser agony. \n\n``\". . . Sorry.\"`` She whispered to her companion, although fully aware that doing so did not cause him any physical pain. She felt herself at a sudden crossroads, taking this brief window to go over her situation best as she could manage in her condition. Indeed, the more conscious she was, the easier it was for her to. . . Think, about things.\n\nAccording her to blade, Daniel and Kuouo were somewhere nearby, floor 6-b. Sal had explained earlier that the entire point of that fish exercise was not to actually participate in the game, the so-called hunt— which turned out to be a sham, essentially— but to gauge, in one respect, who could be her most valuable allies moving forward pertaining to the circumstances. As much as he disliked him, he determined that the farm animal was of impressive, somewhat reckless skill and intellect. He was also able to figure out his existing reputation as a thief, which implicated longevity and a penchant for survival. Dan, on the other hand, seemed to have a simple, yet strong sense of character that Sal conversely appreciated from the moment he'd met Ha. An added bonus was that they both knew each other quite well already. Once scattered, Sal had taken the time to pinpoint their trails.\n\nIn reality, they were likely more concerned with avoiding who they'd antagonized then the larger, unbeknownst issue looming over the festival.\n\nEven so, he instructed her to to meet with them anyway, and if need be, entertain their goals, admitting that it'd be useless to attempt and scout those in other vicinities— south, west— at this point, not that he expected them to exceed the capablities of the aforementioned. So, that's exactly what she set out to do. He did expressly not mention if she could or could not reveal to them that she was not as crippled as appearances suggested, but perhaps he wanted her to. . . Figure that out herself? No, that couldn't be right. Also, he mentioned that the King of the Finire was present, and that presumably made matters tedious for the pair ahead. She could understand why, and was not very curious about him more than what little she knew, not unless it mattered here and now.\n\n``\". . .They know I'm here. . . I think.\"`` Ha muttered to herself, an indication of her improved focus. It turns out she was completely right about the pain thing; though still enduring a sharp ache in her leg, she reached down and picked up her sheath. Then, she used it to reveal herself from behind the wall, where Dan and Kuouo could make out her image. Its possible they assumed her to be a threat and may've armed themselves, but they couldn't have been that paranoid to outright take her out. Sal had not intervened or told her off, so she must've been right.\n\n``\". . .Hey, guys. Sorry. . . Got, held back.\"``" } ]	153	929
1,178.75	2024-01-17	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "The Custos Regni Stood on either side of the path he walked that divided the participants of the Festival in two, both hands firmly grasping the spear that they wielded upright and against the ground, close to their chests and almost touching their faces, every armored soldier shoulder-to-shoulder with another. There amidst them walked the King eternal: His Majesty, the great monarch of the Regni Medeas. With a scepter of radiant red in his right hand, he appeared from no more than air itself, brought directly to Sanctum Mesa by some sort of long-range transportation spell: a dimensional doorway.\n\nBefore him walked twin mages, cloaked in blue and purple, with halfcapes on opposing shoulders — the one at the left hand of the King's cloak hung over their left, and vice versa for the one at his right. Both were slender humanoids constructed entirely of gemstones of a color that opposed their cloaks — they who donned the blue cloak was constituted of a purplish crystal; they who donned the purple cloak was constituted of a bluish crystal, they were exact parallels of one another. Their heads were shaped as oblique octahedrons that acuminated to very fine points, spindly in proportion, as Medei who took a basic sapien shape yet were full of all unique and alien traits unlike life as it was anywhere else on Earth. They were short — shorter than most humans — and in the wake of the King, they seemed incredibly small. Small yet full of a peculiar sense of sharpness and elegance, granted to them by their form and royal apparel.\n\nBehind him walked a small company of several individuals, each of various positions within the monarchy assigned to the personal entourage of the King.\n_ _\n\nThere was an exceptionally-tall and thin humanoid-avian Medei who stood with his winged arms tucked close to his side and with his posture so sharply upright that his profile was as a blade of midnight: thin, tall, and straight as a needle. His feathers a deep onyx hue, donning a more modern, human-cultured garb: a vest and a fine cotton shirt, and grayish-black pants that were not quite as dark as his feathers themselves. With two, sharp, front-facing eyes, the bird-of-prey was most like a hawk, with eyes of deep-black with a thin outer ring of whites, the only thing that contrasted the deep inkiness of his form being his bold, yellowish-orange beak. While his gaze was keen, he was, in truth, a most delicate and stately figure, one who walked a polite two steps behind the King at all times.\n\nThen there was, beside the fine avian figure, a Medei clad in a natural armor, a loose copper Elytra Descending down the length of her back, herself being roughly the same size as the avian Medei, yet almost twice his width. She donned a pure-white cape that encompassed her all-around, held together with a golden pin, leaving a thin breach through its middle through which one could see her body: burly, insectoid, and plated all over with a natural exoskeletal armor that had a slight copper tint to it. Most like a beetle, she was perhaps, besides the two mages at the front, the Medei least like a human, though still charming in her own unique manner.\n_ _\n\nFifth and finally of them all, there was one of a much more average height — a dozen-or-so centimeters taller than the average human, sure, yet still much shorter than the company that surrounded her — a lupine figure: short, coarse fur covered her all over, a mixture of coal-black and tawny patches wherein lay small accents of bright white and subtle gradients of dark-and-light gray. Much unlike those around her, she donned a set of armor quite similar to that of the Custos Regni, Covered in decorated plates of dull-gray metal embellished with accents befitting of a champion, regal flares and tassels upon its pauldrons and elaborate engravings traveling down the length of her breastplate and greaves. She donned no helmet, openly displaying her unblemished muzzle with a sense of youth and fire in her eyes: a more trained gaze from one more familiar with Medei would find that she was significantly younger than the centuries-old company she was amidst. She was likely no more than twenty or thirty in human years, whereas some of her companions were well-over 200." }, { "author": "-- THE KING --", "message": "*Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.\nIt took no announcement, no signal, not a word nor a motion, for the spectators and participants of the Festival to understand. He was leading the Festival in a new direction with his presence alone — a movement which would kickstart a new act of many in this celebration. In an orderly fashion, along either of the two sides along the central path made for the King by the Custos Regni,* Many of those amidst the Festival make way to follow the pace of the march of the King. Fires were raised in his honor as Medei performers sounded trumpets, drums, cymbals, and all manner of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, in the wake of his procession, arcane lights dazzling the air and yet never passing the great wall of armor that was the Guard in their two lines, dutifully protecting the King and his entourage.\n\nThe Festival was already lively enough, but around the march of the King, it grew denser than dense, humans and Medei alike flocking in droves through the wide streets to catch a glimpse of the fabled \"King of Medei\". He was scarcely seen in the public eye — especially in the public eye of humankind. An appearance at a Festival like this was a rare one, no doubt. Only through the collaborative presence of the Custos Regni And the event staff was a consistent order upheld. Hundreds and hundreds of people were guided through the streets in a remarkably coordinated fashion: a truly impressive display of both entities' competence and respect.\n_ _\n\n*\"ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE FESTIVAL OF CONVERGENCE, PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE KING OF THE MEDEI!\"\n\nThe King marched southward. His expression was neutral and firm, unchanging in the presence of the music and the festivities, the bustling crowds and those that and all their howling, cheering, whistling, singing, chanting, kneeling and dancing. He was unmoved by it all and without a word from the moment of his arrival through the entirety of his march — in fact, he still had not said a single word at all. All about the King was spoken for him and never by him.\n\n_ _\nTo one, he appears as a stoic and silent warrior, needless of words and expressing himself through action alone. He is the hero of two-millennia past, a champion whose victories speak for themselves.\nTo another, he appears as an ancient king, both humbled and wisened by his many years. He is a leader who both knows importance and humility, who knows when to raise his voice and when to keep it.\nTo anothermore, he seems a languished and tired soul, who has seen bygone eras come-and-go. He is an ancient thing who has been through this all a hundred times and more, who can feel no more for what all he has already seen and been done with.\nTo another still and finally, he seems a coward. A king who is established by the strength of those around him; a craven leader who has seen more defeats than he has victories, all bravery gnawed away by two-thousand years of imprisonment and failure.\n\nHe is a Medei of many definitions and of many perspectives, yet he has been and continues to be, eternal—\nThe King.\n\n```\n\"𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐎,\"```\n\nThe King now stood before a southern stage — an arena. He hoisted his scepter over his head, clutching it in his right hand as he closed his eyes, his voice booming in a sudden announcement that quieted all the Festival in a single breath.\n\n\nAn effulgent-red magical energy engulfs the surface of his scepter, as its form changes into that of a three-pronged spear, engulfed entirely in a gleaming, scarlet-red flame that dyed its surroundings in the hue of its light. To the common man, it was no more than an enchanted weapon — an ethereal blade consumed by a powerful, fiery magic. To any Medei, however, it was an item of myth, immediately recognizable. A weapon over two-thousand years old. A historical spear spoken of in myth, fable, and history alike.\n\n__ Ardens Caelum.__\nThe scarlet spear that set the dusk horizon of the millennium war ablaze.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑.\"\n\"𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐈 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋\"\n\"𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓 𝐀 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐖, 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒.\"\n\"𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐈 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘.\"```\n\n\nThe blunt end of the spear strikes against the ground, the echo of its weight reverberating felt by all those who stood within the direct vicinity of the King. A circlet of flame ignited about the contact point of the weapon, its very presence enough to give flame to the air around.\n\n```\n\"𝐘𝐄𝐓 𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒:\"\n\"𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐅𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄\"\n\"𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐒\"\n\"𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀 𝐒𝐊𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒.```\n_ _\n\n_ _\nThe lupine armored warrior at his side retrieved a blade from the hands of an O.S.A agent, kneeling to present it to her King. He took it up with his free hand and raised it to the sky above, looking up at its enchanted form.\n\n```\n\"𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐓.\"\n\"𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍.\"\n\"...𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒, 𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘.\"```\n\nHis voice quieted as he saw his own eyes in the reflection of the enchanted blade. For once, a morose expression surfaced on his face.\n\n```\n\"𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒐 𝑨𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒔.\"\n\"The Edge of Eternity.\"\n\"A ritual duel performed so we will never forget the conflict of two hundred years.\"\n\"So we will never forget the wounds we sustained. The allies we lost.\"\n\"...And the era of coexistence we once shared.\"```\n\nThe King bequeathed the blade back to the warrior who had just presented it to him, resting it in her outstretched, armored arms. As she takes it into her grasp and sheathes it into the empty scabbard at her side, the King himself reaches out his arm to her, as she pulls herself up to her feet. It takes only one finger for the tremendous figure of the King to raise her full weight. The wolven Medei warrior takes a step up the stairs to stand atop the stage of the arena, leaving her stood above and behind the King, its elevation enough to set her apart from him and above the entire crowd.\n\nHe stands before all the people of the crowd, in a clearing, surrounded by his entourage. \nBefore him, the King saw a sight he once believed he would never see again.\nMedei and humans, standing alongside eachother.\nIf it were him alone; if he had room to feel...\n_ _\n\nA forceful, arcane hum emits from the three-pronged spear as he twirls it with a single hand, its bright red flames streaking in the sky before him, before — `THOOM`* — he caught it in the clutch of one hand, perfectly horizontal ahead of himself, its spin stopped in a single momentous clasp.\n\n```\n\"𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.\"\n\n\"Whether human or a Medei, whether warrior or not...\"\n\"Step forward and fight.\"\n\"Feel the flame within.\"\n\"And with your SOUL lain bare, you will begin to understand.\"\n\"How it feels to stand upon the 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.\"```" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He's just been sitting on top of a building trying to heal from his burns, he then hears the king speak about this ritual duel, something that could maybe clear his head a bit.\n\n\"Honestly I'm not gonna even lie I was like two seconds away from just killing and eating someone again to heal a bit faster, but y'know what screw it, I have a blade that can shoot out of my arm and I'm not doing anything else, so why not.\"\n\nHe jumps down from the building he was landing on and lands on his feet, he just wonder's where the hell he needs to go, since he's pretty lost in this place." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "To Rift, the Medeian King appears to be much of the top three. He pauses his... Interesting transaction, giving ear to to the man as he announces his piece;\n\n`Certainly a display of power.` He notes, judging the interesting way of which this PSA was spoken aloud; many knights and guards upon his side. Truly, this is one well-protected individual. Of course, that is of no concern; having been in the company of royalty before, this seems par for the course, albeit a bit over the top for his more modest and plain taste.\n\nRift then pauses his deal entirely, leaving the piece of meat with the kebab seller as he fully rotates his body to face the direction of the booming voice of the man who donned the ancient crown and wielded the Ardens Caelum, a weapon he had only faintly heard of before. Yet, of course, he would soon be reminded of what Little He did know as the butt-end met with the ground, erupting in flame.\n\nAt the same time, the sword place upon Rift's hip gently glows a warm red hue, the retired knight placing a hand upon the hilt for but a moment, as if to quell its sudden outburst of the faintest of crimson. Leaving the fish and rabbits upon the kebab guy's stand, he closes his eyes and exhales, eyelids opening with renewed interest at the idea of the festival.\n\nFor someone who had enjoyed oh so quiet a retirement, only to be called upon once more many a month ago, this is certainly interesting...\n\nKeeping his hand upon his trusty blade Vilethorn's hilt, and removing his shield — the Aegis, as it was named many years ago - its forger quite the believer of interesting tales — from upon his back, The Weavecutter, champion of another world, savior to another, steps forward, accepting the challenge raised by the royalty in front of him. His partner is going to kill him when he has to clean all of this up later." } ]	681	4,715
359	2024-01-18	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena making it to hear the kings anouncement of a duel of some kind thought to herself \"Shit, that would be a good time to strike if i were i group of people lookin to attack a king, gotta find. White september? I think thats what Dioscuri said or my friends quick, which also means ima partake in the event.\" Running through the crowd towards the rooftop where they planned to meet up. She climbs up the ladder to see William there. \"Hey, serious talk. Forget the koi, have you seen anyone out of place here.\" As she stands next to him overlooking the festival grounds" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Watching over the ledge at the crowds below, he hears the sound of the ladder creaking. Drawing his revolver he aims it at the person coming up the ladder but upon seeing the beret of Athena he lowers his pistol and holsters, before even getting a word out to greet Athena, she cuts him off and stands next to him, \"No I haven't seen anyone out of place, all I've seen from up here is someone who might be ex-military and two people eating a kebab thing. Why, what's going on?\" Turning his attention to Athena and listening to what she has to say" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Well, she was about half right. It was practically impossible for Ha to react to how fast Kuouo was when he almost struck— even with a marginal increase in focus— and as such, she was certainly more startled by the sound of his voice as opposed to nearly slicing her into pieces with Infernium, having a slight jump and small gasp at his verbalized apology. That said, she did feel Salhaeja use her hand to lightly unsheathe itself in the event that he intent to land a hit, and then quickly return once the mistake was realized. He was not pleased, and began to question his own judgments regarding the farm animal. In fairness, defending ones ally from another, albeit reckless and haphazardly, was not innately unadmirable, and he had good reflxes. He was still mad, though, mainly because he said 'girlfriend' again. \n\n``\"—Oh! It's okay, I should've. . . Said something, been more clear. I assume Daniel is also here? You are both. . . Ok?\"`` Ha leaned against her planted sheath and inquired, assuming that Sal reported correctly on their whereabouts. She recalled that they were technically on the run after a mildly intense confrontation, hence asking about their condition. She also liked that saying— two devils, was it? Kuouo's speech remained unique to her. Of course, such train of thoughts was interrupted by the boisterous, magically enhanced and thus enticing announcement of the Medei King that she now had incentive to care about. Something about a thousand or so year old story, mountains and skys, this 'Margo Aeternitatis', culminating into a universal invitation into combat to all those at the festival gathering. That's about what she gathered audibly, and Sal confirmed this, though he still uncharacteristically spared no opinion on the king as an individual. That may change things, actually, given it was within her best interest according to her weapon to conceal her strength and abilities, not plaster it in front of others. Ha was not especially enthralled nor dis\n\nGusted at the idea of dueling others, but it did, in slights, attempt to piece together a time where she. . . Well, better not to dwell on that. It doesn't serve anyone well, and she had enough nightmares about it. \n\n``\". . .That sounds, well, interesting. . . Are you gonna join that? With the uh. . . Sea, fish?\"`` She turned back to Kuouo, as there was still some winces and inflections of pain in her tone that she struggled to hide. Ha was uncertain, but Sal commented that Kuouo seemed a likely participant. A thief wants more as he takes, and this holds undoubtedly true for one that has some obvious arrogance to his core character, not sparing some negative bias from Salhaeja. Daniel, he wasn't so sure, but they were good friends. What that meant for her and their undefined objective would be subject to change momentarily. She did wonder if this. . . Dueling, was perhaps an outlet to finding out why they were here. It seemed more like an investigation at this point. Maybe Sal should reconsider— she wouldn't say that, though." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "For awhile, Lily was just an observer, watching as the many events, the most prominent being the Spirit Koi hunt, were announced. She was still getting a bit used to this strange new world, the bustling and dreary cities and the weary towns, but so far nothing was too out of the ordinary. She merely stumbled upon the Festival by coincidence and decided to watch and observe, not like she had much else to do.\n\nThat was, until now, when a thundering figure came forth, led by this \"King of the Medei\", and she watched as others around her grew silent. Clearly, this was a figure to be respected... Or perhaps feared? He certainly held himself as great and powerful from her vantage point.\n\nShe watched in part awe and part terror as he spoke, his staff becoming a blood-red spear, as he spoke of a war long past.\n\nAh, so there was past turmoil upon these lands, interesting.\n\nShe had thought perhaps he was on the cusp of some sort of war speech or attack and so she subtely readied herself, gripping her staff, but what he said next was... Unexpected.\n\nA contest? Of strength but nonetheless. \n\nThe voice in her head purred.\n\n```\n\"You should partake, Lily. It might be a good way to ascertain the battle tactics of some whom this world has to offer. \"\n\n\n\n```\n\n\"Or a good way to get killed.\" , Lily replied back, mentally of course. Floriama was her trusted friend, and even a sort of motherly figure, but not all of her swathe and want for bloodshed had evaporated.\n\nStill, she was bored, and this could be a neat distraction from her current predicament.\n\nCautiously, she took a step forward through the crowds, staff in her hand.\n\n \"I accept the challenge, Oh Respected One.\" , she said firmly, taking her place alongside those who would too join. She could hear Floriama smirking." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Normally, in a moment of surprise, Dan would have immediately quick-drawn on the sound that came from behind them- That is, if he hadn't recognized the clanging of a certain weapon, with it's wielder accompanying it. He turned around, making a \"Tch\" Noise at Kuouo's comment, though still glad to see Ha alive and okay, at least by her own standards. Dan made his way over, cigarette between his fingers as always, nodding at her assumption of his presence and confirming he was alive and well. The announcement by the booming voice of the *MEDEI KING* Had caught his attention, but not entirely in a good way. Not only making your ego known to everyone, but inviting people to a bloodbath? Ugh. Maybe he wasn't all that bad, but that alone wouldn't be enough to bypass Daniel's passive hatred for high-ranking authority, be it King, President, Tzar, or whatever other dumb title one gave to themself. More like Egomaniac.\n\n```\n\"I s'pose I'd be willin' to join it. Seems like a good chance t' get at least one more good fight t' my name. Trigger finger's been itchin' ever since the boat...\"\n```\n\nHe trailed off as he finished his sentence, his eyes wandering around as he became lost in thought. Good chance to fight, or good chance of getting sacked... Just seemed like a manual way to implement natural selection to him. But, that wasn't a fair way to look at it, especially since he hadn't been given any reason to do so in that way. Even so, what did the Spirit Koi have to do with it? Would it have anything to do with it at all? There was a prize promised, but... Hm. Best not to think about it for now. Dan was sure it would come up eventually. For now, he was willing to give the benefit of the doubt." } ]	419	1,795
297.6	2024-01-20	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena still looking over the festival grounds sighs and says\n```\n\"Shame, we should head towards that event. I'll give you more details later but long story short is we found the Koi Fish and it started doin some weird stuff also the king might be in danger. We should keep this on the down low though as im not entirely sure and we wouldn't wanna cause a panic. It is just a hunch after all.\"\n```\nShe then thinks to herself, still keeping her main focus on the grounds below\n```\nThis festival sure is somethin alright, fun but unexpected suprises round every corner. Not that i mind of course\n\n```\nBefore turning her head towards William and saying\n```\n\"Any who, lets get a move on while you tell me about what went down with you, if anything went down at all. Dont wanna waste time sitting here when someone is in possible trouble, even if they are apart of a government or some king.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Keeping his attention on Athena, he listens to every word she says, especially about the koi and some kind of attack on the king. How the hell do they have the Koi if that goat guy has it? He thinks to himself. Opening his mouth he tells her what happened in the East, \"Well firstly there was this guy, I don't know his name, but he seems to have this kind of magic where he can control things he stopped and jammed my guns more than once and he has this arm cannon thing where he can shoot electricity and projectiles like my six shooter, but I noticed when I fought him that he has to maintain that focus and it seems he can be overwhelmed because he didn't block the bomb I threw up. And he's a yellow belly too. He stole my bayonet and Maxs hat and six shooter.\" William explains while looking around to see anything out of place, \"That goat guy, he's fast I mean really fast but he focuses on close fighting, he also has this kind of mortar where he shot a bike at me, so look out for that. He did get his ass beat by Max and i managed to get a shot on him so hes not impossible to hit or fight. He also has a friend, I think his name was Daniel if I remember correctly, he's an ex-soldier too and he wears some kind of armor, he took a point blank shot of my rifle into his chest, but he doesn't seem to care about tactical advantages, when he chased me into a building he stood infront of the doorway giving me a clean shot on him. He's slow so like a tank, but he carries two pistols, so carefully with that.\" William now looks back to his comrade, \"And lastly, there was this lady, she carried a sword like you do but she kept taking the ground and walking limply, I think something might be wrong with her eyes but i couldn't tell. Careful with her, I got a bad feeling about her.\" Saying that last part with a caring tone in his voice despite not wanting to show it. Raising his right hand into a salute he says, \"You're the boss\" And walks with her" }, { "author": "hambburger", "message": "Cicada had been walking for a while, trying to find the source of the announcement made by some \"King.\"\n\nThey eventually had settled on heading towards a parking garage to try and get a vantage point.\n\nI really can't believe there's no one else in he- Cicada's thoughts were cut right off as they turned the corner on one of the floors, suddenly being faced with three people standing next to each other, overlooking the King's announcement from the railing. Maybe I can ask if they're from around here, it'd be useful to get to know some people anyway... He thought to himself, whilst walking up to the three figures.\n\n\"Hey! You guys heard that announcement too?\" Cicada announced to the three figures standing together. It seemed as though they were discussing something together..." }, { "author": "melancholicdreams_", "message": "```\n\"I dunno, it'd prolly be a good idea to have someone hold ont' that while yer out fightin' fuckers.\" \n\n```\nHis face dropped upon seeing Kuouo's shattered phone screen, leading to him pulling his own out of his pocket and offering it up to him if he needed to make a text or call. He did understand the adrenaline surge of having something of such high value at stake, but for the lengths they went to to get it, it didn't seem worth it to lose it now, especially given that they hadn't received the rewards yet. \n\nHe took a long drag of his cigarette, before... Another set of footsteps. Not Ha's this time, that's for sure... Dan spun around, drawing his 1911 and pointing it immediately to where the echoes of footfalls seemed to have been produced. There stood a person, as expected, with bright white hair, green and blue colored streaks decorating the long, wavy hair. They were dressed casually, a hoodie and cargo pants, and they seemed to be armed as well. A scythe, two daggers, and a pistol, to be specific. \n\nDaniel lowered his pistol, raising an eyebrow at the figure before him, seemingly gauging them to be non-threatening. If they were here to attack... They would have by now. Might as well introduce himself...\n\n```\n\"Yeah, we heard the announcement... What're ya doin' up here, friend? Not t' be rude or anything, of course, but usually folks ain't wanderin' around a parkin' garage 'round this time.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "The now unstable shadow man has been wondering what his next course of action would be, upon seeing he was next to a dark alley, one of his eyes flickered like a lightbulb ready to go out, he then walked into it and as someone walked by it making sure they were alone and no one would see it, it thought about wrapping its hands around their head to snap their neck, but it decided against doing so, it then started to walk, it's skin was beginning to harden, its size changing, the blood dripping from it's mouth turning black, it still hungered, it still needed flesh." } ]	353	1,488
358.571429	2024-01-21	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena Carefully takes in everything William said and begins to ponder on the competition.\n\n```\nYellow Belly? What the hell could that mean, telekinesis and an arm cannon and likes to steal from the sounds of it, greedy bastard sounds like trouble even if he has that weakness with the focus or whatever. And that goat fellow, Fire Magic, fast and can has a mortar that as far as i'm now aware can shoot things out that are as big and heavy as a bike, should keep that in mind. As for the other two, they don't sound like that much trouble, Interesting.\n\n```\n\nShe then heads towards the ladder motioning for William to follow by waving her hand, saying \n\n```\n\"You don't have to salute, call me boss or follow my suggestions. We are friends, not military buddies and like i said these are suggestions not orders, you dont have to follow them. On another note the biggest threat from the sounds of it is that magical yellow belly, what ever that means thief, but if we find max and find and team up with the magic purple haired leader wanna be, i say we would have a decent chance against this foe and as for the goat, might be a bit of trouble but should be fair fight. The other two don't seem like that much trouble, from the sounds of it at least. This will be fun, also where the fuck did you get a bomb, and both you and max got stolen from? Welp, we will get your guys stuff back when we get the chance now lets get going to the arena, I'll lead the way and thanks for the info.\"\n\n```\n\nShe proceeds to slide down the ladder and starts heading towards the arena." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Following Athena down the ladder, he stayed silent thinking about what to say until he opened his mouth when they both reached the bottom, \"Athena, you don't know much about me and while I am grateful for you saving my life when I appeared here, in my life I can't afford friends. Truthfully my last true friend died in 1924, it'll take some getting use to but I'll quit with the salute, but i do consider you and the group comrades so i guess friends. \" While speaking he reaches into his coat and adds, \"Here I also got this sweeper for you, you got 5 rounds of 12 gauge and the barrel been cut off, at a distance it won't be much use but up close its best thing one can have.\" He grips it by the receiver and hands it to her grip first. He's now following her close behind, keeping his rifle close while his hand is still ready to grip his revolver at a moment notice" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Participants are selected and sorted. The Custos Regni Flock about the stage, through them passing-between O.S.A agents, each making preparation for the duel to come: some transport cases carrying specialized, enchanted weapons, items, and trinkets; others prepare spells that are ingrained into the foundation of the arena itself; still others attend their paperwork, a number of legal ramifications prepared for ahead of time. Spectators are gathered in concentric seating all around the arena, as the selected participants are gathered close to the foot of the stage.\n\nFollowing a long period of wait, the Captain of the Custos Regni rises to the summit of the great stage, her voice projecting all across the general proximity as she spoke:\n\n *\"ATTENTION!\"\n\"All participants of the Festival of Convergence, make ready for the beginning of the __Margo Aeternitatis__!\"\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\nIn sync, the Custos Regni* Again slam their spears against the ground, the reverberation of their impact resounding all around the arena. The King, now withdrawn to an elevated position, oversaw the arena, the spectators, and the participants from a hollow marble throne, __*Ardens Caelum__ burning in scarlet hue within the clutch of his right hand.\n_ _\n\nTHUMP THUMP.\nTHUMP THUMP.\n\n \"THE MARGO AETERNITATIS—\"\n\"...Is a historical Medeian duel—\n\"—and a ritual battle between two interlinked SOULS!\"\n\nTHUMP. CLASH!\n\nThe tall and fully-armored Medei representing the Custos Regni* As Captain is approached by several of her subordinates, each equipped with various weapons: a sword, a shield, a spear, a bow, and a staff each.\n\n *\"IT IS A BATTLE BETWEEN STRENGTH OF BODY—\"\n\"...Strength of mind...\"\n\"...And strength of SOUL!\"\n\n \"AND IT IS A BATTLE—\"\n\"...That transcends the limitations of a mundane world—\"\n\"—a battle of true strength: of both Will and character!\"\n\nFlourishing the glittering cobalt spear of magicka in her right hand, the Captain of the Guard beckons the participants to step forward.\n\n\"Before you step into the ring, you'll be healed right up by the Royal Physician.\"\n\"Consider it an honor of a lifetime, chumps!\"* —she lightly thrust the edge of her spear toward them.\n_ _\n\nThe onyx-feathered avian Medei stepped forward, bowing lightly: the Royal Physician, in the flesh. Were any to step up to him, he would offer them advanced, fast-working healing: a true marvel of Medeian magic, one cast by the one who held the honor of holding a lofty position amidst the Regni Medeas. They would be granted a moment to acclimate and to hear her elaborate upon the rules of combat — the code, the Regulae Pugnae — for the Margo Aeternitatis.\n\n\"...Hmph.\"\n\"Some of ya look more familiar than I'd like to say...\" —she commented, squinting at one behind her regal helmet, yet not pressing the matter further.\n*\"...IN ANY CASE!\"\n\n—she swung her spear outward, its razor-sharp edge gliding just beyond the brows of the contestant, as she snapped back to the matter at hand, swaying her weapon in a motion for their complete attention.\n\n \"THE RULES ARE ABSOLUTE—\"\n\"And I won't repeat myself, so listen up!\"\n_ _\n\n__\"ONE!!!\"__\n\"THE DUEL ENDS WHEN ONE COMBATANT IS RENDERED INCAPACITATED OR FORFEITS!\"\n\"BUT! DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELVES WITHHOLDING YOUR FULL POWER!\"\n\"Anyone at threat of death will be protected by the spell on the Arena and—\"* She shifted toward one of the knights at her side, retrieving a bangle from their grip. *\"The enchanted equipment provided by the Royal Family!\"\n\"The Margo Aeternitatis Is a duel and show of one's true power and resolve! That makes holding back an insult to the tradition! SO YOU'LL BE FIGHTING AT FULL STRENGTH, UNDERSTAND?!\"\n\"In any case, if you're too weak to hold your wounds, you'll be healed by the Royal Physician... AGAIN!\"\n\n\"And speaking of the equipment...\"\n\n __\"TWO!!!\"__\n\"ENCHANTED EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN WEAPONS!\"\n\"For each weapon you have that is NOT SUPPLIED By the tournament, your opponent will be granted ONE ENCHANTED WEAPON Of their choice!\"\n\"If you're unarmed to begin with, you're also eligible.\"\n\"You ARE ALLOWED to switch up your choice of weapons between duels! You're also free to forfeit what weapons are your own between matches, 'f you wish to use the equipment of the Tournament.\"\n\n\"As for your weapons, your options are as such... Each taken from the Royal Armory.\"\n\"If you're not feeling honored yet, you sure as hell should now.\"\n_ _\n\nTHE SWORD.* A simple shortsword that coalesces the energy of one's SOUL* Into physical power. Its power output is balanced between all users; its ability to employ that power is entirely dependent on the willingness of its user to employ it. An identical longsword variation also exists.\n\nTHE SHIELD.* A buckler that reinforces one's spiritual energy in the form of a powerful shield. May be activated once every other turn. As is for the sword and all other equipment, the strength of this shield is incredible, fixed between users, merely requiring willpower to bring the most out of it.\n\nTHE BOW. An arrowless bow that forges shards of magic from the output of a SOUL, hurling them as potent projectiles.\n\nTHE SPEAR. A weapon with no unique qualities in a vacuum. Its true purpose is to shatter the guard of the all-powerful Shield and other impassable defensive spells: a niche, but potent weapon.\n_ _\n\n__*\"THREE!!!\"__\n\"ONCE YOU'RE ON THE ARENA GROUNDS...\"\n\"It's a battle of the SOULS, understand?!\"\n\"Can't explain it to someone who hasn't felt it before. But your SOUL's the real swing behind this battle, Understand?!\"\n\"The stronger-willed will win. The weaker-willed will lose. SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND, RIGHT?!\"\n\n __\"FINALLY!\"__\n\"SINGLE ELIMINATION! BEST OF ONE! YOU LOSE, YOU'RE OUT!!! NO WHINING FROM LOSERS! AND I BETTER NOT SEE ANY BAD SPORTS! I'LL KICK YOUR ASS MYSELF!\"\n\n\"And with that, I think I've done enough explaining.\"\n\"TIME TO FIGHT, CHUMPS! GET UP THERE AND GO!!!\"\n\n_ _\nAs the Captain of the Custos Regni roars out an announcement, the crowd echoes a howl of cheer in response. The concentric seating is filled with numerous spectators — those of Medeikind and humanity alike — each watching with bated breath as the contestants step upon the stage of the Margo Aeternitatis.\n\nBesides those the festivalgoers had already acquainted themselves (those of the primary group that had already acquainted themselves earlier), there seemed to be several other challengers approaching the foot of the stage. In their midst is..." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "...A black-scaled lizardlike Medei, a long tail flowing from his gold-accented cloak, a commingling of deterministic fire and slyness in his eyes..." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "...A fae-eared woman, mischievous in appearance and light on each step..." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "...And an austere-seeming magician, permeated by an aura of intense focus as keen and distinct as his pure-black irises." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "\|\|\n\nThe Royal Physician stood before Gryphon, her being one of the several participants. While he offered most other of the participants healing, to Gryphon herself, he would not extend the offer — she had not been in combat prior to the event. Her concerns might have been answered just by the implication of him not offering to assist. However, upon any further prompting—\n\n`\"My apologies,\"`* The Medei of ink-black feathers, bowed his head lightly, his voice clear, fully-articulate, refined, and of a pleassantly-smooth, middle-pitched resonance.\n\n`\"Aged wounds are not within my capability to heal.\"`\n\nSo it was. His incapability to heal her eye clearly communicated, he would make no attempt to do so." } ]	160	2,510
271.7	2024-01-22	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She gave a nod, brushing her hair firmly out of her face. Very well then- that simplified things.\n\"Of course.\"\nThis was probably for the best, of course. Her eye should heal naturally... Risking any healing magic interfering with her abilities would be reckless. She wasn't a reckless kind of person. She gave the physician a quiet thanks and apology for taking his time, and turned to return to her assigned arena. She should be able to handle herself perfectly fine with her vision as it was." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"WATCH YOURSELF.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha allowed Kuouo to guide her near the ledge where he and Daniel had settled— to the vocal dismay of her sword— and was suddenly able to feel a soggy, messy texture in the palm of her hand. What it actually was had not been explained to her, but he claimed it would make her feel better. Despite its perceivable unpleasantness in terms of how it felt, she had no reservations against consuming the item. The only thing that mattered was if she trusted Kuouo enough in his statement and offer to actually eat it, which Salhaeja, naturally, raised some concerns about. However, he Also Admitted that he'd have no reason to do so circumstantially, and that she could benefit from having food in her stomach. Furthermore, Medei food, from what he understood, had some properties to it that transcended the simplicity of sufficing minimal malnutrition. She had not had any breakfast this morning, nor stopped for anything at the festival, albeit she still wasn't especially hungry. Sometimes, she just forgot to eat.\n\nHa quietly bowed her head as to display gratitude toward Kuouo, and lifted. . . What felt like, some sort of bread with a sort. . . Sauce, or rub, up to her face in order to take a small nibble. She became slightly distracted by the sensation of flavor; it tasted unlike anything she'd had in her homeland, nor anything she'd consumed since returning here— granted, her diet mostly consisted of ramen and chocolate, and it wasn't so much that it was delicious that it was. . . Unique. Fortunately, Salhaeja would insist on listening in onto the conversation as she somewhat separated herself from reality. The blade immediately reiterated that Ha's question was a good one, but she wasn't one for personal validation. It could almost sense the gears in Kuouo's head turning, and mentioned that his phone was destroyed in the mayhem of their previous entanglement. He was a little surprised Daniel was so willing, though. Upon addressing her directly again, she turned her head with\n\nHer mouth still glued to the wonderous bread roll. Sal would remind her of their actual purpose regarding their presence at this festival, one that she conceptually did not want to attend. Her general distaste for events like this had become irrelevant.\n\n``\"Ohm—\"`` She spoke with her mouth full, unintentionally disregarding basic table manners, not that anyone would care much. ``\". . .Wellt, I— hve antheor matta to deale wit-\"`` It wasn't too difficult to transcribe her words, as she slowly swallowed and lowered the bread roll against her planted sword. ``\"But. . . Perhaps I could hold. . . The fish, since you need someone to. If that is okay with you?\"`` Of course, said fish did not interest her, but Salhaeja insisted she inquire, excluding reason. Kuouo's assumptions now meant nothing, although she did find them curious. It was then another character arrived at the scene, which startled Daniel. It concerned the announcement; Sal would state that this person was of no momentary consequence." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo had nodded once in appreciation of Daniel's offer, taking the phone from his palm and swiping towards the phone app. He dialed one out of two numbers — both of which could contact someone Kuo held dear and trusted with his life besides Daniel — The first was an assassin with the ability to clone herself and make capture of the Koi perhaps even more troublesome. The phone rang and rang as Kuo envisioned entrusting the fish to the introverted, edgy-dressed, girl that he considered the love of his life...\n\n```\n\"Baking Cheesecake. Call back later.\" But the deadpan voice message, after 10 rings, indicated that she was currently out on a job. The repair payments on top of a debilitating mortgage didn't pay for themselves after all.\n```\n\nAfter a heavy sigh, with the bandit moreso disappointed he didn't get to drag Raven into his shenanigans, he dialed the second number. A little girl, with the ability to ghost-ify herself and summon creatures from the fiery depths to defend her, was all grown up now. The phone rang twice as the bandit envisioned Lulu cheering him on, mixed with pangs of worry after each blow Kuo didn't manage to dodge..." }, { "author": "DIPSKI", "message": "\"Hey. What's good. Can I help you with your car's extended warr-\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Instead of going to voicemail, the demonic voice tormented the bandit through the phoneline, causing him to crunch his face up in cringe and disgust. That was a sure sign that Lulu was busy in the realm of Hell, and for whatever reason, whenever he called down there, demonic imps and the like hijacked the call.\n\n```\n\"Gaggh, fuckin' dammi-\"\n\n```\n\nSuddenly, the roles had been reversed with Daniel taking the forefront and aiming the pistol at a casually dressed stranger in the defense of their group. Kuouo put his paw on the hilt of his dagger, but then squinted his eyes. He didn't seem too intent on capturing the Koi — At least, from what the bandit could indicate through his body language. \"Yeah, looks like those duels are gonna be down that-a-way.\" Kuouo pointed at the Medei King's ceremony over the ledge, just as Kuo caught Ha proposing an interesting idea.\n\n```\n\"You'd hold the fish?\" Kuouo asked, his head curiously tilting to the side from Ha's sudden proposal. Kuouo, reading the tone of her voice and candid movements, failed to see any malicious intent from her — Although, he refused to read a book by its cover. The bandit had just met Ha one other time; for a fraction of a moment, they exchanged quick introductions and banter before Kuouo's own chaos descended on the Navis Auri... However, it's not like he had much of a choice. Daniel's words earlier struck a damage-control resounding chord in Kuo's mind and led him to ruminate over the battle between logic and the ferocity in Kuouo's SOUL beckoning him to the arenas. Eventually though, in-between the quick tug of war, the bandit found himself pulling out a mental file from...\n```\n\n```\n\"Well, no offense to yer character, but we only just met. If ya wanna hold the fish for me, I oughta make an insurance policy.\" Kuouo held out his dominant paw. From the wrist down, it was engulfed in an especially radiant and yellow flame that distinctly lacked any heat. \"If ya shake my hand, ye'll be makin' a soul-bound vow t' me that you'll return the Koi fish to me by the end of the tournament — 'less ya gets robbed through-and-through. Any funny business, however...\" \n\n```\n\n```\nThe bandit smirked, \"I get t' take yer cool ass sword! And in return, I make a vow t' steal whatever ya have yer eyes set on after the festival.\" The bandit took an impatient step forward, \"Don't have much time before the Margo Aeternitatis gets goin', so we better get goin' before the fights start! It'sa fair deal, so get t' shakin'! And don't ya dare lose the fish t' one of these losers out here!\" The bandit closed his eyes with a disheveled, yet charming smile. More than eager to be offered a chance to cut his cake and eat it, too.\n\n```" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would have accepted the Shotgun and concealed it under her trenchcoat, saying nothing until they reached the area where she would wish William good luck as he approached the arena. She would sit on the sidelines Observing each battle. She would pay more attention to the battle between Rift Castaway and Reed Calderon then any of the other battles when the battle actually begins, She would in the meantime cheer on her friends who were in the arena. Watching William get his ass beat was disappointing but to be expected with most people here being used to more modern tactics of fighting and having more knowledge on magic and stuff, yet she still cheered him on. She would also notice Max enter the arena, he looked bigger then normal and a bit scary but badass with those bones or whatever protruding out of his back, She would also cheer him on despite nothing happening yet." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "ERUPTS WITHIN WILLIAM AND GRYPHON'S SECTION OF THE ARENA,* \nAs, for the first time in these series of duels, The true nature of the Margo Aeternitatis Is revealed — what a battle between SOULs Truly implies. Shall he turn the tides of battle in the face of this new power? Will his opponent reciprocate this show of power?\nOnly time will tell.\n\n\"THE WINNER OF THE DUEL IS DECIDED! GRYPHON CONTINUES THROUGH HER BRACKET TO FIGHT...\"*\n\n...The Captain pauses. `Damn, this guy?`\n\n \"...KUOUO AICHE DEE!\"" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\". . .FINE. ACCEPT IT.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha's general reaction to Kuouo's proposal and sudden intensity was. . . Very nil, in comparison, much likewise to idly watching him fail to contact multiple individuals that did not presently matter, almost as if it were delayed. She was simply not capable of reciprocating his energy and enthusiasm at any level, whereas the vow itself was reiterated by Salhaeja to be a cautious way of ensuring she did not attempt and keep the fish— the term 'insurance policy' was foreign to her, naturally, but she more or less understood why he was doing this. Trusting her or not was entirely irrelevant, and yet, the blade acknowledged it'd be wiser not to. It also Dreaded* The idea of being in Kuouo's possession for even a fraction of a second, albeit the deal specified that it being stolen excluding penalty, and it knew that its beholder was not one for malicious intention; as a matter of fact, she was rarely one for any kind of Intent At all, especially in relation to said fish. The plausibility of becoming a target was another subject, though. \n\nNevertheless, risks evaluated and put aside, Ha just sort of. . . Blinked at him behind her shades, not moving so much as a muscle nor overtly reacting to his impatient movements and pressure applied towards the latter end of his explanation. He did have good reason, granted: his name was now being called to combat, as pointed out by the weapon. She briefly looked down at her sword, then back at Kuouo, no more expressive than she was normally. She nodded with a quaint smile, not unsimilar to any she'd conceived previously, and reached her right hand out, removing it from the sheathed blade— the bread roll remained in her left grip. In the same motion, she used the sleeve of her Nyan Cat shirt to rub her mouth off the crumbs of the pastry she consumed, and then placed her palm onto the paw of the Medei. She considered that it may've possibly been painful, but then remembered pain was her Whole Life, speaking physically, and Sal a\n\nDded, knowing her well, that it would not be intentional on his end. That was not a concern she had the means of worrying about.\n\n``\"Oh— that's you, isn't it? I wish you. . . Good luck! And Daniel, as well.\"`` She would add. The winner of this 'dueling' event should've proved useful information to Sal, she figured. \"Aiche Dee\". . . That name fascinated her. Very unique, fittingly." } ]	163	2,717
455.5	2024-01-23	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Daniel frowned as each of Kuouo's contacts didn't pick up the call, looking slightly disheartened until Kuouo brought up his master plan. Looking solemnly out over the ledge as he heard Kuouo's name echo across the city, he turned back to him with an ever so slightly worried look in his eyes. He wasn't quite looking forward to the duels, but he wasn't going to back down either. Silently, he lit a cigarette and watched as he and Ha made their deal, nodding in approval at Kuouo's willingness to part with it. If it meant that it was kept safe, Dan wouldn't have any objections. As for the new occupant of their group, Dan was slightly skeptical, but that was just in his nature. He was right, people aren't usually just wandering in parking garages, but he seemed trustworthy enough.\n\n```\n\"Thanks fer the good luck wishes. Keep that fish safe, y'hear? We come this far, no point t' losin' it now.\"\n```\n\nKuouo was right. It was time to get going soon, as they had just called his name, and an announcer had just called Dan's own name not too long before that. How did... Whatever. Best not to think about it before now. If they had the power to somehow know he was going to join without hearing it from him, it seemed more of a good idea not to pry into it." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\nKuouo smiled as the two gripped each other's palms, sealing the deal. The fire instantly increased in temperature for a split second, morphing into fiery knot that managed to singe both of their hands. The two were now magically bound to their oaths as Kuouo's name echoed throughout the streets of the festival, bellowed by the Captain of the Guard. His eye twitched — How did they even know that he was going to join the damn thing!? Must've been that foresight bastard — But it mattered not. The bandit smirked, \"Thanks, but I won't need it.\" He cockily smirked, his voice oozing with an almost-ignorant confidence. \"But, good luck t' ya too! Keep that fish safe or else!\" He playfully threatened, scooping Daniel up bridal style once more and approaching Cicada. \"Y'oughta get down t' the duelin' arenas too. Ya don't wanna be late like me an' Daniel 'ere, daheh!\" \n```\n\nAnd off the bandit goes with his best friend bobbing up and down in his grasp, leaping off the ledge without a fear in the world as they made their way to the Margo Aeternitatis.\n\n```\nBy the time the bandit arrived to his arena, Daniel had already been set down at the entrence of the event. Making his way through the arena, he managed to lock eyes with the captain. A moment of tense, disgruntled silence between the two electrified the air, suddenly interrupted by a handful of kebab skewers thrown at the bandit's face by a crowd of booing Medei. The bandit clenched his paws, fire erupting from his breath, \"YER ASSES ARE LUCKY YER UP IN THE STANDS 'R ELSE I'D COOK YA ALIVE!\"\n\n```\n\n```\nHe shot a fireball at the bundle of skewers on the ground, disintegrating them instantly before crossing his arms in a huff. Grinding his teeth at having to reap the infamy he's sown, the bandit eventually stepped up to the zone he was assigned to, awaiting his opponent to finish their recovery. In the meantime, he flagged down the Royal Physician, waving his paw up into the air and crudely yelling, \"Yo doc! Lemme get my horns fixed up before I step in, will ya?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Upon being beckoned by one of the to-be participants, the corvine Medei approached, upright and long in stride, both winged arms folded behind his back. He took some part surprise in the audience's reaction, and some part understanding — altogether, however, for one holding a royal position, the Physician seemed rather indifferent towards Kuouo's infamy himself. He took his position as a healer as eminent above all, forming no personal prejudices one way or another.\n\n A faint, white mana glowed within his irises, the Royal Physician placing two claws to his beak as he examined Kuouo more carefully. Most other participants had only suffered minor contusions, some moderate-to-major bruisings, lacerations, contusions, burns, and gunshot wounds; the bandit's was the first of an entirely-missing extremity.\n\n`\"Hmm... You're not in the best condition,\"` He commented, though that was rather self-evident. `\"Signs of shortscale regeneration via mana replenishment are evident, but incomplete... You've tried healing yourself with a rather hearty meal, have you?\"`\n\nThe healer nodded, the mana within his eyes fading as he completed his brief examination. His finger swiped up, diagonally down, to the right, curling in toward the center, then forward — he was tracing a rune — as mana swirled thinly at his fingertips, the spell concluding with the appearance of a large glass vial of a clumpy, meal-like white powder. Seeing as Kuouo had lost his horns at this very festival, it still remained within his domain to heal, and thus heal it he would. Magic swirled into a rush of small, glimmering, free-floating white stars of mana that hovered just beyond his clawed fingertips: a more elaborate variation on a simple magic spell, tremendously fast-acting and enough even to replace entirely-absent pieces of a Medei's body. The powder swirled through the air and perfused the site of the wound, and, conjoined with the spell, made Kuouo's horns whole once more. \n\n`\"It's not perfect,\"` He commented, squinting tightly at the luster of the horns; they were neither the exact same color nor exactly the same shape as Kuouo's horns were before, `\"But your body should accept them. Now...\"`\n\nWith a finger hovering just beyond Kuouo's forehead and between both horns, the Royal Physician muttered a short spell, permeating Kuouo's entire body with a fast-working regenerative magic spell. The mana-suffusion was enough to grant a natural wholeness back to his horns, and even served to regenerate both the lingering wounds he was and was not aware of throughout his body.\n\n`\"That will conclude your treatment. Your battle awaits you.\"`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\n\"More than hearty I suppose, I can eat anyone outta house and home if I had th' chance.\" Kuouo beamed, patting his rather sturdy abdomen. The bandit's pupils followed the corvine's clawed digit, slightly swirling his head around a bit just before the spell was finalized. Presto! The Medeian physician had worked their magic, returning Kuouo's horns to a newfound glory. Kuouo locked his eyes upward, exploring his re-grown horns with his paws and tapping the tip of them with his index finger. Sharper and sturdier than ever. With a confident smile on his face, Kuouo pat the royal physician on the shoulder. \n```\n\n```\n\"'Ppreciate it, doc! Horns don't ever stay the same throughout life, so y'oughta just go with the flow, daheh!\" Turning to step towards the arena, Kuouo glanced back at the doctor and tapped his chin. \"Now if you could only do the same for a motorcycle... Ah well, whatever. Later!\" And so the bandit, now fully regenerated, faced the opposite side of the arena, awaiting lady luck's decision on the simple coin toss.\n```" } ]	454.5	1,822
346	2024-01-25	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"WE MUST BEGIN. YOU WILL BE HUNTED.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "There were a number of questions to be asked, and numerous concerns to be brought up. Why on earth would Salhaeja actively place a Target On Ha's back? After all of the precautions they've taken thus far? The emphasis on remaining concealed, so much as to avoid the dueling competition? The fish was not anymore important now than it was before, other then the fact that it originally belonged to what was ultimately a stranger with some level of competence— there wasn't enough data observed to deem it worth the potential trouble. It's not like Kuouo asked her for a favor; she was Told To ask for it. It wasn't her responsibility, presumably did not need to be, nor did it have any remote benefits that mattered, and now it was, which made the discretion that Sal so coveted much more tedious, perhaps even impossible. Purely, this course of action as instructed by the blade existed as a blunt contradiction. There was no logic, no line of reasoning that did not almost entirely undo what they've established, and at that, jeopardized their intentions. So, why? Did he realize something? Did he realize he was Wrong About something?\n\nHa did not so much as think about any of that, and obviously would not bother to verbalize concerns that didn't exist in her mind. She rarely did— once a general of freedom fighters, filled to the brim with blistering courage and vigor, now turned into a literally blind soldier beckoning at the commands of a non-tangible spirit. A fall from grace, except there was never anything graceful about it. Upon hearing instruction, she nodded unemphatically, and then turned around, firmly placing both hands on her sheathed blade. With all the might she could physically muster, practically putting her entire body weight into it given her lack of strength, the swordswoman lifted her weapon, and then tossed it across the parking garage from where she stood, intent on getting it Outside. The moment it was thrown, the blade would glimmer with\n\nPurple hue that was mildly bright as indicate an ACTIVE ABILITY, albeit lasting for merely a second or two— and then seemingly catapulted Out Of her sheath, exiting the interior of the garage with considerable speed. Notably, it rather suddenly decelerated it's momentum once within reasonable parameters of the the outdoors, and then simply fell to the ground below them as if a mishandled kitchen knife. She was on the sixth floor, so it wasn't a dangerously high drop, and irregardless, it managed to avoid landing on anyone directly within the massive crowd, particularly in a section separate from the King for obvious reasons. \n\nHa softly groaned, grabbing her left shoulder and planting the plausibly empty sheath onto the floor with purpose. That hurt, didn't it? She sat herself down immediately, sliding her right hand down the brunt of the sheath, while her left still attended her shoulder. Sal instructed her to do this for whatever reason, and most likely due to how painful it visibly was, the swordswoman entered what was a mild shake, twitching back and forth. There was a slight glimmer beneath her shades, likewise to the purple hue of her sword, but it shortly faded. It was in her best interest to remain oblivious." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "*`A glitter, ephemeral, sifts through the crowds of the Festival.`\nA fragment of a star's light clings to one's form as they walk amidst dim-lit city-streets, her destination toward the center of it all: the Margo Aeternitatis." }, { "author": "- \"Sable\" -", "message": "A woman clad in black cloth accented with dull-gold.\nHer hair, an ashy black. Her eyes, a bright gold.\nA smoky mana trailed in her wake.\n\nShe walked the trail of starlight, herself carrying a fragment of light hovering aglow at her right shoulder. An ephemeral trail of spirits:\nThe Spirit-Koi's trail.\n\nThough the duels had begun, the Hunt had not yet ended. The caliginous sorcerer still followed its trail, sifting beyond the crowd of the Festival and the audience of the duel toward a solitary target.\n\n`- -`\n\nSalhaeja may have noticed it as an approaching shard of light, far in the distance.\nSalhaeja may have observed a break in the crowd as one pushed amidst them.\nSalhaeja may have spotted the golden glimmer of one's irises, breaking the dark and peering singularly in their direction.\nSalhaeja may have heard the unnatural flow of air that proceeded her, her presence passively shifting the atmosphere in her adumbral aura.\nSalhaeja may have sensed the presence of a peculiar magical energy, openly in-flow amidst a crowd of spectators and nonparticipants.\n\nSalhaeja may not have seen the magician herself, but there were many ways it could portend her coming.\n\n__`𝐒𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊.`__\n\nCLAP.\n_ _\n\nIn a flash of smoke, in a shimmering of light, that black-clad magician manifest from the shadows, her footsteps softly trailing into existence toward Ha on the sixth floor of the parking garage. With Salhaeja* Gone, all she could hear was the sorcerer's coming: the echo of her footfalls across the concrete pillars, and the subtle smell of ash that clung to her form. Her mana shifted the atmosphere around her subtly, smoke trailing and thinly dispersing from the cloth of her robe and her hair, a fragment of a star's light shimmering just behind her and a trail of ephemeral mana left in her wake. \n\nWith a motioning of her hand, candlelight illuminated her surroundings, small licks of flame sputtering into existence as her pale-gold mana gave them form.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"You surrendered your weapon.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"Is the Koi not important to you?\" :: •☽```\n\n—she questioned, her arms folded as she continued to approach Ha. Her voice was clear and decisive, on the lower end, and with a subtle accent that was hard to single out. Her footsteps grew closer, before stopping, just a small distance from Ha herself.\n\n`Tap.`\n\nIf she did not reject Sable, she would place two fingers to Ha's forehead, following any answer or absence thereof.\nFive seconds would count down from that moment until she stole the *Koi." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Flying over — or, well, not really Flying* But, floating at a decent speed, Gold enters from the East.\n\nYes, while others like Max, Kuouo, or William had immediately left- Gold had Lingered, accomplishing a few tasks of his own separate from that of the rest of the hunters. If only his enemies had been a bit more Thorough With their search in the conquest against him, they Might Just have found what they were looking for.\n\nOf course, atop his head was ~~Max's~~ His Signature hat, and tucked away in his belt was, of course ~~William's~~ his trusty bayonet, that which never leaves his side, naturally.\n\nContinuing on his way, he aims to completely bypass the center altogether —\n\nBut that isn't what happens.\n\nSomething strikes him out of the corner of his eye\n\nA Mana trail That seemed oh-so-familiar, and... The Fish... Swiftly scouring the area, Gold looks for any signs of people he'd already made angry, finding nothing.\n\n`Well, then.` Engaging might Just Be the more lucrative option here.\n\nGold descends nearby, carefully watching the exchange that was about to go down for an opening. An Opportunity To continue on his Own Quest... Waiting With his hand in his pocket, and Palm Gun Adorned upon his hand should someone attempt to suddenly strike him. \"'s a fancy piece o' glass y' got there.\" He speaks, directing his words towards Sable, lifting his hand to reveal the glowing palm of the activator, itself letting out a small Ckccheeeeew As it whirs to life." } ]	364	1,730
274.5	2024-01-31	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena notices William wake up having a revolver aimed towards her before he puts it back down. As he puts his coat and tie on, She says\n\n```\n\"How do we always find ourselves in this situation, A Little nostalgic of how we met isn't it. Anyways don't worry about winning, it wasn't the point of participating anyways. The battle was really entertaining either way, You did a great job.\"\n```\n\nShe then looks at him and says\n\n```\n\"Are you ok though?, Sounds like you had another one of those nightmares.\" \n\n```" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "\"Huh oh, yeah just another nightmare that's all. Don't worry about it.\" He responds trying to hide his true feelings in his voice, shifting his weight on his legs he goes into a more comfortable stance and says \"I don't really remember how we first met that well, remember I was bleeding with a gunshot wound in my shoulder and I also shot your micro thing. Whatever you called it.\" William gives a slight smile to the memory" }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "Sable, without turning, perceived the oncoming attack before it had even arrived — the Palm Gun whirring and its bolt oncoming; Gold's own hostility on open display. The candlelights about her flickered, but did not waver entirely, before the beam had collided, and the sorcerer visibly flinched, seeking to dodge the attack. Yet as she shifted her weight upon her right leg, the step became clumsy as she winced, her golden eyes tightening as she briefly turned to Gold, failing to move as reactively as she desired. The Palm Gun's attack collides with her upper-back before she presses her hands together, dissipating into smoke and vanishing before the onset of lightning descended upon her.\n\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Ver𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦...!\" :: •☽```\n`CLAP.`\n`Sputter.`\n_ _\n\nThe flames now waver and Sable remanifests amidst the crowd of the Festival, within them taking cover and between them passing-through to chase after Ha. The impact of the Palm Gun against her back had left her staggered and bruised but not severely injured, her persistent passive mana-reinforcement serving much to protect her otherwise fragile body. \n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Je bent even ongewenst als dat je een dwaas bent...\" :: •☽```\n\nShe muttered, scoffing beneath her breath. The small licks of flames like candlelight — four in number — hover in a scattered formation around her, each independently flying at a moderate jogging-pace through the air far beyond her. One notedly pursues in the direction after Ha, its golden light flaring, brightly, as though to sharply illumine a path toward her. The Koi's trail was fresh; Ha was fast, but under the right circumstances, the golden-eyed sorcerer may well be faster. She takes a quick step forward with her left foot, then a slower with her right, shifting her weight softly upon the leg as she sifted through the crowd, irises aglow as she sensed the presences of all around her — the crowd, in their indifference —, behind her — Gold, in his heat —, and ahead of her — Ha, in her flight. \n\nThe density of the crowd around her served much to protect her from ranged attacks from Gold and also to slow the movement of DOUBLE* As it seeked to slow her down. Yet as the blade came close, Sable tightened her eyes, in a moment sharply focused on the oncoming blade, and as it took a poke at her, she grabbed its handle tight — tight as she could — a fiery mana flaring off the surface of her palm.\n\n*```asciidoc\n☾• \"Ga weg.\" :: •☽```\n\nThe fiery mana consumes the entire blade, before it dissipates entirely into smoke.\nForced teleportation.\nThe blade remanifests at one of Sable's set runes — behind Gold. It would likely not attack or even pose a threat to him, yet it would take DOUBLE* Out of the equation entirely." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The magician continues to pursue hard after Ha, her pace now picking up. They grew closer to the duel-grounds. They grew closer to the *Margo Aeternitatis* And perhaps would be visible to its spectators and the staff tending it, the Custos Regni including it. They grew closer to one of the three paths that all the participants of the Koi Hunt saw at its inception: the southward path, one that led down the descent of a metro-tunnel further south than the duels themselves. This posed two new concepts for each of the three to keep in mind: one, they were being watched, carefully, presided over by both the O.S.A and the Custos Regni to ensure they would not disrupt the crowd; two, there was perhaps an escape route for Ha in the metro tunnels below, one which she might able to lose her pursuers within." } ]	173	1,098
189	2024-02-19	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "*\"THE WINNER OF THIS DUEL IS DECIDED!\"\n\nA tense and long battle meets its final end as only one of the participants rises to their feet following the great crescendo of the battle.\n\n \"AND ITS VICTOR IS: DANIEL SMITH!\"" }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "A blue light shines under the water near the remains of the Navis Auri, and just as suddenly as it appeared it is gone like a boat lost to sea on the other side of the Navis Auri then where Manolo appeared. Sasori Swims upward, Grabbing Yin as he does. When he emerges from the water, he catches his breath and swims towards the edge of the man made lake and climbs up it and onto land. He places Yin down and looks around seeing a place unfamiliar to him, a place where he definitely was not when his ship capsized. He does not hear manolo's shouts as he is out of earshot, He then Shouts\n\n```\nManolo!\n```\n\nIt was after this, Yin awakes and flies to land on Sasori's Shoulder.\n\n```\nYin, Fly around this lake and look for Manolo. Start cawing when or if you see him, im going back into the water.\n```\n\nSasori then jumps into the water, Yin flying off to circle the lake as he does. Holding his breath he is submerged and starts swimming towards the Navis Auri." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Coming back up for air, he looks around again this time spotting Yin flying above. He opens his move and makes out a bark to get the attention of the bird. Manolo swims back to the dock and picks his equipment back up, placing his armor back on and making sure the powder in his firearms are dry. He opens his mouth again and makes another yelp only animals could understand what he said, \"Where did Sasori go?\" The crow \"Responds\" Saying that Sasori went towards the Navis Auri, Manolo's ears turn towards the area and nods towards the bird, \"Go back to Sasori, I'll be there in a bit.\" He makes another yelp for the bird to understand. He now starts moving back up in the street, Manolo turns his head and shakes all the water off his fur. Damn I really don't like water* He thinks to himself as he takes off sprinting towards the bridge connecting the Navis Auri. On his way he spots the remains and smell of fire, Something happened here, best to meet with Sasori. He takes one of the pistols off his belt and moves towards the entrance now waiting for Sasori." }, { "author": "Hudson", "message": "He quietly watched over the festival from a much quieter, farther area. Somewhere that was away from the crowds so he wouldn't consistently be pestered by store vendors trying to sell what they had or just general festival goers. It really didn't mix well getting caught with someone that wanted to talk in a very loud area when he couldn't respond in the first place. Though all wasn't too bad, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and watching over the duels happening. His interest wasn't nearly enough to make him wish to join such a tournament though. Similar to Vaughan he was more of a loner but unlike her he was actually friendly.. Just didn't exactly look the part. This would some what aid in him avoiding people as not many would wish to bump into a tall and built man unless of similar stature. He likely was off towards the start of some backstreets as it provided enough space away from people to allow him to enjoy the festival on his own." } ]	221.5	756
206.833333	2024-02-20	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "As Sasori approaches the Navis Auri, he would examine the lake looking for Manolo. Yin would start to make towards where he was last by crossing the lake instead of circling it, Cawing as it went along. He would hear this and surface from the water before yelling\n\n```\nYin, Where's Manolo?!\n```\n\nYin would respond by flying towards the entrance of the Navis Auri, Sasori holds his breath again and goes under the ship to the to the other side. Once he makes makes it to the other side, he once again surfaces from the water and climbs up onto the bridge using one of on the bridge's supports and starts heading towards the entrance as he says.\n\n```\nYin, Return.\n\n```\n\nYin flies down and lands on Sasori's right shoulder. Sasori continuing towards the entrance shouts\n\n```\nManolo, Where are you!\n\n```" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "His ears shift towards the sound of Sasori calling out for him. He opens his mouth and shouts back, \"I'm over here, Sasori!\" As he raises his pistol towards the air\nBANG\nAs the powder burns in the air, and the sound of the Crack fills the air, Manolo calmly reaches down towards one of the pouches on his belt, he pulls out a paper cartridge and places the end in his mouth to tear off. He pours the powder down the barrel and frizzen, reloading his pistol while reflecting on what led to this. What happened here? Last I remember, we were getting chased through a storm, and the next thing I know, I'm here. I hope Sasori is okay. Wait, do they even care about me? I mean I don't even know how he feels about me. He thinks to himself and reached down towards his side at a wound, Shit I got a piece of wood stuck in my side, I gotta hide it for now. As he tucks his jacket and armor over the wound to hide it. His ears are pushed back and tail is laid low, he's clearly sadden about his thoughts but chooses to hide it, Something happened here, I smell blood and powder. As he ready his pistol for anything that might come in the new world" }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori hears a gunshot and Manolo's shout and starts running towards it. After a while of running he reaches Manolo and says in a worried and sincere voice as he checks his surroundings and sees the aftermath of a battle.\n\n```\nManolo, are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?\n\n```\n\nAs Sasori turns back to Manolo, awaiting a response he says\n\n```\nYin, survey the area and circle the lake. Caw if you see anyone who is not currently here.\n\n```\n\nYin flies off to circle the lake" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "He stares at Sasori and looks at the crow flying around the lake, responding to Sasori, he says, \"Yeah I'm good, whatever happened here didn't involve me but I do smell blood and powder inside, there's also a faint smell of fire inside the building and on this bridge too.\" As he points towards the directions that he just spoke about. He continues saying, \"Whoever was here ain't here no more, I don't hear any heartbeats or breathing except for one inside, but whoever it is sounds like they're unconscious.\" Despite his tone and hiding of his emotions, his tail began wagging, and his ears pointed towards Sasori only focusing on him. Clearly, Manolo is happy seeing Sasori once again. \"Your call capitán.\" A clear Spanish accent in his voice and soft smile with squinting eyes." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori smiles seeing Manolo happy and walks past him saying in a kind but commanding voice\n\n```\nGood to hear you are ok. Now since Yin is circling the perimeter, we should head inside and check on the fellow. Maybe we can wake them up and find out more about what happened here and possibly get info on where we are. Even though you said there is only one person that you hear, we should keep our guards up.\n```\n\nSasori continues into the Navis Auri, walking cautiously, looking around as he goes. He puts his left hand on Frigid Promise which lays in the sheathe on his right hip ready to unsheathe it, if need be." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "His tail stops wagging, and his ears move back once again, saddened by not knowing how Sasori feels about him. He looks towards Sasori, heading inside, and says, \"I'm right behind you capitán.\" As he pulls out his second pistol and follows closely behind with his ears shift around, he is trying to listen to any small part of noise. He continues thinking to himself about the new area and his emotions, It's good that he's okay. I still don't know if he cares for me, but that's okay. I can worry about it later. Whatever happens, it only matters if they're okay. Okay, stop thinking about him, and it's time to focus on the area. Lights are blown out, there's a smell of fire and blood, is that dust? Why would there be dust here? There's a smell of powder, so someone was shooting here, and where there's meant to be blood is dust. I gotta investigate that. There also looks to be a table that was meant to be here and... There they are. Spotting the man laying on the floor he taps Sasori on the shoulder and says \"There's a guy right here.\" He points towards the direction of the unconscious man. He steps forward towards the man and gets down on one knee, placing his pistol back on his belt and using the now free hand to move the man." } ]	196	1,241
164.888889	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Following a transitory period where the victor of the last duel was given a moment to rest his wounds, the Physician leaves him off with one last healing spell before the duel to follow.\n\nDaniel, entering the battle with his assault rifle and two pistols, is counted as having three weapons in his arsenal. Cicada, having two weapons counted by the rules of the Margo Aeternitatis, is given the opportunity to take one of the four enchanted weapons as supplied by the organizers of the duel: either the shield, sword (longsword or shortsword), spear, or bow. Daniel may sacrifice one of his weapons to equalize the disparity between the two and rescind this opportunity, or he may sacrifice two or more to take one weapon for himself from the arsenal.\n\nCicada has been chosen to start the battle via coin-toss." }, { "author": "Cicada", "message": "From the moment they had heard the announcement that they were able to select a weapon. The magic bow had been sticking out, glowing almost as their personal pick to round out their kit of weapons. CIcada had settled on taking the bow and was arena-bound.\n\nCicada had been almost blinded by the scenery that made up the arena, but they had been even more blinded by the man who stood in front of them. The same man who they had just been talking to just about, or maybe even, an hour ago. \n\n```\n\"Great to see you made it alive!\"\n```\n\nCicada excitedly yelled out to the man. He was ever so slightly agitated by the fact that he was now supposed to fight someone familiar to him. `Just wonderful. Now I have to fight the man I was trying to befriend in that parking garage earlier. Hopefully no ill will comes from this and we can still talk after the fight.` Even though they were somewhat reluctant at first, there was no hesitance when the fight truly began.\n\nTwirling the attuned dagger with their fingers, Cicada decided to shout out to their opponent.\n\n```\n\"LET'S DANCE SHALL WE!?\"\n```\n\nImmediately following this declaration the fight had begun, as Cicada threw the attuned dagger straight at the center of Daniel's body and teleported away using Plane Slip. Whilst Cicada was on the Otherside they moved quickly trying to react off of the reaction that the dagger would cause. Once out of Plane Slip, Cicada would try to sweep Daniel's leg with the scythe and move in with the dagger that had been thrown after teleporting it back to their hand." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Onto the next one.\n\nAs Dan arrived to his next duel soon after his visit to the Royal Physician, he noted that his opponent was none other than the stranger he'd ran into earlier in the parking garage. They were already prepared, having chosen the bow from among the arsenal of magic royal weapons.\n\nHe decided it would be best to stick with his own weapons, as he felt proficient and confident enough that he wouldn't need to swap them out. A small grin crossed his face upon his opponents comment, to which he promptly returned the favor.\n\n\"Nice to see you made it as well.\"\n\nHe was no stranger to fighting familiars - His mind immediately clicked to his earlier scuffle with William, whom he'd been acquainted with during the introduction of a certain prized Koi.\n\nJust as quickly as the two greeted each other, the fight was on. The dagger flew true, approaching his chest as he tensed his muscles to allow the dagger to bounce from his armor. Though, the impact didn't arrive - The dagger was gone, and a weapon he definitely wasn't expecting sliced through the air with remarkable accuracy, which took him by surprise.\n\nThough aimed at his legs, he braced, and even as it didn't knock him over, the blade did catch the top of his knee pads and produce a decent cut through his jeans and into the flesh of his leg.\n\nIn response, he aimed his right pistol, both having been reloaded prior to the duel, in the direction the slash had arrived from and fired twice, hoping more to put up a deterrence to close range combat than to actually hit anything." }, { "author": "Cicada", "message": "Two bullets whizz past Cicada's chest as they drive in a hard reminder that this fight will not be the easiest they've ever fought. \n\n\nBut it was not something Cicada wouldn't be used to at this point in their life. Rather, it might be one of the more challenging fights that Cicada has ever fought despite only just being started. \n\n\nIn an attempt to try and gain an advantage, Cicada would try to trick their opponent by throwing away the scythe that had just impacted Daniel's knee over to the side of the arena. It would land towards the outskirts of the arena to be picked up later, since Cicada knew they could just get it back using Weapon Teleportation.\n\n\nHoping that their opponent would think that they were doing something with the scythe now. Cicada would ultimately opt for the close quarters option, pulling out both daggers from their respective holsters and aiming a slash towards the enemy in front of themselves." }, { "author": "hambburger", "message": "It hasn't been 12 days\n\nIdk what you're on about" }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Dan watched as Cicada threw his scythe, his eyes following it but quickly glaring back at him. His opponent drew daggers, with one grazing his cheek and producing a shallow cut. It seemed this fight would depend more on his close quarter skills. So be it.\n\nAs he took a split second to recover from the dagger slashes, he shoved both pistols into their respective holsters and swung his fist in an aggressive jab, right at Cicada's jaw. If the punch hit, he'd follow up with a hook from the opposite fist.\n\nIf he was given a chance, his best bet would be to draw his own knife to fight with. Worst case scenario, he still had his rifle, slung over his shoulder." }, { "author": "Cicada", "message": "A Shallow cut on Daniel's cheek proved to be just the boost Cicada needed to-\n\n\nWHAM!!!!\n\n\nA clean jab straight to the jaw. One that would remind Cicada that things could never be in their favor forever. Upon receiving this jab to the jaw, Cicada would try to switch to a more defensive stance to try and counter anything thrown at them." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Bullseye. As his fist connected with Cicada's jaw, he quickly pivoted his body at the waste and hooked his left fist through the air, heading for his nose.\n\nThe sudden switch in stances threw him off slightly, but he figured if he could keep up with the barrage of punches, he could wear Cicada down enough to have a moment to draw his knife.\n\nDan had a deep respect for his opponent, seeing their skill and prowess in a combat setting. Similar to Lily, Dan thought Cicada's ability to fight was impressive, to say the least. Since they'd interacted once before, he trusted that after this duel was done, whoever the winner, Cicada could join their party in traversing the festival." }, { "author": "melancholicdreams_", "message": "Rejoice, fellow duelist" } ]	153	1,484
418.2	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Kuouo wields Infernium, and may or may not choose to surrender it to wield one of the four enchanted weapons granted by the Custos Regni. Mythos Gryphon, being unarmed, may choose one weapon likewise.\n\nKuouo Aiche Dee is chosen to start the battle via coin toss." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\n\"Daheh! Guess I'm makin' the first move after all!\" \n```\n\nThe bandit swiftly unsheathed Infernium, flipping it around by its handle before holding it out horizontally with his left paw. Slightly tuning out the myriad of cheers and boos roaring from the crowd, Kuouo locked in on his opponent. At first glance, she had a relatively average build for a human. The bandit had yet to observe her weapon of choice, and given the new circumstances of moving forward within the tournament, she could very well choose to swap out the spear she had seemingly chosen in her last bout. Most importantly, and what caught the bandit's attention the most, was the obfuscation of her right eye. Certainly a disability he could use to his advantage, but not one so recklessly. After all, the girl had enough confidence to enter the tribulations of battle despite the missing organ and managed to overcome her opponent in the last round. Despite that, and Kuouo being unable to weakly detect any mana resonating from her SOUL, Kuouo wouldn't underestimate her based on those observations just yet. Though finally granted the ability to fight at full strength with no bars held, Kuouo was determined to stay vigilant for any aces up her sleeves.\n\n \nDashing forward with a flair of embers and bravado in his step, Kuouo the Bandit raised his left arm, aiming to test the waters with a diagonal slash from Gryphon's right shoulder down to the beginning of her abdomen." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "This round would be more difficult.\nShe could tell just from the way her opponent held himself that that was the case- not to mention his use of magic right off of the start. And that Weapon, whatever it was. She recognized his face... Not that it was a feat in and of itself. He was a famous bandit, and she was a mercenary- knowing of people like him was safer for her and her work.\nShe'd chosen to keep her same weapon from last round- though it was a replacement, given that she'd... Rather harshly altered her original spear. She was also worried it might give out, after having so much strain put on it last match. But the replacement should do fine.\nHer opponent being granted the first move certainly put her at a disadvantage- she hadn't even properly shifted into her own starting stance before he began his attack. A careless mistake, given everything... She'd opened her right side up to an attack, something she'd been hoping to avoid. \nIn her position, blocking this attack was unreasonable. She'd have to give ground, even this early into the fight. As his slash began, she would shift herself sharply back, aiming to move into a proper combat stance once she'd reached her destination. This fight was practically an opposite of her last- before, she needed to get as close to her opponent as possible. Now, however, she feared getting that close was the most dangerous thing she could do.\nHer eye stayed focused on her opponent, seeing how he would respond to her evasion. A purely non-confrontational dodge backwards, to try and give herself more time to prepare." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```\n\"Yer fast for a human!\"\n```\n\nMuch to the bandit's internal delight, the girl had chosen to keep the spear. The weapon was more than familiar to him, evident by the accumulation of scars under his fur garnered over the years from one Captain of the Custos Regni. The bandit keenly observed the girl's backstep, noting her reaction time — And off-guard at that! Using his prior experience, the bandit, seemingly on instinct, knew that his opponent was reeling back in preperation to use the length of the spear. Still utilizing the advantage of intiative, the bandit continued his momentum forward as his right foot touched the stone-cold marble. With his left paw now pulled in and his poise realigned, his free palm opened, unleashing a blazing lick of hot flames aimed at the girl's hand to further her disadvantage. Meanwhile, his dagger, with flames now crawling upwards from the hilt was thrusted towards the center of her chest. This too, could be countered with another step avoiding the combined length of the blade and his arm, but now, Kuouo's Pyromancy Was in effect. Two sources of flames were aimed in his opponent's direction, both ready to continue the onslaught — Should she choose to dodge." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She wasn't given as much time as she wanted to rebalance-\nShe couldn't get into a proper stance to stop his assault, nor plant herself enough to be able to redirect it. The use of his magic certainly made this far more difficult... And given the speed at which he was able to continue after her, dodging was no longer a safe option.\n\nShe had to do something now, or this match would already be lost- she'd lose ground continuously until she eventually ran out of ground to lose. So... She had to do something a bit drastic.\nNot that it was a panic, of course- she stayed perfectly composed through this... Non-ideal Situation, but it was still something she'd rather not have to attempt.\n\nShe planted her right foot as strongly as she could, as quickly as she could muster. And, spear clutched firmly in her left hand, she brought herself as close to the ground as possible- sliding her left foot along the ground, spear following just above it as she attempted to do a lunging stab. Her agility allowed her to get close enough to the ground to avoid the attacks that had been aimed at her, but with her positioning she was now at risk.\nIf she missed, or the attack was ineffective- this would most likely end in her defeat. She was aimed firmly for the goat's lower leg, primarily wanting to strike his ankle. If she could just Slow down His ability to approach, she might have a chance at fighting at her maximum striking range.\nThis had to work, or it would be disastrous." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Opportunity.\n\nIt would beckon the bandit's SOUL, overpowering logic and alluring the caprine fiend's instinct into seizing the chance of a wild assault. As Infernium jabbed into nothingness, Kuouo did nothing to redirect his blade's linear trajectory downwards nor did the flames crackling from both of his palms leap in a blazing arc to singe his opponent's face. Kuouo's momentum still continued forward as her green-eyes locked in place, focusing on the bandit's foot as she anchored herself down and compressed her right leg to spring towards the bandit in a committed attempt to slow down the blonde blur. \n\n*Infernium* Left Kuouo's grasp. Abandoned by Kuouo's instinct as mana began to build up at the bottom of his feet. From full output, it was halved, halved, halved, halved, halved, then halved again. The bandit tumbled, slouching his back forward with the palms of his paws aimed at the focal point that was his opponent's mounted body — More specifically her head.\n\nIn this position, Opportunity Finally revealed itself in its entirety. The bandit's instinctively planned motions would clamp down each paw near the center of his opponent's head, the fire lightly sizzling her hair and scalp before snuffing itself out. Grasping tightly, and without the need of bending his knees, a heavily weakened version of Blazestep Would be all Kuo needed to propel himself upward. Kuouo would curve his body back and upwards, utilizing his hardened core muscles into a gymnastic arch using Gryphon's head as a balance beam as the spear just barely missed him by the toe claw. If Gryphon was unable to contest the bandit at any point before this, Kuouo would continue his acrobatic streak. His body, now straightened like a knife, vaulted towards his opponent's backside. Kuouo grasped her hair even tighter, twisting his body in a blossom of leftover embers not once but twice! Finally, if given a perfect opportunity to land, Kuouo would pull Gryphon closer to him before ferociously stomping his left paw on the side of her knee for a devestating fracture. Unravelling his left paw with disintegrating flames, the bandit would finally call Infernium, holding the blade up against her left eye. \n\nAnd so, the bandit moved forward to enact the entirety of this plan. If every action went as followed, he'd finally speak, a cocky smirk etching across his face as a light bout of ego intoxified each word that followed suit. \n\n```\n\"Seems ya can't find yerself in a good position, can ya? Y'can concede or I'll gouge yer other eye out, daheh!\" He'd threaten non-chalantly. It was uncertain whether the threat of such cruelty was just an act following the bandit's bravado or genuine intention, enabled by the fact the Royal Physician was there to tend to such serious wounds afterward. Either way, the lukewarm blade sat there at a what seemed like a Planck length from lacerating her pupils.\n```" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "It seemed she had.. Underestimated just how outclassed she was in this fight.\nShe'd been able to see his movment and reaction perfectly well but- wasn't in a position to make an immediate counter. She'd assumed his magic would be slower than this... She hadn't been predicting him to be able to fully shift gears this fast.\nPerhaps she just wasn't experienced enough with SOUL magic, yet.\nOnce his assault took on a far more directly physical form, however, she was much more capable of confronting it.\nAs the goat attempted to vault over her head, Specifically When he tried to move towards her back, she'd take advantage. Given that he was gripping onto her, and that her own forward momentum had slowed by now, she had a chance to actually react- to potentially throw him off balance. Not that she'd be much better off than when the fight had started... But it was still an option to simply keep fighting.\nShe'd shift some of her weight to better distribute in between her feet. This maneuver was... More difficult, given that she couldn't see her opponent. Any of his reactions from this would be considerably out of her control- and however sharp her other senses were, it didn't guarantee she'd be able to react reasonably at all. Even still. She braced herself, and forcefully twisted both her body and head in a single motion- an attempt to throw off his acrobatic twists specifically. Forcing him to over or under-rotate might allow her a position to push free. She imagined he'd probably be landing on his feet, given his clear acrobatic skill... But it was the only option she could think of at the moment. Her spear was of no use in its current position, and she couldn't easily react to his magic at this range either.\nShe Had To make distance, or this was all over." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "It seemed that the motions Kuo's instincts had seen fit had not gone completely to plan. \n\n``'spose life ain't an anime after all...'`` 😔\n\nIndeed, he was still able to manuever out of the spear's range and re-position himself above his opponent, yet her body jolted itself from the danger of Kuouo furthering the restriction of her movement. Kuouo's body, with Gryphon's own not anchored in one position, twisted itself just a 2 1/4ths of a spin before landing. It wasn't much time, and the locks of white hair were still intertwined with the bandit's, but it gave an ample opportunity to perhaps continue pushing forward before the bandit's weight could completely settle on his ankles...\n\nThough that wouldn't stop the bandit from rolling with what he was given. Infernium was on the ground, fire magic had yet to spark back to life at the discretion of humanity's quick-to-burn hair, and the bandit had yet to fully settle on the ground in that quarter of a second. Yet, hidden within his Medeian biology and veiled only by his thin and semi-muscular build was Kuouo's own striking force. If Opportunity Wasn't seized by Gryphon, then he would purloin it for himself, yanking her head downward with a devastating strike within the face area. Forehead, nose, under the chin — Which-and-wherever he could land the knee in attempt to either discombobulate her, knock her out, shatter something, or some awful combination of the three." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She didn't have as much time to react as she had hoped.\nEven having thrown him slightly off-balance with her move, it still hadn't been enough to dislodge him from his advantaged position- something which he was short to follow up on, as she was sure. Feeling her head being pulled forwards, she instinctively brought up an arm to block her face from the incoming knee. It wasn't a very calculated move, truly... Mostly just an attempt to keep damage off of her face. Given how important her eyes were to, well- Everything, her body practically acted on its own defended them.\n\nEven still, her arm wasn't much better of a blocking tool. The strike from the goat's leg would almost certainly break something- or at least get damn close. Her only reaction was a sharp, momentary wince. She forced herself to keep her eye open and on his leg, even despite the considerable pain. She was in a Very Bad position, now. He'd been allowed to close to his optimal position, and she wasn't in a location where she could realistically use her spear. Ideas swirled in her mind, mixed with the pain from her damaged arm. She couldn't think of a way out of this- disarming him from this position would be impossible, even without her arm hurt like this. She didn't have any other backup weapons to close the distance in physical ability at this range, either... `[keen]` was only useful for preparing herself to block at this point. And blocking, clearly, wasn't going to be working out very well.\n\nThis battle wasn't going to last much longer, as far as she could tell. But she still didn't surrender.\nShe was no coward, even if she didn't have a SOUL to back up that will." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Opportunity, purloined.\n\nDespite Kuouo's opponent being able to see his movements in perfect clarity, any attempts to act against them would be ineffective as the bandit's nimble yet assertive movements continued to swarm and overwhelm the mercenary woman. Kuouo's rising knee, initially aimed for a fracturing blow to the face, was cushioned by her forearm; the spongieness of her arm's flesh was just enough to absorb the force and prevent any of her bones from breaking.\n\nKuouo grunted, firmly planting both of his feet back onto the ground, still anchored to his opponent through his tightened grasp around her hair. With a wisp of flames summoned from his right paw, Kuouo melted the lock of hair away, swiping downwards and clamping onto her injured arm. He would attempt to pull it down, removing the impromptu-face guard, and shove himself to his opponent's right side in order to restrict some of the movement of her free arm. His left paw, still disrespectfully clasping a bundle of the human's white hair, continued to hold her in place.\n\n```\n\"Daheheh..!\"\n```\n\nA devilish smirk came to be on the caprine's face, and it would become all to close for Gryphon to see. If she was unable to protect her face or otherwise break from the bandit's hold, Kuouo would reel his head back, tensing up his chest and delivering his body weight through a crushing ``headbutt.`` Aided with an explosive display of fire magic pushing him forward, it would be powerful enough to finally tear away his opponent's hair from his grasp. In that moment, the mercenary would either have the choice to stay headstrong and clash heads with the bandit once more or allow herself to stumble backwards, possibly onto the ground. If the latter followed suit, the bandit would finally relinquish his onslaught, taking only a step away to return Infernium to his left hand.\n\n```\n\"Ya know, I know I didn't give ya the pleasantries or whatever the hell's considered respectable inna mock battle or whatever...\" The bandit flipped Infernium around in his hand, engulfing the dagger in flames once more. \"But I gotta ask, izzat all y'can really do in a life or death battle?\" His question was genuine, though marred with an egotistical boastfulness. Flames trailed through the air as the tip of his dagger pointed towards Gryphon. \"Yer fightin' like ya got nothin' to lose — and I mean that in the bad way.\" The bandit made quite the provoking comment; he could see in his opponent's eyes that she was determined and brave, yet from what he could see, they lacked a certain passion — Though perhaps that was just her stoicism. \n```" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She would choose her own, third option as a response to the goat's headbutt. Given his very clear windup, he gave her quite a bit of time to respond- and given just how Obvious His plan of attack was, she was able to prepare quite well. Rather than try to block again, or allow herself to be struck in full, she rolled her upper body and head forwards, in order to minimize damage from the headbutt. As the blow would strike her, she'd use the moment to give herself proper room to recover- pulling away from his grasp and ending up low to the ground, a few feet away from him on the arena floor. This maneuver did unfortunately leave her spear on the ground- a sacrifice to allow her just that Bit More time to get better distance. She'd have to pick it up to continue fighting, but for now...\n```diff\n+ \"This combat is a test of souls. This... Arena.\"\n```\nShe ran her hand over the arena. She could feel the hum of its enchantment through her skin- resonating through the stone beneath her.\n```diff\n+ \"It amplifies the power of a SOUL.\"\n```\nShe straightened up as she continued speaking, taking her initial combat position- albeit without her spear this time.\n```diff\n+ \"I, however, lack a SOUL. And thus, this amplification is worthless to me.\"\n```\nHer gaze didn't seem the slight bit concerned. Her eye locked on the goat in front of her, unwavering- practically unblinking.\n```diff\n+ \"Were this a fight to a death under different circumstances- somewhere else, or somewhen else, things might be different. I might have my other eye, for one- or a different weapon. And that SOUL magic of yours... Might be less of a problem, for me.\"\n```\nThe end of her short explanation. She knew it was just excuses- excuses she wasn't meant to make. But she felt some... Need To explain herself. Even if she would continue the fight like this, she wanted her opponent to at least understand the situation from her view. \nAfter all, she could always see things quite clearly.\n\nHuman... Certainly, that was the term that would first come to mind when looking at her. So very- human. And yet, it was... Inaccurate, to call her such.\n\nHer eye could, of course, track infernum's attack perfectly. It doing anything else would have been- a shocking surprise, to say the least. Even in her small shifts as she prepared to approach, she could see the flaming cross moving to follow her. Fortunately, it seemed to be slower than she was.\n\nAnd thus, she planned her attack in the moment. She sharply shifted to her left, intending to maneuver around the attack before it could properly track her- and directly to her spear, which still lay abandoned on her ground. If she could reclaim her weapon, she would be able to continue to fight. Especially given that her opponent seemed to have given up close-quarters combat, at least for the moment... She had an opportunity.\n\nWere she able to reach her weapon, she intended to follow up by moving to just outside of her maximum range, to take up proper position.\n\nMythos Gryphon was not human, no... However she may look it, she was certainly not. She had only even been this 'human' since she was dragged into this still unfamiliar world- but she would not allow that to restrict her in this fight." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "As Kuouo's crossed flames leapt from the hilt of his dagger, he exhaled deeply, taking a sharp breath and reconstituting the blade into it's ACT 1 form with ease. Impressively enough, his opponent managed to move out of the special attack's crosshairs before it could properly home in on her, causing the crescents of flames to bank to the right only slightly before crashing into the arena wall in a fiery explosion that would've left anyone hit by it looking like a cartoon character holding a stick of dynamite in their hands.\n\n``Shoulda expected that by now, daheh! Wastin' mana's what I get for bein' flashy I guess. Ah t' hell with it. Might as well look t' end it now before I fumble the bag.`` \n\nWith a light chuckle under his breath, Kuouo tracked Gryphon and her feeble intentions to re-obtain her spear. With another sharp breath and Infernium switched over to his right hand, mana began gathering at the base of his feet the caprine bandit leaned forward. His opponent saw the opportunity to reclaim her weapon, and the bandit, with a malicious smirk, sought to steal it right from under her nose. As his opponent took just the slightest moment to reach down and grab her spear, a pineapple-whipped blur zipped past her at incomprehensible speeds...\n\nFor just a split second, and at nearly 853 km/h, the bandit utilized his *Blazestep* Technique in its totality, holding Infernium in the inwards position as the blade, aimed at Gryphon's carotid artery, sought to end the fight here and now." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "One thing that could be said of gryphon was that she was fast- certainly, it was true. She had an above average running speed, and an impeccable reaction time. But... 'fast' isn't always fast Enough. She hadn't let getting her spear distract her from her opponent, of course- she'd already seen that he was capable of shifting tactics on the fly, and she wasn't going to risk being caught off guard by another close-to-melee from the medei. \n\nHer preparation, however, was not enough to compete with her opponent's unknown factor. *Blazestep. She was aware he could use magic, and that his weapon were magical- she'd determined that from their fight rather easily. But she wasn't aware of just How* He could use his magic.\n\nSome may have used the term 'a train wreck in slow motion', to describe what occured from her perspective. Her eye was capable of tracking every movement of his- the shift of mana in the air as he gathered energy through infernum, every inch of movement he took even at *Blazestep's immense speed. But her body couldn't keep up with her perception. Her hands began to rise to block the knife but... Were unable to reach above her chest.\n\nShe was an instant too slow. An instant that would most likely cost her the match.\n\nHer gaze didn't change as this information became clear to her. After all, she had nothing to truly gain in this tournament- she had been aware from the beginning she would lose in a vain similar to this. She simply could not compete without a SOUL, or both eyes to compensate. Her defeat had been clear from the beginning. She only wished she could have landed one good strike on her opponent." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "The flames surrounding Kuouo extinguish as the bandit flipped the dagger around in his right paw. Resetting his posture, he turned around to see his opponent staring at the ground, just barely reaching for the wound that had slashed across the side of their neck and rendered the flesh apart by several centimeters. Despite what would be considered nothing else but a win, Kuouo could only feel a mixture of emotions. His ego flaunted Infernium in front of him. His empathy for life, however, reflected as lament from bringing his opponent to death's door. Last but not least, Gryphon's reaction to it all — Not quite apathetic, yet entirely resigned to her fate — made the bandit's victory in the end feel... Kinda empty.\n\n```\n\"... Ya oughta go and get that healed up by the mage.\" The bandit said in a serious tone, the air of bravado and confidence replaced by just a hint of sullenness in his voice. Raising his left paw into a sideways finger-gun, the bandit shot forth a small bolt flame towards his opponent's neck, cauterizing the game-ending wound for just a moment. \"Even 'without a SOUL', I 'spose ya did well enough...\" Kuouo retracted his paw, sheathing his dagger and beginning his trek across the stage to get his mana restored by the royal mage. \n```\n\nConfident in securing the win, he walked past Gryphon with only a glance to the side. He tilted his head... Why did she join this tournament? A fight to the death utilizing and amplifying the power of the SOUL, yet, if her claims about not having one were true... Then perhaps she was far more determined than he initially thought, yet, what was that determination aimed towards? On the surface, beyond self-preservation in a faux battle to the death, the bandit fought to fuel his infamy and whatever prize lied at the end. Though, deep within, he envisioned the security of his freedom being prosecuted. The ability to do as he pleased in hand with loving his lifelong partner, his pseudo-daughter, his mercenary best friend, and whoever else he happened to lock arms with within the walks of life. And so, the bandit could only wonder once more... In a battle to the edge of eternity, did Gryphon truly have something to fight for?" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "`\"Decisive,\"`* The Royal Physician commented, his head tilting as he analyzed the battle, `\"But not excessive.\"`\nWith a nod, the avian Medei stared toward Gryphon. Without even needing to move from his current position, he motioned toward the deeply-injured combatant, a potent surge of magical energy specifically targeting the wound upon her neck, sealing it wholly and rejuvenating the adjacent, damaged tissue. The cauterized tissue springs forth new and healthy flesh, wrapping over the damaged vein as though, altogether, the injury was never there.\n\n```\n\"As ye' like it,\" The coleopteran warrior tilted her head backward, her antennae swaying lightly.\n\"So? How changes thy view of the battle?\"```\n\n`\"He showed better judgment than I expected,\"` He said simply again, though a sense of acknowledgment permeated his statement.\n`\"It is strange to me why the Captain disdains him so.\"`\n\nThe avian Medei's eyes shifted aglance as he leaned toward the arena, his winged arms still folded behind his back.\n\n```\n\"The same goes for th' crowd. He's a common thief, ye' know that?\"```\n\n`\"So he is.\"`\n\n```\n\"And 's-for-th' opponent, she is more peculiar than he.\"\n\"The stage does not lie. She is without SOUL.\"```\n\n`\"I do not believe there are spells without fault,\"` He retorted. `\"Even the greatest of spells wrought by our ancestors.\"`\n`\"No living thing can exist without a SOUL.\"`\n\n```\n\"Ockham... 's it were? Novacula Occami, aye...\"\n\"You are much like a natural philosopher,\" She may have grinned had she lips, \"But that is not somethin'-t' disrespect.\"```\n\nThe two finished their brief conversation after spectating the end of the duel, as the avian Medei stepped forward, potent mana swirling around his arms. Rejuvenating energies coalesced and suffused both combatants' bodies as the fresh wounds as left by the battle began to heal. Then the Captain of the Custos Regni stepped forward, a deep breath taken in—" } ]	365	6,273
187.875	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"—𝘩𝘳𝘬...! :: •☽\n☾• \"Lower! Beneath...𝘶𝘨𝘩...The diaphragm!\" :: •☽```\n\nA pale, aureate flame glows alongside the lanternlight that illuminated a recessed area, overshadowed by an awning, set upon the perimeter of the Festival. Lit by the dancing candle-light, two figures loom over the injured sorceress—who herself was reclined atop a cot—all three distantly overseen by restless armed figures who rested past the shadow of the awning. Her golden flame flickered violently with each outburst of pain that flared from her wound, its light glittering against the stream of blood trickling across her bare and wounded flesh." }, { "author": "Isaac, \"la Torre\"", "message": "```fix\n\"Okay——I've got it.\"\n\"Exhale deeply for me, all right? I'm going to count from five and pull on three.\"```\n\nA cross bound by thin, golden chain dangled loosely from the neck of the tall, black-haired man who donned simple, clerical attire. Spatters of blood mottled the length and span of his forearm, the sleeve of his shirt pulled to his elbow, his overcoat folded and slung over his opposite shoulder. The blue eyes of the man were filled with a focus that continued to be challenged by the pressure of the night, his calm retained as he closely observed the open wound of the injured. Sweat crept in small beads along his tawny brow — this was not the first mortal injury he had treated this night, and it most certainly would not be the last.\n\nHis large and gentle hands pressed cupped around the outflow of blood slowly oozing from her middle-abdomen, shifting to make way for the soft, green mana that circulated from his fingertips and deep into the sorceress' wound. The spindly energy wrapped like invisible shoots of vine around the bullet-shard that laid, buried deep within the woman's wound, just before a major artery. The use of such delicate mana beyond where the eyes could see demanded a demanding type of poise and composure that only a man like Isaac could maintain for so long.\n\n_ _\n```fix\n\"Ms. Lucia, please slow the bleeding.\"```" }, { "author": "Lucia, \"della Grazia\"", "message": "Lucia stood beside the much taller man, her hands folded and her lips softly moving in invocation. Her eyes opened from the closure of one in prayer, and she breathed, deeply, the melodic tone of her spell and prayer changing its key. Again, the sister's eyes fell closed, and mana began to envelope the site of the wound: in prayer, she incants The miracle of healing.* In like manner to the change of her voice's pitch, her spell too changed, acting now as a stoppage to the bleeding rather than as a passive, rejuvenating force—she acted in a natural and perfect synchrony with Isaac, her miracle securing the wounded tissue that he now infiltrated with the shoots of his spell." }, { "author": "Isaac, \"la Torre\"", "message": "```fix\n\"Five, four...\"```" }, { "author": "Matteo, \"la Porta-Lancea\"", "message": "```\n\"This is unbelievable.\"```\n\nMatteo leaned against a wall, glaring, his fingers tapping repetitively and his brow deeply furrowed. Alessandra, who remained still and with squinted eyes, leaned alongside him. They both stood against the wall with their arms folded, observing the work of the two miracle-workers bearing their same Cross.\n\n```\n\"They are openly encouraging violence at a festival of peace,\"atteo grumbled. \"May the Lord grant me wisdom. What are those '𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴' thinking?\"\n\"We will only see more injured by this Hunt. And for what purpose...?!\"```\n\nThe shard of copper-lead pulled clean from the sorceress' body. As the bleeding worsened, the two healers expedited their work." }, { "author": "Index Pierre, \"ex Machinae\"", "message": "```\n\"Dogs needn't a reason for bloodshed,\" he clapped his scripture shut. \"You are mistaken if you think of them as anything more than ravenous beasts.\"\n\"The hounds of the O.S.A will leap at any opportunity to rip their fangs through tender flesh.\"```\n\nIndex Pierre of the Divine Machine. The chief finger of this hand of the Benedetta Was the third beyond the recessed assembly. He was a short man of pale-white hair, clasping tight his black, leather-bound book to his chest with one hand, his other loosely touching its fingers against the bandage that travelled the height of the right half of his face. His expression was stoic, blank, and his tone of voice was both articulate and austere, his single uninjured eye of deep brown, glaring distantly at the sorceress atop the table. He donned the overcoat of a cleric, bright and snow-white in color, a bold, silver embossing marking the form of the Cross that embellished the length its breast.\n\n```\n\"Alessandra. Where is Lotte?\"```\n\nSable, at this time, had taken a deep exhale as the worst of the pain had passed—the bullet removed and her wounds slowly mending—unclenching her teeth as her eyes went closed. The sorceress fell into unconsciousness." }, { "author": "Alessandra, \"del Tuono\"", "message": "`\"There's a hidden reason behind this all, no doubt——\"` She muttered beneath the exchange of the two. She would have spoke her opinion clearly if it was not amidst the vast minority—the two had already reached their conclusions, and now were only looking to confirm them.\n\nAlessandra closed her eyes, and, still thinking deeply, responded almost subconsciously:\n\n\"Lotte is still searching.\"\n\"She mentioned unease, at the Festival. She believes she may have found a Seed of chaos. Perhaps multiple.\"" }, { "author": "Index Pierre, \"ex Machinae\"", "message": "```\n\"If the Devil has sewn the seeds of dissension, then we are obliged to unearth and eradicate every last one of them.\"\n\"The Reverend Vicar is soon to come.\"\n\"It is our responsibility,\" he spoke, lowering his hand from his eye and stepping to face away from the two, \"To uproot the weeds along the path of our master's arrival.\"\n\"That is our duty. As fingers of the 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢.\"```\n\nPierre paced beyond the two ministers, his single eye staring askance at the unconscious sorceress as he passed her. At his lead, his subordinates — Matteo and Alessandra — followed behind him, each emerging into the orange light of the city streets beyond." } ]	192.5	1,503
348.777778	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Lily Halloran, having one item quantified as a specialized weapon (her crossbow), may pick up to one more weapon from the arsenal of the Regni Medeas. Alternatively, Daniel may sacrifice his arsenal to pick one weapon provided by staff, allowing both him and Lily Halloran to equip one enchanted weapon total.\n\nLily Halloran Is chosen to start the duel via coin-flip." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "After being set down in front of his arena, Dan decided that he wouldn't need to see the physician, given that he hadn't sustained any serious injuries as of recent. At least to his knowledge, anyway. He slid his 1911s into their respective holsters, shifting the weight of his rifle on his back and finally entering the arena. There were weapons offered to him, but he refused, preferring the ease of mid-to-long range combat with his own weapons, along with the protection his own armor offered. If he needed to, he had his knife on his belt, but his plan was to keep his opponent at a distance for as long as he could and send a good amount of shots downrange.\n\nHe looked his opponent up and down, a robed female with a notably unique color palette in her long hair, eyeing the spear and bow they chose as their weapons. Her assumption was correct - He didn't plan on going down easily. With his armor, and his weapons of choice, he felt fairly confident in himself, but he made sure not to let this make him too arrogant. There was always still the possibility of failure, and he had to be ready for it.\n\n```\n\"Agreed. If ya win, be sure t' enjoy it. Nothin' better than the feeling'a winnin' a good fight. Good luck to ya.\"\n```\n\nThis last remark came as an arrow soared through the air to his shoulder, striking his armor and making a metallic \"Twang!\" Sound as it whizzed off to the side. It took him aback, as his eyes widened slightly and he took a step back. He turned back, glaring at his assailant, before quickly drawing his two pistols and raising the right one up. No time was wasted as muzzle flash and gasses erupted from the barrel.\n\nBANG, BANG! \n\nTwo shots, with two .45 FMJ's spiraling their way out of the barrel and into the air towards Lily. As soon as he fired, he sidestepped, trying to move into a blind-spot to fire more bullets. Whether or not she would dodge, he was unsure, but if he was going to win, a rain of bullet hell seemed to be his best option. Brute force and blind luck." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Hearing his reply, she Did Feel a bit bad that she resorted to such a surprise attack of all things, but she wanted to gauge how her opponent would react...\n\nAnd react he did.\n\nShe saw fiercity flare in his expression as any warmth from her words and his faded, and prepared to move as he retaliated, firing off two shots with his twin ranged weapons.\n\nShe was prepared for such a reaction however, she was not Quite Ready for how fast the bullets flew and barely managed to lurch to the left as they whizzed by, mere inches from her right ear.\n\nIn the absence of encounters with it, she had become somewhat unfamiliar with facing off against assailants with weapons of steel, not since the pirates of her world had she had to deal with it, and then at least she had took them by surprise.\n\nThe element of surprise would not work here, her arrow fired bounced off his armor nay a scratch.\n\nShe had to think of another plan, fast.\n\nAs he sidestepped, trying to no doubt flank her where she wouldn't expect it, she would employ another perhaps \"Dirty\" Move.\n\nThe bow still in hand, she aimed for where she expected his right leg would be, and regardless of if he moved or not, what she'd do next would be unchanged.\n\nKeeping the position long enough for him to surely assume she was planning to cripple him, she shifted her aim upwards.\n\nShe'd try to cripple him alright, just in a different way.\n\nAs fast as she could, she brought her aim upwards, And loosened an arrow at the barrel of the gun in his right hand." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "The fight was on for real now. As he kept moving forward, he took into note the seemingly unprepared reaction to the velocity at which his bullets traveled. A slight grin crossed his face, as he figured his plan was right.\n\nCatch off guard, rain Hell.\n\nIt was possible, but judging by her apparent combat prowess and her proficiency with the weapon of choice, it wouldn't be easy. There was an uncommon thought sitting in the back of Dan's mind, the thought that he wasn't at all sure what the outcome of this duel would be. So be it.\n\nAs his opponent kept her aim fixated on him, Dan needed to be ready for anything. The look in her eyes gave her an air of mischief, and something told him she wasn't planning on fighting completely fair. That was alright with him; he could match that energy.\n\nTime to react. An arrow, approaching his hand. It was a small target, but the arrow seemed to be flying true. All he had time to do was wrench his arm upwards, taking his hand out of danger. Though, despite this, the arrow found its way to another target as it grazed his hip, before hitting the inside of his coat and clattering to the ground.\n\nThe arrow had made its mark, with a cut on his hip a few inches long now beginning to seep blood into his white shirt. The mercenary gritted his teeth, but blocked out the pain in order to keep himself in the fight. He'd felt worse, that was for sure, but it wouldn't do to underestimate it either.\n\nNow, it was his turn. He pulled his hand back down from the raised position he left it in, fixing his aim back onto his target before ringing off another 3 shots. However, the bullets came from somewhere different entirely, hip-fired from the pistol in his left hand, rather than the one he had raised." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "A weapon missed, but still her arrow had struck as she saw him wince in pain as he raised his arm so that her attack met his hip instead. \n\nHow had he known? Perhaps she gave too much away, deliberated too lo-\n\nBANG BANG BANG\n\nPain shot up her left shoulder.\n\nHis other weapon. \n\nWhy didn't she account for his Other Weapon?\n\nThrowing herself to the right, she gnashed her teeth to try and block out the pain.\n\n```\n\"This isn't working, Lily.\"\n\n```\nFloriama said, irritated.\n\n```\n\"I know!\"\n\n``` \n\nShe had accidently yelled it in her pain, loud enough that her opponent might have heard. Maybe it'd confuse him momentarily at least.\n\nShe had to change tactics, get closer, disarm him. She'd never last trying though...\n\nNot normally at least.\n\nIf the physician wasn't able to re-energize her, assuming she won this, she'd be throwing her biggest strength away earlier, but so be it.\n\n\nGnashing her teeth even more , her Soul manifested in an aura of green-red that surrounded her entire being briefly. She felt every sense sharpen, the area around her drew outwards, the smell of gunpowder strengthened, she could see the individual fibers that made up her clothes if she looked. The bullet in her shoulder fell off as her wound closed.\n\nGetting to her feet, her face tensed in a contortion of what could either be seen as rage or pain. Her eyes snapped shut.\n\nAnd then she screamed.\n\n``VROOM ``\n\n\nIf anyone was close enough to touch her, a burst of energy would knock them backwards, any attacks, ranged or otherwise would be repelled but not redirected.\n\nWith her hands full, no staff formed, instead over the metal of the spear, tangles of wood twisted up and around its shaft until at the sides of the tip became adorned two sharp sticks of wood, essentially making any strike 3-pronged.\n\nHer eyes snapped open, and where once they were green. They were now red.\n\nWith a loud warcry, she ran in a half-circle 30 mph maneuver towards Dan, and in her rage, she aimed critical.\n\nWhen about 5 feet away, she, with her enhanced strength aimed the spear turned trident Directly at his chest. It's speed would be increased in her state, not its power, but if it struck, he would feel as if a big wood log from a tree had suddenly slammed into him." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "*Success.\n\nOne of his bullets found their way into Lily's left shoulder, with her throwing herself to the right and gritting her teeth in pain. Dan didn't waste time celebrating his victory, instead making an attempt to move himself to the side to catch her off guard before she had a chance to react.\n\nThat is, before an outward wave of energy burst into the air, causing him to stumble back, before catching himself and bracing. He crossed his arms in front of his face, before lowering them to observe the figure that now stood in front of him.\n\nPiercing red eyes looked back, with twisted vines of wood having wrapped themself around her weapon, now creating a 3-pronged trident. The sound of a hearty war-cry shook the air, and before Dan knew it, his opponent charged, with the trident scoring a heavy hit right into the armor plate over his chest. It likely wouldn't pierce it, but nonetheless, the hit was like a cannonball directly to the chest, and would leave a huge bruise, as well as cracking a few ribs.\n\nAirborne.* \n\nDan was hurled backward, landing on his back, before rolling backwards and sliding along the floor of the arena, coming to a stop several yards away. The heavy hit caused him to cough blood onto the ground, before he wiped it from his lips. After taking a few seconds to catch his breath, he rolled to the side and pushed himself off the ground and up to his feet. The sharp pain from his cracked ribs made his breathing shallow, but he pushed himself to stay in the fight, allowing the adrenaline to surge throughout his body.\n\nDan cracked his neck, still taking deep breaths, observing his opponent. This definitely wouldn't be easy now, but he chose to save his more powerful weapon as a last resort. For now, he needed to get close, either land a hard physical hit or get close enough to guarantee all of his shots hit their mark. He wasn't a skilled gunman for nothing.\n\nWhen he sufficiently caught his breath, he suddenly, swiftly, rushed forward. He pushed his speed to the test as he angled himself, aiming to rhino-charge directly into her with his shoulder armor aimed forward. As long as he could get close, he could switch his attack and let off a volley of bullets from his pistols." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "As the brutal throw struck Dan's chestpiece, sending the gunman backwards, Lily quickly retrieved the trident where it lay from the blow.\n\nIn her frenzied state, she wasn't perhaps as tactical, but her higher functions were still very much intact. She glared daggers at her opponent as she watched him wipe the blood (god, she could Smell The blood) from his mouth, roll away, and then get to his feet.\n\n```\n\"Well, you have his number now.\"\n\n```\n\nFloriama spoke inside her head, but her voice was muffled in Lily's current state, all her senses sharpened and focused on her foe.\n\nShe studied him, waiting for his next move, his next attack. It would likely be the guns, and that'd give her the chance to disar—\n\nHe suddenly charged towards her in a shoulder tackle maneuver, no doubt to take her off-balance.\n\nFool.\n\nIn her heightened state, she reacted quicker than she perhaps otherwise would have, and as he came barreling towards her, she pivoted sideways.\n\nWithin 5 seconds of him nearing, she leaned backwards and stuck out her right foot. \n\nShe was intending to trip him, and whether she succeeded or not, she'd follow up with a tossing motion with the trident, intending to vault him with her enhanced strength behind him, hopefully disorienting him long enough for her to strike." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "As Dan saw the movement, and the motion of a foot sticking out, he narrowed his eyebrows, slowing his momentum slightly to give himself an even longer window to react. Though, he didn't try to completely stop. \n\nA thought crossed his head, admiring the tenacity of using such a simple yet effective move. He had to admit, if he hadn't gotten such an opportunistic window of time, he likely would have fallen for it.\n\nHe was within 5 seconds...\n\n5 seconds to react. Luckily, to a skilled veteran, this was plenty of time. When he was close, almost seeming as if he would fall for it, he pushed off his feet, launching himself to the right with the hopes of crashing straight into her. \n\nHe figured he would go down as well, but perhaps the combined weight of himself and his gear landing atop her would stun her, thus giving him the upper hand. Only one way to find out. \n\nNo holding back now." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Unluckily for Dan, the feint would not quite work.\n\nLily had already been prepared to vault him over her and so as he pivoted to the right instead of meeting her head-on, she merely shifted the direction of her arms at the last second, and as he threw himself forwards, she would catch him underside with the shaft (still spiked with wood) of the trident, and with her enhanced strength pushed him upwards and then threw him backwards in one, mostly fluid, motion.\n\nDue to the angle, she Did Stagger as he was above her and she too would fall backwards as he was thrown behind her.\n\nPerhaps this would still work though.\n\nHe would be a foot away from where she lay, and she would Seem To be knocked prone, vulnerable.\n\nReally, she was just waiting for the precise moment.\n\nWere he to try and get up, she'd suddenly spring into action, her left hand still on her trident, and then she'd strike, jabbing his left foot (or whichever one was closest to her) with it. \n\nIf he were to try and fire from his position without getting up, at the sound of his guns beginning to click, she'd roll to her right and then get to her feet." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "He was lifted head over heals, landing on his back again with a thud before pushing forward and tac-rolling onto his knees. A sharp pain permeated his side, but he shut it out of his mind, not letting it hinder him. After quickly spinning himself around, he slid his pistols into his holsters and swung his rifle around to his hands.\n\n*Click.\n\nWithout missing a beat, and with a newfound boost of mostly impatience, he would let off a volley of bullets, 15 out of his 30 round magazine to be precise.* \n\nThe 5.56x45mm FMJ's spiraled through the air, in a fan motion from the left, over Lily herself, and then to the right of her position. His intent was to hit her regardless of which direction she moved. If she did manage to move, he would attempt to trace her movement, and follow up with more shots from the rifle.\n\nHis mind was set in the battle, with quite literally nothing else occupying it besides his next move in the fight. This way, he could be more accurate, and more responsive. He was already more beat up than he wanted to be, and he intended to end this as soon as he could." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "As she heard the sound of Dan's gun click, Lily rolled to the right, the first volley of 5 missed her, and as she raised the trident to block, as she continued to roll towards Dan's position, 3 bullets would ping off her trident, snapping off the spikes and hitting the shaft beneath, and 5 would miss.\n\nTwo would meet their mark however, Lily's vision intensified, the shock pushing her rage back as blood seeped from her right side where the bullets struck, nearly next to one another. She screamed in what was pain and then anger.\n\nIt had knocked her out of focus, but only for a moment. The pain intensified her rage as it intensified. She had to end this quickly, a few more well-aimed shots and she was done for.\n\nAs she was nearly to his right, Lily, still on the ground, in one fluid motion leapt upwards, trident-spear raised. She'd feint the still spike-tipped spear towards his neck only to then swiftly redirect it hard into his right shoulder blade. Were he to be caught off guard, she would then follow this with a right hook of steel to his face, attempting to stagger him." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "A snarl crossed Daniel's face as most of his assumed death volley would miss their mark, but the light of the moment came when 2 well placed pierced the flesh of her right side.\n\nShe's stunned. Now's your chance. Don't miss it.\n\nBefore he made his move, Dan took a deep breath, this time looking down the sight of his rifle. In the moment in which she was stunned, the moment she stopped to scream in pain, he sent another 3 shots out of the barrel towards her midsection.\n\n*BANG, BANG, BANG!\n\nWhether the shots would hit their mark, Daniel wouldn't know, because the only thing on his mind now was the body approaching him from above and the spear now quickly descending towards his neck.\n\nGotta move. Now.\n\nHe slouched the right side of his body, allowing it to fall towards the arena floor before pushing off of his left foot and launching himself away from the attack. As he did so, instead of running, he twisted his body back to the direction he had come from, and, yet again, another two shots echoed as he aimed for her stomach.\n\nBANG, BANG!" }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "She wouldn't have been there long enough for the 3 shots to hit, they'd fly past her as she rolled to towards him.\n\nShe swung downwards aiming for his shoulder.\n\nMISS\n\nBut she wasn't expecting a stationary target anyway.\n\n As the start of her swing arced downwards, and he began to push himself backwards, she used his momentum to instead stab the trident into his upper left thigh, twisting it if she made contact and then ripping it out. She would roll away again behind him to anticipate anymore fired bullets, and in an attempt to ambush him. \n\nIf he turned around to face her, she'd be ready, and the second he would, she'd swing the trident to smash into his rifle in an attempt to even disorient or even disarm if possible." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Fuck.\n\nHis shots had yet again missed their mark, cracking through the air and striking the arena wall behind where Lily had just moved from.\n\nLuckily for him, his dodge was successful, and the trident missed his shoulder by a few mere inches.\n\nUnluckily for him, it would not miss his thigh, with the head of the spear piercing the flesh 3.5 or so inches deep. This was about all Daniel was expecting.\n\nBut that wouldn't be all he got. The blade of the spear twisted in his thigh and was torn violently out of the flesh, eliciting a roar of pain from the mercenary.\n\nDan allowed Lily to roll herself behind him, looking down at his thigh where the spear had torn the flesh. Blood poured from the open wound, staining his pants a deep red and drawing a slightly shaky breath from his lungs.\n\nHe stood where he had been struck, not quite knowing where to look next. He figured if he turned around, she'd already be ready, given that she just scored a hit, and would follow up with another attack. He knew that kind of adrenaline. Though, if he stayed facing away, she would almost inevitably strike from behind. He hoped just staying in place would at least confuse her a bit.\n\nTime to switch it up again. He quickly swung his rifle back, letting it rest in its place across his back, before drawing his right pistol. Additionally, he slowly pulled his knife from the sheath on the front of his belt, trying to hide the fact that he had it in his left hand. That way, he was prepared for close or medium range.\n\nHe ran his limits through his head, knowing that this leg wound would restrict his movement greatly. Although, maybe he didn't need to move as much as he thought. If he just let her get close... He could try and counter.\n\n```\n\"Y'know, yer one of th' better fights I've had in a while. Whichever way this goes, jus' know yer held in a high regard.\"\n```\n\nIf he heard Lily start moving behind him, he would immediately turn and stab as hard as he could at her midsection. If nothing happened, then... Nothing happened. Dan likely wouldn't turn around, as he anticipated that Lily would be prepared if he did so. He figured he would take his chances with an ambush." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "While she wasn't the type to usually relish in the pain of others, in her more frenzied state, a bit of a twisted smile grew on her face as she watched her blows meet their marks, her foe yelling in pain as she twisted the trident in his thigh.\n\nNow she just had to wait for his counterattack. He'd turn around, allowing her to gut him and end this hopefully. \n\n........\n\nWhat.\n\nWhat was he doing. \n\nHe had rearmed himself, his rifle re-holstered, a pistol in his right hand, but then\n\nWhy was he just...Standing there? \n\nMaybe he was winded, this could possibly serve as an opening, an opportunity.\n\nHe suddenly spoke, and while she might have said something in response, as she had done at the start , the remark while not dignified with a reply, still made her momentarily nod, even if he could not see it. Dignity was still within her raging heart, after all.\n\nHe still did nothing.\n\nIf he was still healthy enough to speak clearly, he was likely still healthy enough to give her a fight. She saw a minor shift in his movement, but not what he was doing with his back turned to her.\n\nThink... Tactical...\n\nShe wouldn't rush in blindly, but he was probably still expecting her to make the first move in this lull in combat.\n\nSuddenly, she lurched forwards, straight at him, seemingly, but then just as suddenly, she would roll to her right. \n\nPain shot up her side again as the bullet wounds met the floor, but she had been correct, as the sudden jab at her had swished by the left side of her head and then out of range entirely.\n\nIf his next move was to fire at her, she'd throw the trident at him again, aiming for his right arm. \n\nIf he was to try and rush her with the knife, then she'd very much get an opening, and she'd let him come and then stab him in the chest with the trident.\n\nNow to the right of her foe, she waited for his next move.\n\nReady." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Damnit. Another missed hit. Though, at this point he'd sort of come to expect that.\n\nSeems his opponent was picking up on the tactical mindset of the battle, something Dan had noticed from her now more calculated moves. He had respect for it.\n\nHe watched as she rolled to the side, his knife missing it's mark - A wasted attack it seemed, as he had failed to perceive the sudden movement before it happened. Dan cursed himself for not being better prepared, but he still took into account just how formidable his opponent was. Wasted confidence wouldn't do him any good now.\n\nShe had known what she was doing, rolling like that, and would likely be prepared to defend against his weapons. Although, he did seem to notice that her wounds were giving her trouble, such were his own. His leg pulsed, with sharp pangs of pain hitting him every so often, though the blood had slowed down. He knew one of them would tire out eventually, and he was determined for it not to be him.\n\nDan stood steadfast. Rushing would do no good. He had turned to face her, though instead of firing or rushing, he simply held his ground. He left his gun arm at his side and his knife up and at the ready. He knew from earlier in their battle that his extended magazine had at least 16 shots left - There likely wouldn't be an opportunity to reload anytime soon, so he had to make them count.\n\nAt the very least, he hoped to bring the battle to a standoff to give him time to think of a better plan. At the most, he'd be ready if she became impatient and instead decided to attack him. If she did rush, instead of attacking immediately, he would wait for her to get close, see what she did, and attack then. He wanted to lessen the chance of her dodging, if possible. Thought-driven and methodical attacks were a necessity now, as he saw no point in attacking blindly and risking a lethal injury.* \n\nDan glared at his opponent through his sunglasses, ferocity in his eyes, his teeth gritted in a snarl." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Standoff.\n\nThe two foes faced one another, both preparing for the other to break their staredown. \n\nLily's trident was gripped tightly in her right hand.\n\nThe trident. She had been using the trident only, all this time.\n\nShe still had the taken bow, and her own crossbow. She had been so focused on striking fatally with her main weapon, that she hadn't even used her others since her first attack.\n\nThe bow stood ready at her side, and her crossbow was still slung on her back.\n\nShe made no moves to grab either of them.\n\nNot yet at least.\n\nThe silence would be broken.\n\nLily ran, 27 mph, straight at Dan, trident held aloft, it would seem she would indeed be allowing a vulnerability for her foe to shoot her down.\n\nBut it was not so.\n\nAs she was within 2 ft of him, she'd suddenly slam her trident down into the ground, and use it as a springboard to propel herself OverDan.\n\nAirborne, she dropped the trident and instead grabbed her bow.\n\nCRASH\n\nShe slammed into the ground, Hard, a quite painful move. But pain would not stop her plan, as from her prone position a foot away, with her enhanced strength and reflexes, she'd set loose 3 emerald arrows from her bow.\n\nThe first was aimed at where Dan was, and the second and third were aimed to the left and right of Dan, in case he were to try to evade in either direction." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "It was bound to happen eventually. Something Dan had been acutely aware of, the possibility that she might use her own sidearms, the bow and handheld counterpart. He just hadn't expected it now, of all times.\n\nHe had originally put both his arms up, crossing them tightly across his chest to block the incoming attack.\n\nBut the full-frontal assault never hit. As Lily propelled herself into the air, Dan looked up, watching the blur fly over his head, before the crash of her landing sounded behind him.\n\nThe \"TWANG!\" Of three arrows being released from a tightened bowstring rung in his ears, with him freezing in place. Instinctually, he flung the front left and right pieces of his jacket outward. Though, this wasn't because he knew where the arrows were, rather he thought it would be smart to use his coat as a makeshift shield, given the Kevlar woven into the seams. So, he flung the sides out to get more protection coverage.\n\nThe left and right arrows did what he was expecting them to do - Tore the top layer of fabric on his coat, and, due to the elasticity of the open air rather than his body behind the coat, and the material it was made of, bounced off to the sides. The middle arrow, however, he had failed to account for in his last minute defense move. He wouldn't have been able to dodge it either way, though he still swore to himself silently.\n\nThe tip of the middle arrow hit his coat, however, with the rigidness of his body, the arrow stabbed through the material and pierced his back. The arrow pierced a couple inches deep, enough for it to stick out of Daniel's back. The hit elicited a shout of pain, with Dan quickly turning around and looking to where the sound of the bow came from.\n\nOnce he had a rough idea, he kicked his booted foot sideways, sweep-kicking and hoping to catch her while prone.\n\nHe hoped if he could stun her there, then he could hit her with something else before she had the chance to get up off the floor." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "One.\n\nTwo.\n\nThree.\n\nAs all 3 arrows fired, Lily saw that only one met their mark, she had expected that though, expected he'd move, but perhaps not that any of the shots would land. \n\nReacting to his kick, she tumbled backwards, the kick would still land however, the tip of his boot striking her chin, causing her to exhale sharply from the pain and she laid sprawled out on the floor.\n\nBut only for a moment.\n\nForcing herself to move, as he'd likely try to fire upon her with the opportunity his kick gave, she'd roll to the right, towards where her trident lay. On the first movement, as she had the bow against her stomach on the floor, she'd ready it, and then she would fire it once she was facing front again, aiming at Dan's collarbone.\n\nIt'd likely miss, but it would hopefully allow her a distraction to get to her trident which was still about half a foot out of reach, and at least recover it for future use." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "The arrow shot at his collarbone would almost miss, but not quite entirely. The arrow had originally hit his shoulder armor, as he had already began moving towards her.\n\nThough, once the arrow bounced, it bounced just passed his neck, with the tip of the arrow slicing about a quarter of an inch into the flesh. A roughly 2 inch clean cut formed there, with blood seeping down his neck.\n\nHe didn't let this stop him, however. Giving up a position of opportunity such as this was not the first thing on his mind, nor his safety really.\n\nGotta get on the assault. He needed to follow up on his kick as soon as possible.\n\nAs he moved towards Lily, he dropped to his knees, using the metal of the knee pads to cushion the fall.\n\n*SSKKKKHHHHH!\n\nAs he dropped down, sparks flew and the sound of metal scraping on the ground grated the air, as he used the steel knee pads to slide across the arena floor to where Lily was positioned.\n\nOn approach, he reeled his fist back, with the hard handle of his knife clutched in his fingers.\n\nThen, with the extra weight gripped tightly in his hand, he propelled his fist forward in a clean jab, aiming right for Lily's face." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Not bothering to check if the arrow hit or not, Lily continued towards where her trident lay. It was right as she had her hands around it, it still resting on the ground, that she heard the sound.\n\nThe sharp scrape of metal, getting closer and closer.\n\nLet him come.\n\nHer back was still turned, her hands still on the trident where it was embedded in the ground. It could be pulled out easily, but to her opponent, it would Appear* That she was having difficulty with dislodging it.\n\nYes,\n\nLet him think that. That she was open.\n\nAs he advanced upon her, close enough that the screech of metal was deafening, she suddenly twisted around and with both hands on the trident, she struck, thrusting the trident towards his chest.\n\nBlood dripped down her right cheek — he had narrowly missed stabbing her directly due to her head being tilted to the left as she struck, but the blow still grazed. She growled and regardless of whether her blow had struck or not, she'd take a few steps backwards.\n\nShe'd just have to keep attacking... Keep atta—\n\nA wave of fatigue would suddenly hit her, forcing her to her knees.\n\nThe pain from all her wounds would come sharper momentarily, the intensity greater.\n\nThe adrenaline wearing off.\n\nThough the fatigue passed and her wounds decreased in the intensity of their pain, she knew this was a sign. A sign that this battle had to end soon or else she'd be rendered too weak to even stand." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "He had been hit in his front plate with the trident, causing him to fall backwards and his knees to slide out underneath him. Pain shot through his already injured ribs, with him coughing some blood onto his chest. \n\nDan landed on his back with a thud, with his coat mostly protecting him from scraping his back. He inhaled sharply through his nose, blowing the air out through his mouth. That way, his airways stayed open.\n\nHis legs had straightened, laying him on his back on the arena floor. He quickly rolled, pushed off the ground with his hands, and got to his feet, breathing heavily. Then, something in his view became quite apparent.\n\nAn opening.\n\nAs soon as the realization hit him that Lily was on her knees, injured and vulnerable... He wasted no time launching into another attack. \n\nSharp pains hit his leg as he propelled himself forward, causing him to faulter slightly, but he kept pushing. He couldn't let this opportunity go to waste.\n\nTime to try and end this.\n\nAs he approached Lily, in her knelt position, he lifted his bad leg, using his good one to push the other's momentum forward.\n\nA push kick came directly for Lily's chest, with Dan aiming to knock her backwards, and hopefully either knock the wind out of her or even crack a few of her ribs as well.\n\nWhatever happened, he readied his pistol to prepare for if his original plan failed.\n\nThis needs to end.\n\nFor the first time in the battle, it seemed the two of them were thinking the same thing.\n\nAs he prepared to follow her movements in the direction she went in, two crossbow bolts flew towards the air towards him.\n\nOn the move again, the attacks wouldn't hit quite where they were intended to. \n\nFor one of those, this would be a good thing, as the bolt hit his jacket sleeve and flew to the side.\n\nThe other bolt, aimed at his chest, was not so good, hitting downward of where intended. It sunk deep into his bad leg, close to his waist, further worsening the pain.\n\nA war-cry of pain and anger bellowed from his lungs, as frustration welled up in his body.\n\nAdrenaline flowed through his veins, with that and shock being the only things keeping him on his feet, though he faltered slightly.\n\nHe used the time following the attack to catch his breath. Pain permeated his entire body, but still, be it stubbornness or resilience, he was determined to stay in this fight.\n\nAs the blur of her rolling caught his eye, he followed it in his vision, tracking her to where she would end up.\n\nDan stared her down, turning his body to face her and approaching swiftly. Not quite charging, but more-so speed-walking towards her, pistol gripped tightly in his hand.\n\nThe stomping of his boots came closer.\n\nBlood dripped from his nose, trailed down his chin, stained through his clothes, dripped onto the arena floor.\n\nHis knuckles were white with the grip he held on his weapons.\n\nThere was a violent look in his eyes.\n\nA look that said he intended to end this.\n\nNow." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Time to end this.\n\nStrength was fading, it would be now or likely never. \n\nAs her opponent approached swiftly, angrily, bloodstained, she screamed.\n\nA very loud, pain-filled scream, louder than any other that might be heard even miles on, as she charged at Dan, regardless of her bad leg, the rage of her warrior spirit filling her as she went all in.\n\nAbout halfway to where he was, as his muzzles would likely flash to gun her down, she would push off her feet and dive at him, shaft of the trident in her hands held like a two-handed staff, she would try to use it and slam into him, hopefully knocking him prone beneath her.\n\nIf this succeeded (it Had to, it Must), while above him, pinning him to the ground with the trident, she would waste no time in following up not with further trident stabs, but rapid fire pummels of steel to his face with her fists, nonstop blows until either he got lucky and shot her down, or she knocked him out, ending this either way.\n\nGive up." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "That assumption was correct; As the war-cry reverberated in the arena, and an enraged warrior charged him down, Dan pulled his pistol upward almost instantly.\n\nHe let forth a war-cry of his own, a hoarse roar of anger and frustration. The pain of his wounds, the endurance of his determination, the violence engrained into his mind, the rage burning in his body.\n\nAs she lunged, he used her airtime to his advantage. Dan tracked her body with his pistol sights, held his breath, aimed center mass for the best chance of hits, and shot 3 times as fast as he could.\n\n*BANG, BANG, BANG!!!!\n\nDan hoped his shots would be enough to cause her attack to fail. He was confident in his aim, being at almost point blank range with a large target becoming larger by the second. Though, just in case...\n\nWith his other hand, he held his knife outward, thrusting it forward as she continued to fall, intending to plunge it deep into her chest using the momentum of her descent.\n\nHe knew this was the end of the fight. Sure of it, even. Even if his shots somehow missed, there was no way for her to move herself in the air. Surely she would fall upon his knife.\n\nRegardless, she would land on top of him either way, whether she fell defeated or not, likely knocking him down.\n\nThis is it.\n\nI have to win.\n\nI HAVE TO WIN." }, { "author": "Lily Halloran", "message": "Her attack was not carried out unimpeded.\n\nBANG\n\nBANG\n\nBANG\n\nTWANGG\n\n\nAs he had shot when she had the spear held in front of her, his cente-rmass bullets would impact it. The metal would bend from the impact, but it had taken the shots. At the speed she was going, the impact of the shells did not hinder her.\n\nNice try, but too la—\n\nHe had known better, as she was nearly to him, she saw the knife. She couldn't twist out of the way. This would be it for sure.\n\nThere was but one thing she could do.\n\nWithin few seconds to spare before impact, she pushed against the forces propelling her Just* Enough that she could lower her arms slightly downward, enough that when she slammed into her foe , the knife and trident would meet. \n\nCRASH\n\nImpact.\n\nThe trident would hit Dan, smashing against his hand wielding the knife. If he was too slow to react and held it aloft , the force would likely cause his arm holding it to either knock it out of his grip or a self-inflicted plunge into himself... Hopefully.\n\nRegardless, she didn't wait for him to regain his bearings.\n\nIf the knife Wasn't Out of his hands, she would smash her foot (whichever was closest) into the hand that held the knife.\n\nAnd then would come the strikes as she brought her left fist down to pummel in his face, intent on knocking him out. On finishing this.\n\nStrikes of steel, the weight of wrath and anger and pain behind each and every single one.\n\nOne. \n\nThen two. \n\nThen three. \n\nFall.\n\nFall.\n\nFAL-\n\nHer vision began to swim and blur then, the strikes would keep coming, 2 more, but weaker as the energy to fight began to fade, and eventually she would succumb to exhaustion.\n\nShe didn't know if she had him beat or not, as all fell to darkness." }, { "author": "Daniel", "message": "Man that spear was tough. And her skill with it was impressive - Blocking bullets like that was something he could outright respect.\n\nAs the two of them impacted, the clash of metal on metal rang in Dan's ears. His grip loosened.\n\nHe let the knife be flung from his hand, as it clattered to the floor on the arena behind him.\n\nThe two of them went down to the floor.\n\nAnd then the punches.\n\nOne punch landed.\n\nSearing hot pain shot through his head.\n\nHe swung his hand up, slamming his own fist into her arm to make her second punch miss.\n\nHis head moved to the side, narrowly avoiding the third punch and fourth punches, though one clipped his cheekbone.\n\nThe fifth and final hit landed on his nose, with a crunch being heard and blood spewing out onto his lips.\n\nHis head hit the arena floor. His vision went black...\n\n...\n\n...\n\n*Get up.\n\nI have to get up.\n\n...\n\n...\n\nHis vision returned.\n\nHis head pounded. Everything was blurry.\n\nBut the punches had stopped. A heavy weight had fallen on his body.\n\nHad he done it?\n\nHis body ached, and as the adrenaline wore off, the pain of his wounds hit him hard. He winced, acutely aware of the object in his back. But... He was awake.\n\nAs his vision gradually became clearer, the unconscious body of his opponent, fallen upon him, came back into his view.\n\nHe laid his head back on the floor, looking up at the sky, before carefully rolling Lily off of him. Though, he didn't get up yet. His adrenaline wearing off had caused a great deal of pain, and he was very fatigued, so he stayed on the ground.\n\nHe was still covered almost head to toe in blood.\n\nBut he was awake.\n\nWhich meant..." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "```\n\"'Twas nobly fought.\"```\n\nThe Royal Guard folded her arms. Her antennae shift as she stands tall, her thousand-faceted pure-black eyes shimmering in the light of the stage. Before her, two combatants ride the line of consciousness and unconsciousness, their vision in a blur, revolving, as all the world and stage around fades to black — unable to capture the sight of the hundreds with their eyes upon the battle. \n\n`\"It has always disturbed me...\"`\n\nThe Royal Physician squinted, averting his visage, both arms folded behind his back.\n\n```\n\"Hmm?\"```\n\n`\"...Humanity's unabated propensity to create such efficient tools of murder.\"`\n\n```\n\"...Mm...\"\n\"I suppose so. But... Such is the balance of this world at work.\"```\n\nThe mana that permeated the arena beneath them shimmers, the runelets carved into its surface glittering alight, momentarily, as a light shines, and —\n\n \"THE WINNER OF THIS DUEL IS DECIDED!\"\n\nThe Royal Physician appeared before them in the blinking of an eye — or perhaps his arrival was much longer in coming and merely the victor's perception of reality was hazed, time accelerated in a near-unconscious stupor — as the avian, black-feathered form of the well-dressed Medei manifest before him. With a subtle motion of his clawed fingers, mana began to suffuse all the surrounding environment and both Daniel's and Lily's bodies together, a regenerative flux soothing their wounds and halting the worsening of what injuries ailed them. Particularly, any cuts or penetration wounds would begin quickly to close up, as the pain rapidly subsided, and their consciousnesses were returned to them.\n\n \"AND ITS VICTOR IS: DANIEL SMITH!\"*" } ]	320	9,417
185.428571	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Gryphon, being unarmed, may pick up to two weapons from the arsenal to match the number of weapons of William Rojas. Rojas may sacrifice both of his weapons to reduce the number of weapons Gryphon is permitted to choose to one, furthermore allowing himself to pick one weapon/item from the Regni Medeas' arsenal.\n\nMythos:Gryphon Is chosen to start the battle via coin toss." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Right. So this was the ritual combat she'd heard of- she hadn't actually... Seen it performed, the past few years she'd come to the festival. Normally she was far too busy to put it into her schedule. But this year, being able to participate? That... Changed things. It was frustrating to have to abandon her schedule for now, of course, but this was not an opportunity she should pass up.\n\nAll the same, it came with its fair share of concerns. Her first came before she even stepped foot into the arena, or chose her weapon- the healing meant to be given by the royal physician. She wasn't sure to what degree their attempts would affect her eye... And wanted to speak with the physician before they did anything that might alter it. Permanent damage to her eye would be more than a bit of a problem-" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Walking closely behind Athena till they reach the dueling arena, he was confused to say the least, People still have duels? Shit, I don't really want to be doing this. Primary objective keep watch to make determine any threats to the king, that's what Athena wants, winning this duel is optional. He thinks to himself, viewing over the arena before stepping in, he decides to leave his rifle behind, This small an area ain't best for a rifle of mine. I've done duels before. Now walking towards a 'physician' to check himself before the fight and hopes to speak with his opponent before starting" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Having conversed with the physician, resolving her first concern, she returned to the arena. Deciding her weapon was, by comparison, a much simpler process. She knew immediately that her options were... Limited. All the same, the decision she was forced to make was the one she would have made regardless. A spear was the weapon she was most confident with- even one unenchanted with unfamiliar magics.\n\nClaiming her weapon and taking up her position on the arena, her second concern came into focus. As she waited for her opponent to be ready, she had to consider just how likely she was to actually Win This fight, given...\n\nThat she was incapable of using her *SOUL\n\nHer body had adapted to this world more and more over the years, yes, but she still had yet to be able to actually See* Her soul- let alone use it. She had gotten along using only what magic still lay manifest in `[keen]`. But it would seem this ritual combat may... Challenge that prospect. She'd already been restricted from three weapons on that basis alone, but that wasn't the problem. \n\n\"It's a battle of the SOULs, understand?!\"\n\nThat Was the problem. If, as they had said, the SOUL was the weight behind a swing in this battle... Then she had no weight. And if they couldn't describe this kind of combat without experiencing it... Then she had no way to plan ahead for this.\n\nShe hated to Guess In combat. But here... She would have no other choice." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Walking towards the physician he notices that he missed his opponent, Damnit, I needed to talk with whoever it is I'm fighting. Now I gotta check in and hopefully talk later in the arena. Looking at the physician he tells him about the recent fights he was involved in and the damage he took in his legs and arms, he also asked if it was anything serious or if he could just go into the arena and meet his opponent\n\nLearning about the physician already healing him when he entered the area, he thinks to himself, This time period has some really weird and cool magic, I gotta learn more about this stuff when I can. Giving a hat nod to the physician he says \"Thank you wizard man\" And makes his way to the arena, spotting Gryphon standing on the other side with a spear. This doesn't seem good for me, a fight also based on a soul. Hell, I barely know how to make fire in my hands. Well let's do this. He finally thinks to himself, taking off his coat and tie, he wraps the tie tightly around his left arm to act as a bandage if necessary and tight his left hand incase he needs to fight hand to hand, he whispers to himself, \"Te veré de nuevo Bonney\" And yells out to his opponent, \"Your move!\" He shifts his position into a fighting stance ready to draw if needed" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Her gaze sharpened. She shifted from idle standby to favor her left side, the tip of her spear lifted only a foot or so off the ground. At a glance she didn't find anything particularly impressive about her opponent- he seemed to be physically weaker than her, at the least... But in a situation such as this, she couldn't assume that he was harmless.\nEspecially given the firearm, of course. It had been the first thing she'd really noticed- the way he stood inclining him to be ready to draw for it, despite his posturing for a hand-to-hand fight. Given that seemed to be his plan for things... She felt it best to start by disrupting it.\nHer first move would be a sharp lunge forward, spear trust towards her opponent's right side. An aggressive, frontal attack, with her footing set to allow for a follow-up- a movement even closer, to try and get into true melee with her opponent. The closer she could get, the more she could restrict his options of reaching for his weapon. And, should he attempt to go for it now, she was still in a position to try and contest his stance.\nHer eye wouldn't leave him for a moment." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Seeing his opponent get into position for an attack and leap forward, he immediately side steps and jump back as far as he can to get out of range of the spear deciding not to grip his revolver yet. Shit, she's fast and trained, okay keep out of reach. Bandage over one eye, blind spot maybe. He thinks to himself, deciding to take a more defensive approach with this new opponent, he lifts up his arms into a boxing style of fighting and using light foot work to move out of reach of any attack with the spear, I'm not sure if I can match her speed but just get the right chance, all I need." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "A leap back... An attempt at defense.\nIf he wanted to keep distance, than she just had all the more reason to not let him get any. He'd moved back from her, but she'd prepared for evasion- her footing given follow-through as she surged forwards again, making sure to keep her left side firmly forward- not giving him an opportunity to even attempt on her blind spot. She saw his gaze lock on the bandage. She wouldn't be letting him take advantage.\nShe would begin surging her attacks towards his left side, now- at attempt to lock him down from moving to his left. With her body, meanwhile, she kept him from advancing forwards, pushing towards him with every stab and strike.\nShe intended to box him against the edge of the ring. Given the apparent limits of his physical capabilities, she felt she could end this if she got fully into striking range- especially if she managed to get point-blank. He may have good footwork, but she could match every move he could make. Every shift of his leg, every turn of his heel was caught firmly in her vision." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Fuck, I'm almost cornered He thinks to himself seeing the barrage of attacks aimed at his left side preventing him from moving into that area, and the shifting of her body is preventing him from moving forward to get into striking distance in hand to hand. For someone blind she can see fast saw me shift into a new position and ready a stike before i got ready, let's see how fast. He immediately grabs 4 30-06 cartridges off his belt and imbues them with fire, making makeshift bombs. He throws them ahead of him hoping that the smoke and small explosions will effect her, if not then she would have to deal with the small pieces of lead and brass flying everywhere. Immediately after the cases left his hand he jumps to his right side and drops three more cases where he was, causing more explosions. While still moving he scans the surrounding area with his eyes attempting to spot anyone out of place, Main objective, find a threat to the king" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "`[keen]`\nHis motion to drop the next three cartridges would most likely be interrupted, her spear piercing through the smoke to aim right for where his leg was moving towards. The smoke he had been hoping to delay her with had hardly even registered to her- especially not to her enhanced vision. Even through the smoke she could tell where he was going, even if she hadn't been fast enough to dodge quite all of the shrapnel from the blast. She'd only been hit with smaller bits and pieces, though, and most of it had only grazed her. However fast he was, she could more than keep up.\nAny tricks he tried to pull, she could see him moving to make them faster than he could believe. Her strike aiming for his leg was intended to injure him- given she was already able to keep up with him like this, if he got any sort of wound that slowed him down, it should spell the end of this fight. Not to mention he'd just obscured his own vision in an attempt to block hers- something which hadn't affected her ability to fight him in the slightest.\nIf he was distracted trying to find something somewhere else, he'd be out of this fight faster than he thought." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Before he even got to his new position a spear tip came through the smoke, just barely fast enough to catch the movement he attempted to move his leg but wasn't fast enough, feeling the blade cut his skin he immediately grabbed the shaft of the weapon with his left hand, he quickly raised his arm imbueing it with fire and slamming down onto the shaft, if successful then he'll immediately reach for his pistol and fire two shots with his experience in both quickdrawing and marksmanship, if she tries to pull the spear away he'll pull with it and throw a punch with his right hand using his training in the AEF and experience in the wars." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Unfortunately for him, neither of his plans would be able to function.\nRather than puller her spear back for follow-up, on striking skin she instead moved for a more close-quarters move- a sweeping kick through the smoke. With his leg already hurt, not to mention his weight on her spear, another hit to his stance should be able to give her a complete upper hand. The kick was aimed to knock him entirely off-balance, relying on her full vision of him through the smoke to catch him by surprise. Given superior physical speed and strength, she felt she should be cleanly capable of doing this- and simply hoped the enchanted weapon she'd been supplied would be strong enough to withstand his assault on it. Otherwise she'd have to improvise with another weapon, most likely having to disarm him if it came down to it.\nFor now though, a sweep to the legs. If she could get him fully off-balance, Then She could focus on following up." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Feeling the shifting of the spear, and the sudden sound of air moving with her movement, he quickly let's go of the spear in his left hand and preforms a cavalry draw and fires 2 shots at the area she would be at, given that she is already in motion it would be difficult to suddenly chance movement and dodge the bullets. Knowing full well that it will hurt more and cause more blood loss, he pulls out the spear to move his position into a better more stable situation, but of course it's not impossible to dodge and he will still be at a disadvantage with his new injury and her sight" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Feeling the removal of his weight from her spear, she uses its grounded position within his leg to twist the implement, having seen him draw his weapon- intended to throw of his aim, while also altering her incoming angle to further obscure his shot angle. She's relying strongly on her advantage of vision here, given that he is still essentially firing blind at her rather nimble form. The result of both his shot and his following attempt to remove her spear would depend on just how effective her throwing off of his aim had been... If it had worked as intended, she'd be ever-closer to knocking him fully off balance." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Feeling the twisting of the spear in his leg, he let's out a pained grunt but also senses the shifting of angles and the incoming kick, for a regular person it would've thrown off their shots but William has been doing this his entire life and has the training from multiple walks of life to support his marksmanship, he shifts his own angle and fires off 2 more shots, this time imbueing them with fire placing a strong amount into both shots." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She internally tensed as he shifted his angle of aim once more- this time imbued with... What she could only assume was some portion of his SOUL. No matter the quality of his aim, however, firing in smoke is not an exact plan of action- one bullet grazing her right shoulder, with the other piercing her forearm. Despite the clear pain she was experiencing... She'd dealt with much worse before. Scoring her blow meant progressing into victory in this match- taking a few hits in order to ensure it was worth it. Her sweep kick was now nearing contact with his legs, carrying significant force given her angle of approach." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Quickly he drops down to his right knee, and lifts up his right arm once again imbued with fire magic to block the income kick, while also readying his pistol for another shot this time due to the angle, it would go through one leg and possibly graze the side of his opponent, if the kick connects then he will use it to pinpoint where he would have to shoot. \"Viva México\" He says to himself as a reminder to fight and serve" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Unfortunately for her opponent, he would seem to have miscalculated how close she was to striking him.\nBefore he could fully fall to his knees, her sweep would hit- both legs, with more of her weight hitting his uninjured leg due to her positioning. Whatever the fallout from the hit was, it would almost certainly knock him off balance, and knock his shot off-target. His arm, coated in fire magic, struck where her leg Had Been moments ago, a block too late to serve as protection.\nShe twisted to pull her spear free of his leg after her strike, intending to end this with her next follow up." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "The impact on his legs forced him to fall down onto his back, grabbing 3 casings off his belt he throws them up in the air to catch her in the insuing blast and shrapnel, while doing this he grips his revolver tighter and aims it at her person and fires 2 shots center mass. \"Señora, no quiero pelear, necesito tu ayuda.\" He says loud enough for only them both to hear and hoping that she understands Spanish. Gryphon now needs to deal with the 2 bullets flying at her center mass while the pieces of shrapnel fly at her direction too, I ain't winning this, but hopefully my plan can still work He thinks to himself, getting ready to dodge out the way and seek a new position in the center of the arena" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "It was a bold assumption that she'd be giving him a chance to Hit the ground Before her follow up\nAs the casings left his belt she had already pulled her spear fully back to her, raising it in her left arm as she braced for a downward stab at her opponent. No more sparring- fight like your life depends on it.\nAs his shots left the barrel of his revolver, her spear slammed down towards his chest- towards his Heart. They said the arena would prevent killing blows, right? Best to trust that it will. \n`[keen]`\nThe spear sharpened itself to an exact point as it moved to strike her opponent- sharper than any human or medeian hand could ever hope to accomplish. She aimed to Kill Her opponent, even if his shots landed." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "`\"...It's a bit late, isn't it?\"`\n\n...The Physician murmured. The white-cloaked, beetle-headed Medei at his side shrugged lightly, her Elytra Fluttering lightly as she did so.\n\n```\n\"Human SOULs are... Eh, a step weaker than a Medei's' I s'ppose. 'Least, lest they find their individuality.\"\n\"The Medei are much better attuned to magic, spirituality 'n-all the realm related to it.\"\n\"...Sometimes, a sharp impetus 's-all that's necessary 't bring out change, though.\"\n\"Keep 'yer eyes peeled. We might yet see someth'n beautiful today.\"```\n\n`\"Perhaps.\"`\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\n...Was it the beat of the Medeian guard, slamming their weapons against the ground once more?\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\n...No, it came from within. From within their chests.\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\n...That same cadence beat.\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nIt wasn't their Hearts,\nBut their SOULS.\n\nGryphon's spear travelled true toward her opponent's heart. It would have plunged it straight through. It Would have.\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nSharp pangs flowing throughout all the body. Heat like fire through the veins. Sulfur and brimstone in the blood. An inferno in the heart; a blaze engulfing the mind. One's whole body lit ablaze.\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nOn the edge. On the edge of life of death. On the edge of here and not.\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nOn the Edge of eternity.\n\n__`IGNITION—`__\n\nThe floor of the arena glew alight, arcane runes glittering in harmony as a spell fluoresced the world and stage a brilliant golden-red. William's SOUL* Manifest in equally-as-brilliant fashion, as all the world and space that backdropped the two duelists on the stage turned to dark, further exaggerating the brilliance of the spiritual light. Flames engulf the stage around William as he is pushed to the brink, the weakness of his SOUL Overcome by both the enchantment of the arena and his closeness to death, its projection enough to deflect the oncoming blade to his heart and protect him from certain death.\n\n\n\nThis is one's SOUL Taking shape for the first time. Primal manifestation. Incarnation.\nIt is William's SOUL, and its form by his nature decided." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Everything happened so fast but it seemed so slow, the spear moved close almost piercing his chest but then suddenly everything was bright. His body ached and his memories became stronger and vivid, all the friends he lost in battle, all the people he had to kill. The hiding from the army in the mountains of Chihuahua, to the trenches on the western front in France. To finally a face, one with soft features and blue eyes, their short hair hidden under the black hat that belongs to William, the face of Bonney the only person they ever loved, then suddenly a bang. The embers burn and the smoke clears, there sitting beside the barely conscious body of William, sat a coyote the eyes black as coal and the fur bright as fire. \"HE IS MINE TO PUNISH AND KILL NOT YOURS\" The coyote let's out a booming voice with the faint echos of cannons and anger in it's voice. It began to shifting, taking different forms ranging from big and small until finally resting on the size of William and the face of him but this entity was not him or not all of him. Shifting its gaze to look down at William, it speaks once more with poison and hatred on its tounge, \"I will not allow you the peace of Death, there are sins you must pay but I will kill you when the time has come.\" Now shifting its gaze back to Gryphon it throws a blade made of brimstone towards her, \"PICK IT UP, ITS BEEN AWHILE SINCE IVE HAD A FIGHT.\" It says with pure joy in its voice. While forming another blade and raising it towards Gryphon while William speaks, \"Lo siento bonney.\" As he passes out due to the stress the soul had on his body" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She'd hit the ground hard.\nThe degree of shock she'd felt when his soul had... Ignited like that, below her spear, was tangible.\n`Incarnation?`\nThis was a problem. She'd read about this before- someone being able to turn their soul into an object. Sometimes a living thing... Seems she'd run into the latter. Normally she wouldn't be worried about this- she'd handled strong magic before, and could certainly hold her own when fighting in comfort.\nBut her right arm was out of comission. Her adrenaline had run out with that final attack- or what was meant to be the final attack, anyway- and her right arm had gone limp. She brought herself up to one knee, using her spear in her left hand as an aid to get to her feet. She didn't even consider lifting the weapon her opponent had thrown her. She wasn't stupid enough to take someone else's magic without knowing what it did.\n\"You talk far too much when you fight.\"\nA disdainful remark as she regained her composure, retaking her initial stance from this fight- left side forwards, spear raised slightly off the ground. She was used to fighting to her own death. And surrender was something she only did against an insurmountable opponent.\nShe'd hardly call some human with a bit of magic 'insurmountable'.\nShe could feel the arena humming under her feet. This fight was going to hurt." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Looking at the new opponent in front of the creature of magic and fire, it gave a sad look on its face and lowered its arms, \"Aw you ruin all the fun of this.\" As its twisted smile returned back to its face and lifted up its blade once more, \"Now HE didn't want to fight you but me?\" Placing its hand onto its chest, \"I love a good fight and a good play.\" This is Williams' soul, more importantly, the hidden parts of it. Its tail and ears perked up and dashed forward with great speed, that same twisted smile across its face and the fire growing more intense. With each step it burned the floor and the smell of fire and burning flesh came with it, suddenly it appeared before her and slashed at her still giving enough time to make a counter, to the creature this was a game" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Faster than the person who created it.\nShe adjusted immediately to the higher speed, her eye fixed fervently on her opponent as she blocked their... Its Approach with her spear, keeping it at somewhat of a distance. If it wanted close quarters, she'd be keeping it as much at range as possible. She wouldn't win if it got in close- not in her condition." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "The smile growing on its face, it immediately said, \"I thought you wanted a fight.\" As it slashed once again this time aimed for her chest. The smell of sulfur becoming ever more present and the crooked smile growing ever more bigger with each movement. \"I haven't had this much fun since the second Battle of the Somme!\" It forms another blade and slashed at the left side of Gryphon but still giving enough time to counter, IT Wants fun" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "She wasn't here for fun. She was fighting for survival.\nEven with her vision, her wounds were slowing her down- her counter came in time but.. Just barely, parrying away the incarnation's attack. She definitely needed to keep them at range. As close to the end of her spear's striking range as possible. She wasn't sure how many more injuries she could take, even at this distance... The ache in her right arm was becoming distracting.\nShe tried not to think about how much blood she'd lost already.\nHer eye stayed fixed on the incarnation, and she refused to say a word." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "It takes a step back, watching its opponent the smile faded again, now turned into a grimace, \"You're no fun, even the people I killed gave a better fight than you, tell me how did you lose that eye? It'll be such a shame if I took out the other one.\" Finishing its sentence with joy in its voice, and the smile returning once again, this time instead of striking with its two blades, it replaced both blades with a chain made of fire and slashed at her with it, still having the devilish smile and eyes filled with hate but hidden behind, regret. \"Oh how rude of me, I never told you my name, call me coyote what's your name?\" It taking joy from the game its playing" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "It was toying with her. Of course it was.\nShe simply had to dodge the chain's lash, assuming the incarnation would simply attempt to disarm her if she blocked. Its words made her blood boil, but her outward expression reflected no change. It was trying to goad her into fighting on its terms... She wouldn't let that happen. Even should it threaten her eye, or taunt her for her injury- it didn't know anything of either of them. Her eye wasn't gone, simply wounded... Healing. She didn't use it for risk of damaging it further.\nShe still didn't respond to its questions. Her name was something of honor- something she'd earned. She wouldn't give it out so freely. Not to something like This." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "It wasn't aiming for her to block, the creature suddenly slingback the chain behind her the chain now heading to the back of her head and the fire left behind creating a small coyote charging from behind readying to bite down, the twisted smile growing more and the venom in its voice becoming more clear, \"Don't have a name let's fix that, I will call you... Lobo, that's a wonderful name.\" It continues to speak and reaches for the gun on its hip to keep the attention on itself and not what's behind." }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Her composure cracked at its statement.\nShe hadn't failed to notice the incarnation's attack- she wasn't oblivious to any movement her opponent made. It must have assumed she would have to turn around to stop the attack, taking her eyes away from it.\nIt was mistaken.\n`[keen]`\nThe back of the spear she held sharpened to a point- a javelin-like end.\nAn end she plunged through the attacking coyote behind her without skipping a beat, nor turning away.\n\"You have no right to name me.\"\nHer eye stayed fixed on the incarnation.\nShe wasn't one to be toyed with." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "The smile grew wide, \"Oh she does speak! May the lords speak it true!\" He says as he let's go of the chain and it vanishes in thin air and turns to address everyone with its booming voice. Then suddenly faster than William drew before it pulled its pistol and fires 6 shots each at some part of the body, 2 at the chest and the other 4 at each of the limps. It's smile is wide and it's loving the thrill" }, { "author": "Mythos Gryphon", "message": "Well.\nThat's that, then.\nShe was able to see it draw its pistol, certainly- it wasn't anything she hadn't seen before.\nBut... She was already hurt. Worn down by multiple injuries, and the ignition of William's SOUL.\nHer right arm was serving as nothing more than dead weight- a problem without a solution, right now.\nShe couldn't dodge six bullets at this range, with this much time. Even getting hit by one would most likely put her out of commission.\nSo- she would not go out running away.\nIn the moment between its draw and its shots, she straightened up.\nHer arm holding her spear relaxed, the tip resting on the ground lightly.\nShe would lose this fight in a dignified stance, by her own choice.\nHer eye didn't leave the incarnation as it fired." }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "BANG A shot rang out before the incarnation had the chance to fire its own pistol, it turned back to see a smoking gun held by William himself, his eyes barely open and shaking, nearly unable to lift himself on his knee. The creature begins shifting once more, growing shorter and smaller body than William has, its hair turned dark brown with streaks of dirty blonde and eyes as blue as the sky, the tail and ears now no longer visible, it's now wearing a black coat and brown pants matching its boots, \"Oh Willy you won't shoot me will you?\" It speaks in a soft and tender voice, a voice William knows too well, a voice that haunts every dream and the coyote that haunts every nightmare, it was Bonney. The creature gave a soft smile but 2 more shots rang out, BANG BANG And the entity fell, turning into dust and fading embers. Now only remain an injured Gryphon, but William didn't shift his attention but instead stared at where the entity once was, tears staining his cheeks...\"I'm sorry dear\" He says with pain in his voice only low enough for the ghosts to hear him now, as he falls back down and passes out from the pain once again unable to fight any longer\n\nWilliam loses the duel" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The duel meets its conclusion. Gryphon is its certain victor, as the Royal Physician steps into the arena — its invisible magical wall dissipating with a touch — as the flames die down, calmed by two assistants trailing alongside him. Kneeling down to William, he casts a potent magical spell to stabilize his condition, patting him on the shoulder as he does so. He does not say a word to William, who he perceives as grieving, instead giving him a solemn nod and stepping away. William's wounds would passively regenerate as he returned to a state of normality over the course of several minutes.\n\nThen approaching Gryphon, he murmurs a brief chant before hovering his hand close to her right arm. Magic courses all throughout it as it is rapidly revitalized, the Medeian magic-doctor carefully examining it with his discerning, avian eyes...\n\n`\"...Mm. You should be ready to continue fighting in about five-or-so minutes. Take a brief break, and your next duel will begin afterward.\"`\n\nAs the Physician concluded his examination, the Captain of the Custos Regni makes an announcement—" } ]	155	6,490
525.891304	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "As Rift is armed with two weapons/special pieces of equipment, \"REED\" Calderon, being unarmed. Is given his choice of up to two weapons. He takes only the shield. Rift may forfeit both of his weapons and swap his arsenal out for a single piece of equipment from the Regni Medeas' armory.\n\nRift Castaway Is chosen to begin the battle via coin-toss." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "He lets out a low sigh, walking into the arena in a loose posture, readying his mind for the upcoming trial. Upon his arm is The Aegis, and attached by its sheath at his hip, Vilethorn Was obviously present in his arsenal as well, meaning that Calderon is already at least losing the equipment battle.\n\nBut, does the equipment matter more than the one who wields it?\n\nAdopting a fighting stance, he draws a deep breath - Waiting For his opponent to make an advance on his position. As he starts to close the distance and Circle His opponent, the Clash Of Vilethorn's Hilt against the center of the Aegis Rings out twicefold, perhaps a sort of taunt to get things going." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`\"Not quick on the draw, eh? I get it...\"`\n\nThe cloaked, obsidian-scaled Medei gave a slight grin, unsheathing the shortsword at his right hip. Wielding it in his left clawed hand, he cracked his neck — in his right, he wields the Shield, an enchanted item granted by the Custos Regni. Unfamiliar with its exact workings, he wouldn't be relying on its special properties... Sword-and-board is a solid enough strategy for any a fighter. His opponent, too, understood that well!\n\n`\"Alright...\"`\n\nThe faint aspect of purple-hued mana began coursing all across his body. `Total Body Reinforcement` activates, his body strengthened by the coursing flow of a potent, passive, magical reinforcement. Squinting at Rift, he makes the first move — charging forward, his shield ahead of him the full way. The approach was not blind, however, as he peered from behind the buckler toward his opponent, strongly eyeing his arms and awaiting for a preemptive blow toward himself.\n\n*`SWING!`\n\n...Yet before he would even enter his melee range, he would sweep low to the ground, his tail swaying behind him and keeping him fully balanced as he would look to exploit a somewhat dirty trick, ducking low below what would be a comfortable position to defend from and perhaps attempting to elude Rift's line-of-sight. With quick reactions, the latter would be easy to avoid; the former would not so much be, as Calderon held his buckler directly overhead with one hand, positioned so as to block an immediate swing down upon himself, as with his left he swung a shallow, yet incredibly swift strike for Rift's shins." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "He doesn't reply. Nor does he make a pre-emptive strike.\n\nFreezing in place as his opponent makes the move and keeping his own stance solid and locked, Rift attempts to simply overwhelm the lizard out of the gate through strength alone, dropping down himself and keeping the Aegis* To protect his shins, swiftly stopping the blow. \n\nReacting to the swiftness, - despite how seemingly shallow the attack itself would have been - Rift simply Slams The shield against the tip of Reed's blade as he steps back, making full use of his strength as he attempts to Knock The blade out of his opponent's hand, or, at the very least, weaken their stance significantly through sheer magnitude of strength. Vilethorn Itself moves to block any incoming attack that may be levied against him as a result, blade glowing a faint red — small Hummmm Seemingly in reply to Rift's actions echoing off the blade itself." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`No reaction... Strong eyes...`\n`...Hm, tough nut, huh?`\n\nCalderon was watching Rift closely in his approach. His arms and his expression and his posture... It was all strong, unmoved, unperturbed. He had a habit of sizing his opponent up subconsciously within the first few moments of the battle; a habit born of both natural curiosity and tactical intrigue. He had seen Rift's type a few times before. `Tough nut as he is, he'll probably...`\n\n`...Go for a ballsy move like this, yeah...!`\n\nThe Medei's reactions were incredibly quick. Even behind his buckler, he could see the body-language of Rift flaring as his shield descended with haste, Calderon's own attack hesitating as a result of the sudden motion. That crucial moment of hesitation prevented him from immediately losing the contest of strength as Rift slammed his shield down, his blade instead clashing with the firmly-placed Aegis. Fast as his attack should have been, it was also one intended to be shallow to begin with—a minor decision that would save the one titled \"Reed\" The dishonor of being disarmed so early.\n_ _\n\nCalderon's yellow, lizardlike eyes honed as his grin shifted, half-impressed and half-burdened with the revelation that his opponent was no pushover. A tough nut indeed; his blade still reverberated, the strike as though against a solid metal wall. His tail curls, as he pulls himself back, utilizing the added dexterity that came with being able to nudge his center-of-mass by manipulating the weighty third appendage as he pleased. Calderon nodded following his retreat, giving a brief flourish as he tested his arm, before dashing back toward Rift — this time, using a more practical stance. A downward blow came upon Rift as Calderon swung a left-to-right diagonal overhead, this one much more weighty than his last attack: a dedicated strike. His movements were quick and by no means sloppy, though tricky as his first attack was. At all times, the buckler in his right hand was ahead of himself and between himself and Rift." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Rift raises an eyebrow and gives a slight shrug as Calderon checks his arm, keeping his posture as his shield returns to center-mass and not even bothering to advance. No, it seems that, in due time, Calderon would give him an opening of his own volition... He takes a measured breath, wholly un-phased by the previous attack in general as Calderon makes his second move.\n\n`He is using a lot of energy.` He notes, with Calderon obviously making haste in his next attack.\n\nSpeaking of...\n\nRift raises his shield to block the attack — taking a step back before readying a swing of his own — with his enemy's blade currently dealing with the Aegis, Rift himself is left mostly free to do with that strength as he please - the shield being the only obstacle.\n\n`More space.`\n\nRift's foot immediately rises upward, before planting itself directly on Calderon's buckler in an attempt to once again break his opponent's stance, kicking with full force as Orion, Act I Activates - his foot becoming enshrouded in flame for the duration of the kick — coming back down as he resets his stance, hopefully having made a marked improvement in positioning for himself.. Only time will tell." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "*`Clash!`\nNot all unexpected. The Aegis* Comes up, it clashes, and power is transferred from one medium to another — from Rift's arm to Calderon's own, the recoil channeling throughout his reinforced body. \n\nThough the strength difference between them was great, the passive manaflow all throughout his body closed that distance some, allowing him to loosen the tenseness of his arm in the swing upon impact without losing his holding on the blade. The recoil, as a result, is mitigated some — instead of flying back from the parry, it stays after bouncing lightly, his hand still close to the shield, enshrouded in the thin purple mana that flared at the beginning of the duel. A reinforced body. Magical reinforcement. `Total Body Reinforcement` Keeps his muscle and flesh in a heightened state. \n\nHe Would Prepare for a follow-up attack in light of this... But Rift was unfortunately just about exactly his speed, in both reactions and motion. His leg was already rising as Calderon's arm was descending, dexterously twisting to attempt to bypass his opponent's guard, and by the time Calderon could prepare to thrust that blade forward, Rift's foot had already made contact with his shield. Calderon could only cut his losses as he prepared himself for impact, skidding backward a solid distance from the sheer force of the kick — yet not entirely losing his balance. His claws, sharpened, screeched against the marble floor, vastly increasing his friction as he travelled; his tail, curling preemptively, kept him on both feet and still in fighting stance.\n\nCalderon let out a soft breath. His buckler-arm was still good. His sword-arm was still good. He was getting a better grip on Rift's strength and was learning to attune his reactions likewise. His opponent was physically stronger by a fairly significant margin, but...\n_ _\n\n`...Once I get a bit of momentum going...`\n\nHis eyes opened wide. Distanced from Rift, he slows himself down, pacing in a half-strafe and half-approach towards the opponent, trailing inward and counter-clockwise around Rift as the focal point. His shortsword in his left hand, his buckler in his right, he would approach and stay just beyond either of their effective attacking ranges as he continued to circle around in a strafe, allowing a full moment to pass without attacking. His reactions were good; his poise was good. Was his ability to adapt to a change in a fighting style good also?\n\nCalderon stepped forward, now entering Rift's striking range without hesitation. Calderon stepped forward again, his blade extended ahead of himself, prepared to parry or strike at any moment. Calderon stepped forward once more, seeing just how much he could prod Rift's unmoving poise. Calderon stepp—\n\n*`SWING—`\n\nHis blade thrusts in a quick, light, slash, up toward Rift's right thigh—\n\n`—A FEINT`\n\nHis blade pauses, ready to riposte a counterattack or capitalize on a failed parry. In hope of making an opening, his buckler-hand swings in toward Rift's center-body: a motion intended both to potentially intercept an incoming attack and strike Rift in the sternum if he let his guard down. Now Calderon's fighting-style seemed incredibly safe-yet-confident, each motion made both to attack and protect himself simultaneously." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "As Calderon steps back, Rift gladly lets him do so — attempting once again to just keep space between them at a maximum,\n\nRift steps Inward, ignoring the feint altogether even despite the strike being detrimental would it have Actually* Hit — instead Slamming His shield down upon Calderon from above — aiming to either severely injure one of Calderon's hands, or force him Downward Against Rift, giving him the momentum he so desires as he uses the step Inward To position his shield directly above Calderon's own, utilizing the larger area of the Aegis To slide his shield Through His opponent's defense to complete the attack. It seems that this idea had occurred to him regardless of Calderon's success, as Rift was Entirely Ready to bring the maneuver out using his full body weight even If The strike had landed — viewing it as an opportunity rather than a Problem. If Calderon's attack had Not Been a feint, Rift was Still Going to shove himself downward Regardless.\n\nThe blade pulses irritatedly as though it were upset that it had yet to be swung. Swiftly jutting out in front, Vilethorn Finally comes into the fray- with Rift bringing it down in a circular swing from top-right to bottom-left; swiftly deterring a followup using the blade as his shield comes plummeting down - willing to take a potential hit if it guaranteed one of his own as both hands — and that of Vilethorn's blade itself — spark with flame, the sword acting as a channel for the magic as it arcs Up Towards Calderon's sword from the lower left — Calderon's lower Right — with incredible strength behind it, once again threatening to try and disarm his opponent or Break stance With the shield flourish to wrap things up swiftly, hoping to do real Damage To the Medei to severely weaken his fighting output." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`Tough as a nut,` He thought. `Tough as a nut and composed in battle.`\n`Tough as a nut,` But not one wiling to open their own body to a blade. `Tough as a nut, and ignorant...?!`\n`No, just damned tough,` He assured himself as Aegis slammed down on his buckler-arm. `Tough as a nut and just damned tough!`\n\nAs Aegis comes crashing down, `Total Body Reinforcement` Is not enough to keep pace with Rift's sheer physical output. With some resistance — though not enough to slow it outright — his arm sails downward, caught by the slam, as Calderon grimaces slightly, his tail slithering behind him. The moment lasted only fractions-of-a-second, yet the one titled \"Reed\" Perceived it as seconds long and more: his reactions were sharp, and sharp enough to know just how tough of a spot he was in.\n\nStill, he was gaining valuable information with every clash. Calderon himself was unbound to any fighting-style, any particular set of techniques, any singular rhythm, yet Rift seemed to fall into an archetype he had encountered several times before. It was an indifferent style of fighting; a style of fighting that itself knew its user's own strengths and how to leverage them. A style of fighting that understood both technique and brute force. A technique developed on a battlefield rather than on training-grounds; a technique used by the tough and damned tough, at that.\n\nBut Calderon's arm is not brought to the ground.\n\nPurple mana seethes all throughout Calderon's body as his arm suddenly retreats, fully pulling out from beneath Aegis before it can bring it lower than about a full 50cm from where it began, a show of speed that eclipsed Rift's own for the first time in the battle. His speed is increased by 75%, bringing him to a max speed of 61 km/h, as the world around him slows to a crawl for a fraction of a second — his reactions, similarly, have skyrocketed to 80ms as the mana flares through his veins and suffuses his mind...\n_ _\n\n*`ADRENALINE RUSH`* Activates. There is no other choice. \nFor one turn, Calderon enters a state of vastly heightened speed and senses. Whereas before he matched Rift in speed and dexterity, now he transcended those limitations, the warrior before him slow — slower than him, captured in the sight of a prolonged moment within his glimmering, purple-mana-infused lizardlike irises.\n\n*__Calderon did not follow any single fighting-style—__ \n\nAs his stance recovers, his left arm explodes upward with speed as he rushes to parry Rift's strike away from his own body. He could not overpower his swing, but that did not mean he could not redirect it; and redirect it he could, even with as minimal force he put into his left hand. His wrist is a pivot, his thumb a fulcrum, and his blade both a lever and a guide. He sought, in a moment, to redirect Rift's strike overhead strike further left (Rift's* Left), and, if successful, forcing it to glide along the surface of Calderon's shortsword in his angled one-handed grip and completely around his body. A __[hanging parry](<\n_ _\n\n__—but that did not mean he did not take many of the strongest elements from some of them.__\n\nTwo of the hanging parry's greatest advantages is how little force it requires, and how potent the redirection actually is. `Total Body Reinforcement`* Allows his thumb to become a perfect fulcrum. Even despite the great gap in their strengths, he would need little more than two-thirds of his strength to redirect the blade. Yet the greatest advantage is undoubtedly this: the stronger the opponent's attack, the greater the momentum and force one can siphon from the impact in their counterstrike. As Rift's blade travels along his own, it forces his wrist to curl in, slightly, the hilt-up angle of his blade becoming more inclined the further Rift's strike travelled along it, creating a strong rotational momentum equivalent to Rift's own tremendous force. Calderon sustains this momentum as he delivers an incredibly-swift counterstrike — shallow, his blade being much shorter than Rift's — for his chin, blinding in speed due to both Adrenaline Rush And the mechanical properties of how the parry itself functioned. It would likely not be enough to cut deep into the fat of his flesh, but would certainly leave its mark if it hit.\n\nRegardless of the outcome of his counterstrike, Calderon would use the last of his single-turn with enhanced speed to tuck back, backpedaling once to avoid any followup from Rift, before returning to a poised stance, his sword ahead of himself and pointed toward Rift. *`ADRENALINE RUSH`* Enters its cooldown phase afterwards." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Rift watches in slight astonishment as his opponent's ability activates. Indeed, it is too late to stop the blade entirely, but Slowing It down is definitely the better option as Rift Steps Back, refusing to allow the strike to grant any serious damage to himself, yet still drawing a small amount of blood — the Aegis Now back at center-mass following the slight retreat, blocking the still rather-ineffective attack upon his chin by swinging his shield upon the blade; using the weight difference in the blade versus the defensive option to again attempt to disarm. \n\nAs Calderon steps back, Rift readies his stance — shield arm falling back behind himself before Winding up Like a baseball pitch as it suddenly Rockets Forward, revealing the throwing apparatus as it Lurches Forward unexpectedly, travelling directly towards Calderon's Head As Rift steps forward to Strengthen Said throw, presenting quite the scary threat.\n\nAnd yet...\n\nIf Calderon were to move to block the attack, he would find Vilethorn Travelling up below as the shield suddenly bungee-cords, pulling back just mere milliseconds away from impact as it follows its arc back to Rift's holding apparatus as the blade itself continues its ascent towards a hopefully exposed leg or stomach granted by the nature of the shield throwing..." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "Rift's slowing-of-blade in the arc of his swing and the bringing-in of the second threat — both an offensive and defensive tool, that Aegis — was showing of Rift's change-in-intent and a demonstration to switch paces at the drop of a hat; something which Calderon would duly note. But he had already gotten what he wanted in the interplay merely by striking Rift at all, forming a negligible wound and gaining that momentum he so desired, a small achievement which alone was enough to change the flow of the Medeian warrior's behavior from henceforth.\n\nThe blow strikes. It draws blood, shallow as it is. That is enough. \n\nAnother attempt to quickly disarm with a show of force and weight. \"REED\" Had caught on to this habit, and at the time still being under the effects of *`ADRENALINE RUSH`* Understood instantaneously what he could and could not afford in a contest of strength. The shield clashes upon the sword and brings a great echo of reverb as the two metal instruments collide, but the Medei is already in his retreat; the blade recoils away from the shield in an arc, as the warrior used the added dexterity brought about by the overflow of adrenaline to sway his body with the momentum of the sword, his tail unconsciously swinging in the direction his footwork shifted.\n\nHe retains the sword in his grip, albeit shifted off-course toward a more leftward retreat than intended. He flourishes the blade again ahead of himself.\n\nHis sword-arm is still good. His shield-arm is still good. Sure, there was a bruise on his right from the initial impact of the Aegis, and certainly the musculature of his left arm had been stretched more than was comfortable, but they were both still in tiptop fighting condition. Most importantly, Rift was bl—\n_ _\n\n*`FWOOM`\n\nThe shield soars toward him and he is caught in a moment where his stance is still unprepared, his feet just beginning to rest, stationary, after the explosive dodge. His instinct told him to duck beneath it, yet his logical mind tells him he is too late to make such a motion; his buckler-hand is thusly brought up, and his left foot tucks back, pressing to grant him grit against the ground. The volleyed Aegis collides against Calderon's shield as he barely manages to cross his left hand behind his right to grant it more stability, `Total Body Reinforcement`* Only with great difficulty being able to prevent his right wrist from suffering damage due to the sheer force of impact. And still it had not mitigated damage entirely, for Calderon could feel an uncomfortable tension where the shield strapped to his wrist.\n\nAs Rift approaches Calderon following the throw — a follow-up which the latter warrior understood was all but entirely a guaranteed course of action — he catches the Weavecutter's form in close approach, and the arc of his swing in a blur. A blur which seemed he was almost unable of keeping track of.\n_ _\n\nIf it were the Calderon at the beginning of the battle, he would certainly get critically struck by this tandem attack. But \"REED\" Has already attained the small amount of momentum he desired. Most importantly, Rift was bleeding. The purple mana within Calderon's body flared instinctively as the smell of blood grew closer to him. \n*`BLOODTHIRST` gains a stack, as the Medeian warrior's top speed is increased by 10% and his reaction time accelerated by 10ms.* \n\nThat increase in speed was what made the difference between him blocking and being struck. Already in a defensive stance, Calderon's body sways down, that ten-percent-much-more faster than he used to be; it is enough for his crossed arms to intercept Rift's incoming blade and block a critical strike. It is not, enough, however, to allow him a chance to counterattack or regain his footing, as he is literally put upon his backfoot, knocked backward and only held upright by the left foot he put down earlier." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "All that momentum, just to have it taken away as swiftly as it had been gained — a marked difference in speed, however slight, catches Rift's eye. But why?\n\n`Need to be careful, but assertive.` The blade glows, as though agreeing with this sentiment - a tired, soft red glow emanating from the base of the blade to the tip.\n\nAs Calderon has now ever-so-slightly had his stance weakened, Rift takes the opportunity to capitalize, Smashing His foot into Calderon's left leg from the side in an attempt to Sweep Him off of his feet, and Preparing Another attack with Vilethorn — Aegis Still securely in front to prevent any would-be attack, not that Calderon would have much of a retort in his current position. Rift steps in towards his opponent, readying a powerful yet calculated strike upon his opponent's center-mass. Even If This strike didn't meet its mark, it was intended to simply be a Distraction To the foot sweeping- whether that would be useful or not.\n\nNow, all one can do is wait as Vilethorn — as well as Rift's own leg — once again alight with fire, before — \n\nCrassshhh — the sound of the Aegis Against Calderon's buckler as Rift Shield-bashes Against the other's own defense in the midst of everything going on, attempting to put on even More Pressure than the other two strikes combined — even If Both of THOSE Had failed, at the very least one could attempt to continue weakening the enemy's position..." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`\"Hup!\"`\n\n\"REED\" Had always seen his tail as a situational third leg. As heavy and long as it was and with all the added durability added to it by `Total Body Reinforcement,` It very well could be thought of as one. As it slithered and coiled along the marble floor of the arena, Calderon, seeing as his opponent was continuing his offensive, swayed back, that great appendage serving as an ample support for his body-weight. Both of his legs were now lift completely off the ground, as the Medei warrior's entire body pivoted backward, flowing from a sloppy moment of broken poise into a back handspring with such a smoothness that could only be facilitated by the sheer length and strength of his reptilian tail. In doing so, he would consequently dodge Rift's kick and form some extra distance.\n\nIn the same tempo Calderon flipped backward, Rift stepped forward. Vilethorn was already on its way as the Medei's clawed feet tapped against the ground; yet Calderon had already predicted the weapon's approach merely hearing the stomp of the Weavecutter's boot hitting the marble floor. His reptilian eyes all-aglow with the same purple mana that upheld `Total Body Reinforcement,` \"REED\" Sees and foresees the flow of the thrust, his buckler-arm curling in as arcane energy densely suffuses it.\n\n*`CLANG!`\nThere was power and there was weight behind the swing. It would be incredibly tough for someone like Calderon to knock it off-course.\nStill, he did.\n\n`CRUSHING BLOW III - 160% OUTPUT`\n`COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS`\n_ _\n\n`Total Body Reinforcement`* Overclocks to 160% of its normal output in a single arm, amplifying his strike to almost twofold its mundane strength. With a quick and close punch, the mana suffusion is mostly enough to bring the strike Rift's full strength on impact, strongly displacing the thrust as Calderon continued to push Vilethorn further from his center-mass with the buckler parry. \n\nStill, Rift's assault is not complete, and as the Aegis comes crashing forward, the Medei warrior opts to continue his defense. In his opponent's windup, he familiarly crosses his sword-arm behind his buckler-arm to reinforce his defense, yet this time held both arms closer to the chest. He knew his arms could not tolerate repeated full-force strikes against his guard, and would opt for this weaker, yet much safer stance to save them the lingering damage. \n\n*CRASH!\n\nCalderon once more slides backward, the full of both Rift's strength and weight sending him sliding backward. Still, this type of momentum that Rift attempted to build was growing to become more familiar by the second: with some footwork, Calderon mitigates the damage to his stance as he backpedals once, then twice, anticipatively travelling with the force into a retreat following the guard. He was getting sharper by the second. Rift's attacks grew more ferocious, but Calderon's instincts and combat prowess continued to serve him well as he began to form a tighter grip on the former's technique.\n\n`\"I see you, warrior,\"`* He says, from his further distance, lowering his cross-armed stance. \nHis buckler-arm is still good. His sword-arm is still good. He flourishes his blade.\n`\"I see you and respect your strength. But I do not think I will lose,\"` He grinned.\n\n`Tough as a nut,` He thought. `Tough like a mountain, in fact.`\n`But even a mountain is cut in twain by a river.`" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "```\n\"Are you certain?\"\n\n```\n\nThe first words he had spoken the entire battle, in the form of a pointed question as he brings Vilethorn In front of himself.\n\nThis whole battle and altercation had been for One thing, and One thing __only__. Instead of pressing the fading advantage, Rift leaps Backwards, creating a few more meters of space between the two as his shield falls from his arm with a Clunk Against the marble floor,\n\n_ _\n```\n\"Overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer.\"\n\n```\n\nWith Vilethorn Placed directly between the two, and Aegis On the ground, attached only by a strange-looking metallic and seemingly quite durable Rope, Rift Flings The Aegis Using the throwing apparatus, before...\n\nBeginning to Spin. Immediately, a flame erupts from the blade he carried as it continues its arcing motion- shield in flight as an active deterrent to keep REED from attempting any sort of approach. If not to be hit by the shield, then to be tangled up in the apparatus' wire itself... Or perhaps to Allow What was to come to pass- the shield itself would prove to be difficult to cross, whizzing every which way at a surprisingly fast speed as Flame Begins to dance Rift's feet, swiftly rising to cover his legs, then the rest of his Figure, and flowing outwards as it threatens to consume part of the arena itself in a fiery Tornado.\n\n_ _\n```\n[ ACT 1 ]\n\n```" }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "There it was.\nFire.\nFire in the kick. Fire in the swing. Fire in the legs and fire in the blade. Fire was one of the elements that Rift had shown himself to be able to use since the start of the battle, and with such a readiness that it seemed a thing he could summon at will; an elemental affinity that suggested the presence of an overarching ability. That ability was on display now, unfurling before his eyes. __Act 1.__\n\n`\"Certainty is only for the foolhardy.\"`\n`\"But - yes. I am confident.\"``\n\nCalderon grinned as his yellow lizardlike irises peered sharp toward the opponent who had willingly distanced himself, his triscupid teeth slightly flaring beyond the scales about his lips. Rift's epithetical phrase did not phase him but instead stirred his bravado, his heart pumping strong as the inferno grew bright in his irises.\n\nThe ability required not only intense magical focus, but also full physical immersion from its user himself. Calderon held his blade strong ahead of himself as he widened his stance, taking the moment to observe. He would not rush in headfirst as he had at the beginning of the match. He was done testing his opponent and would now only observe and adapt, evade and ascertain. \n\n`\"...\"`\n_ _\n\nObserve, adapt. Evade, ascertain. To cut through a mountain, you must be like a river: enduring; cool and ready to adapt; yet swift and decisive in moments of opportunity. \n\n`1. Full physical immersion is necessary to maintain the technique.`\n`2. Rotation seems necessary, but be prepared to dodge a sudden change in direction.`\n`3. A wide and increasing field of range. The strength does not let up over this increased distance; its intensity and losslessness means it must be taxing on the user's body and spirit. That or it is not as strong as it seems.`\n`4. The flames are thick and obfuscate sight between us two. He could possess some sort of extrasensory perception, so I will not rely on this as a fact.`\n\n`If they grow much larger than they already are,` Calderon continued to retreat, sliughtly. `then eventually I will run out of space to evade.`\n`But if it remains at this size,` He watched intentfully, awaiting the blazing tornado that was Act 1 to cease growing — by now, following all his waiting and observation, it probably had — `then...` \n\n`I will retreat!`\n_ _\n\nAs long as he continued to tax his body with the spell, as long as he was spinning that weighty shield all-around and shifting his center-of-mass along with it, as long as the tornado's range did not cover more than the third of the arena it was now, and as long as sight between the two were broken, it would be incredibly tough for \"REED\" To be caught in its range, if ever. With the range and strength of Act 1's flames, Calderon was confident that his opponent would quickly tire himself out magically, or inevitably tire himself out physically; at this pace, his stamina would last much longer than Rift's own.\n\nThis was Calderon's greatest strength: he possessed no honor, no code, no method of battle that bound him. Any method that brought him victory was honorable and good enough as any other.\n\nThus, he retreats, eyes carefully fixed on the form of the tornado. `The shield still spins in the midst of all that,` He noted. `At any moment, it could be slung as a lethal projectile. That I must watch out for most carefully.`" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Indeed, that was certainly an option one could take — to distance himself — but would it prove useful against such an opponent?\n\nThe tornado, uninhibited, grows to its maximum size; flames swirling high into the air as the tornado begins to Move Around the arena towards Calderon — shield swinging to and fro as the flames threaten to overtake the space they both currently occupied. While he had been correct to an Extent, Rift __now__ attempts to go for a disqualification against the Medei — if he continued making his attempt to fight, while \"REED\" Balked, and this stretched on for Long enough.... \n\nSurely.\n\nYet, his opponent fails to take into account that Rift — over the course of many hard-fought battles and a slew of victories — has achieved Quite The stamina. That is, of course, foregoing the fact that Vilethorn Itself is the one keeping the tornado spinning, acting as a conduit for one's SOUL and granting the power used to wield such a formidable technique.\n\nRift, utilizing Act II Is, of course, able to surmise where REED had currently positioned himself, continuing to advance upon the position that the warrior currently upheld. And as the tornado approaches, so To Does the shield, aiming to goad Reed into one specific position as the tornado shifts; rapidly swapping rotations so that the shield acts more as 2 oppressive Walls On either side of the Medei and threatening his position further should he attempt to move out of the way with a fast strike to the side." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "His inference was correct. His opponent could not maintain an effective maximum speed as he maintained the shield in a swing. It was a simple and sound assumption, yet one Calderon felt relieved to be correct in making. With one hand about his sheathed blade and his eyes aglow with the fiery inferno before him, it is now time only to wait, retreat and repeat until his opponent has worn himself out. \n\nRetreat.\n\nThere is still much space behind him. Enough that he does not have to be worried about being pressed against one of the walls of the ring; enough that he can take his time to watch the shield, to watch the flames, and to watch Rift himself. Step back, and on this tempo, *Leap.* The shield swings beneath his legs as he dodges over it. He would take no chances trying to block it. At least, not for now. `I am at an advantage. I should not risk it all to stop the attack.`\n\nWait.\n\nThere is much time to be burned waiting for one to burn themself out. Now \"REED\" Walks not just backward, but also, at his great distance, begins to take a quicker strafe sideways, keeping himself healthily outside of the distance of __Act 1__ as he strafes about Rift and beyond the flames' reach. In this scenario, he is faster by much and may even travel around his opponent to ensure he is not pressed against a wall. Now step back, and on this tempo *Leap.* The shield again soars beneath him. `Unlike a sword, it cannot curve so easily as to hit me. A small leap is enough. Do not block it,` He reaffirms. \n_ _\n\nRetreat.\n\nHe has now has circled about a quarter-rotation around Rift while taking the time and caution to continue moving beyond his opponent's reach without overexerting himself. There is yet more space behind him. Much space. Enough that he does not have to worry about being cornered against one of the walls of the arena for much time. Step back again, and on this tempo, *Leap.* `Should it come for my head instead of my body,` Calderon squints, `then I will duck and be safe spending half the effort.`\n\nWait.\n\n`No warrior can fight forever. No magician can cast spells forever,` He thinks. `But a Medei can walk and jog for hours and hours and only need a moment to breathe.` He takes a short breath through his scaled lips. Again, step back, and on this tempo, *Leap.* `But he is surely a persevering one,` He squinted, focusing on the thermal distortion brought to the air by the flame of the tornado, the mirage shimmering before his eyes. `Still, no warrior can fight forever. Every body and every SOUL has its limits.`\n\n`To cut through a mountain, you must be like a river.`\n`I must be more perseverant.`\n\nRetreat.\n\nWait.\n\nRift could never catch him without ending the technique.\n\"REED\" Could never approach him as long as it was maintained.\n\nRetreat.\n\nWait.\n\nIt was a stalemate that slightly favored the latter fighter over the former, but by such a margin that seemed infinitesimal. Rift's stamina was nearly bottomless, yet as Calderon had correctly postulated, no warrior can fight forever. He exerted his body with every swing of the shield, and though Vilethorn Was a conduit for the Weavecutter's own SOUL, the reservoir of mana fueling it must still come from one origin or another, refining new magical energy into mana being a process taxing upon one's Spirit itself. \n_ _\n\nStill, it may take minutes or even hours to siphon that reservoir.\n\nRetreat.\n\nWait.\n\n`\"...Hmph.\"`\n`\"The long battle is neither fulfilling for you nor me, warrior.\"`\n\nThey had met an impasse. It seemed that Rift's plan to have Calderon disqualified would never meet a conclusion, for the ones watching over the battle would never intervene. Calderon had no choice but to retreat; Rift was using a technique that accomplished naught but forcing retreat upon an opponent. Who was stalling? Perhaps the latter more than the former, yet both still rode the line of what was \"Stalling\" And what was \"Fighting\".\n\nIf the battle is decided by technicality rather than by merit, then it is a battle wholly unworthy of the tradition of the *Margo Aeternitatis* To begin with. They would both lose if this continued; that was an idea that Calderon was himself familiar with, being a Medei and one versed in the ways of many warriors..\n\n`\"You cannot catch me and I cannot reach you,\"` He pointed, still stanced and slowly stepping away.\n`\"It is a frustrating thing for both of us, yes, warrior?\"` —he tucked beneath the oncoming shield.\n`\"I have a suggestion! Why do we not start again — you without the barrier of flames, and I without the running?\"`" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "While, again, that was certainly An Idea- to jump over or duck under said shield - it was spinning fairly fast.\n\nTo achieve such a motion, REED would need to be very close to the ground. If, because there was not a clarification, it was a Full-on, on all fours duck, it would be near impossible for REED to effectively clear the shield should the next course of action be a Jump Before the shield makes its mark.\n\nBut, the Medei's words have struck a chord as ACT I's tornado form disappears, the shield that was previously sweeping suddenly lurching backwards from REED's side on its way back to Rift's specialized magnet donned upon his arm. \n\nThe warrior sighs,\n\n```\n\"Very well.\"\n\n```\n\nYet, he keeps his guard up — ready for the Medei to make perhaps a dishonorable move — keeping his distance in hopes that his enemy would come to Him Instead and beginning to circle once more, as he had done at the very beginning of the duel. Should the warrior indeed progress forward, Rift had a very small idea in the back of his mind beginning to bloom... Only time would tell if it indeed would play out how he imagined it to. \n\nNo matter.\n\nAs before, the Interloper hits the butt of his sword against the shield, creating a Clanging Noise upon its metal surface.\n\n```\n\"Come, then.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "timiette", "message": "I hate how when i press tab to autocomplete it just highlights me for no reason" }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "\"REED\" Takes another soft breath from between his scaled lips as he sees the wall of flames begin to dissipate, the vortex before him calmed and his opponent prepared to fight the familiar fight of steel, flesh, and blood rather than one of attrition. Calderon did not despise dishonorable methods in his style of combat, nor did he even believe drawn-out fights to be distasteful themselves, yet this moment of mutual agreement gave him some relief — he understood that the spectators would quickly tire of repetition and that the overseers of the Regni Medeas Would find anything but a blood-pumping spectacle odious on the stage of the *Margo Aeternitatis,* What worries of a potential nullification looming over the match disappearing as the Weavecutter met him on common grounds.\n\nHe grasps his shortsword and flourishes the blade. His sword-arm is still good. His buckler-arm is still good. But the smell of blood on the air has waned. `That is not as good,` He squints slightly, but maintains a relaxed smile. `But the other things are indeed still good.` The emblematic purple mana of `Total Body Reinforcement` Again blooms off the surface of his obsidian-colored scales, as he unsheathes his sword.\n\nUnderstanding much more Rift's style of fighting, \"REED\" Has already concluded that his opponent is not the type to make the first move. `Thus, I will.` He approaches Rift, sword now wielded in his clawed left hand, and his right hand with his buckler now clutched tight with the handle in his fist. \n_ _\n\n`Battles are like stories,` He thought. `In the first chapter you know little of the characters involved. You know only their names and how they appear,` He mused, now entering a [more refined, traditional shortsword-and-buckler stance.](< His left arm and the sword within it tucked beneath behind his right elbow, which was postured slightly outward yet still close to the body, upward and close to his chin, leaned far forward with his left leg inward toward his opponent and his right a moderate distance behind himself. `But as the story goes on,` Now he was thinking to himself again, calm as he now entered Rift's striking range and slowly inching forward, `you grow to understand from the many trials they face many many more things: their character, and their past, and their inspirations, and all the things that make them who they are.`\n\n`I think I am understanding you a little better, warrior,` He locked eyes with Rift. `I am understanding you more and the battles you have fought.`\n\nHe approached, closer and closer as he could, until he might provoke Rift to strike as he pressed close against him, seeking to freely cross the gap that was the difference in their ranges, Vilethorn being a weapon longer by a margin than Calderon's simple shortsword. Though he did intend to make the first move in the renewed battle, it was not necessarily an attack, but an intent to press space against Rift and force him to act first, his buckler protecting him as he brought it closer and closer to point-blank with the Weavecutter's own guard." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "As a buckler has, at the very least, a small advantage against a long-sword — slightly negated with the presence of Rift's Own Shield — but, as REED steps forward, Rift steps Backwards, completely maintaining the extra distance provided by the longsword in comparison to Calderon's own ShortSword. Back to the basics.\n\nRift's posture changes as his hand goes to double-down on the grip upon his own sword, deciding to switch up the ideas presented previously — the shield once again drops down to the ground and exposes its metallic wiring as Rift goes for Calderon's upper-left with a two-handed Cut, leaving most of Rift's body __seemingly__ open but presenting a very threatening risk of losing immediately should sword-fighting standards not be applied correctly. By attacking this quadrant, the Weavecutter attempts to force his opponent to bring him a New Opening to exploit.\n\nAnd, as the strike is made, the Magnet In the shield's apparatus reactivates, hosting the shield Upwards To prevent any sort of counter-measure to Rift's on body as he indeed Does Make the first move that Calderon had been waiting for. Should Calderon have acted rashly and attempted a stab or cut to Rift's open position, the shield itself would be the one to catch it in its Very Swift ascent without any positioning needing to be changed by Rift." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "\"Victory will be determined in a single strike.\"\n\nThat quote dominated REED's mindscape since the moment he and Rift made their first exchange. \nRift's sword cleaves down. An overhead cut. The phrase echoes through his mind again. \nIn a match between two opponents as skilled as this,\n*Victory will be decided in a single strike.\n\nThere is a strong thirst for blood that rouses, naturally, within a swordsman, as he sees a vulnerable body before him. The stance he had taken — Prima Custodia* — was a defensive one that granted opportune thrusts and a powerful line which granted quick upward acceleration. In this stance, in this moment specifically, he would be quicker than Rift to strike... Yet Calderon understands that he still cannot take this opportunity. Even if he did land a critical blow, he understood from the risk Rift was willing to take in an earlier engagement that he was completely willing to trade strikes, confident that he was more durable and capable of physically overwhelming Calderon in a single strike. \n\nIf he cut for the leg, Rift would cut for the neck. He would die before his opponent even felt the sting of the blow.\n\n`I need to be more perseverant. More crafty.`\n_ _\n\n*—TP\nCLANG!\nCalderon takes a step further inward, matching Rift's pace and approach in his overhead strike with an approach of his own. Both his buckler and his sword rose high to break the line of the attack before the swing had reached full momentum* — the realization of which would be enough to overwhelm his defense entirely. This type of seemingly-clumsy guard was the minimum requirement for him to overcome Rift's intense strength advantage, forcing him to take suboptimal lines merely to stop the blade from reaching speed.\n\nHis guard crossed over itself. His right hand tucked ahead of his left hand as it rose, the buckler defending the outside of his furled left fist that wielded his blade as he brought the shield into a bind with Vilethorn, High enough up so that both the combatants' hands would be raised slightly above brow-level, Calderon's own hands exactly mirroring eachother in the bind such that his blade pointed up and away from his own body as he guarded. \n\nHe locked eyes with Rift again as they remained, for the moment, deadlocked. He watches as the shield rises, confirming his initial suspicion. To take that opportunity would have lost him the duel on the spot. \n\n`I see now how your weapons are exceedingly special to you. You are like the opposite of me.`\n\n`I do not care for what weapon is in my hand besides how it will bring me closer to victory.`\n`But you wield your shield because you have entrusted your life to it. And with every swing, it is as though you are proving your strength to the blade you wield.`\n\n*`\"...How profound!\"`\n\"REED\" Grins.\n\n`I made the right choice entering these duels! How profound indeed!`\n`Is trust a lever? Is faith in one's weapons enough to decide the difference between defeat and victory?`\n`Show me! Show me something I do not yet know!`\n_ _\n\nThe bind would begin to break immediately, Calderon's guard crumbling if Rift maintained force downward. There was a vast difference in strength that was hard to surmount even with technique. Yet still! He continued to fight. Yet still! He could redirect that force.\n\n`CRUSHING BLOW III - 160% OUTPUT`\n`COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS`\n\nHis buckler spirals as he brings its flat away from the edge of Vilethorn,* Curling back in so the outward Boss Of the shield would tuck under the left edge (Rift's right) of his opponent's blade, flat firmly against flat. In this position, he would begin pushing with both arms harshly right (Rift's left) to redirect the blade off-course, purple mana flaring off his scales as `Total Body Reinforcement` Momentarily granted the strength he needed to redirect Rift's force away from his central body. If successful in doing so, he would bring Rift's blade far enough that, were it to continue travelling downward, it would cleave straight past the right side of Calderon's body — and well within the comfortable defense-cone of his buckler.\n\nIt was a strong defensive action that would leave him in a favorable position with an open line to strike toward Rift's central body if he maintained the two-handed-stance, but an attack was not launched immediately from the position for fear of a sudden change in guard or a quick followup in reaction to his defensive parry." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "As the bind begins — Shield vs. Sword — Rift Does Find his blade falling to the side, as Calderon expected — a direct result of the `Crushing Blow`. \n\nAdditionally though, Calderon would be right about Rift wanting to switch off of the two-handed stance, the shield coming down immediately to defend himself as Rift reacts to the parry, letting Calderon do what he must with the buckler — \n\n```His shield is occupied.```\n\nBut, wait —\n\n```So too, is his BLADE.```\n\nAs the warrior's shield falls from the slightly overhead position, Calderon can see as Rift's shield hand bursts into flame from just underneath the metal itself, hand not required to hold the shield itself thanks to the magnetic apparatus being strong enough to reliably do that for him. It Was A strong defense from Calderon, but one that had Maybe Overcommitted itself, and one that May Have given an opening. The sword and shield are Not Rift's only weapons.\n\n```\n[ ACT III ]\n\n```\n\nAs Calderon's own shield is moving Vilethorn Down and to the side of his own body, Rift attempts to flick his wrist at the Medei, unleashing a ball of fire upon his opponent when taking into account their range as the shield sinks downward, threatening an attack while maintaining a defensive option in attempt to block off the line that Calderon had previously scouted as the shield comes down and takes back its defensive position, the fireball being Flung. But, is it going to Hit?" }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "Fire.\nFire in the kick. Fire in the swing. Fire in the legs and fire in the blade. Fire in the air all around, in a spiral, describable as a vortex or as a tornado perhaps. Fire was the primary element Rift had demonstrated himself to be able to manipulate at will from the beginning of the battle until now. It was a thing that lingered at the back of Calderon's mind yet did not strongly dictate his action in the coming clash — he had allocated the most of his focus on mitigating the overwhelming strength that Rift had displayed. \n\n He breaks from his position as his leg swings backward, full-force, as a wave of mana washes over his body, his muscles rippling to accelerate to retreat and block—\n\n—but he is a moment late.\n\nPerhaps it was his focus, fixed hard on the clash. Perhaps it was the mental burden of taking into account the swaying shield, shifting with the retention of the grappling-cord. Perhaps it was simply the intensity and the preoccupation \"REED\" Had taken on by utilizing *`Crushing Blow`* To deflect Rift's onslaught, slowing him by that fraction-of-a-second-too-long and preventing him from activating *`Adrenaline Burst`* In such short succession.Perhaps it was all of these things or none of them. Perhaps it was merely his carelessness.\n_ _\n\nThat is to say, the fireball hits.\n\nCalderon had tucked his buckler back down, but by the time the metal instrument had lowered to block the projectile, it had already travelled past his guard. The natural flinching of his body brought the flames in-line with his face, as he then adjusted further to adjust his entire head in a curl rightward, where the flames finally found connection with the left half of his face, the heat of the detonation streaking across his scaled cheek and along his lower-left eye, the rest of the outward heat travelling past his head due to the angle at which he instinctively dodged. \n\n*`Total Body Reinforcement`* Shifted to reinforce the entirety of his face shortly after the impact as he recoiled in his retreat, the lingering heat of the flames briefly sizzling against his scales before the deluge of purple-hued mana took its place to serve its purpose as a retardant to the flame. But the initial damage is still done; the scales about his eyes are singed, burned through, and his left eye remained closed as he took several steps further from Rift.\n\n`\"Hmph!\"`\n\nHe steeled himself.\n\n*\"Victory will be decided in a single blow.\"\n\nWith one eye open, Calderon locks gazes with Rift after retreating a short distance, blade still ahead of himself as he sought to create some space for himself. For a moment, an expression of anger surfaces on the Medei warrior's face, before a wave of clarity came upon him, the focus of his single eye honing.\n\n`...I cannot lose over something as simple as this.`\n\nCLATTER!\n\nCalderon relinquishes the enchanted buckler, its form clattering against the ground.\n\n`\"All right then...\"`\n\n`I'll show you,`* He thought. `My one \"Style\".`\n\nUntil now, \"REED\" Had not used a single style or series consistently, instead swapping between simple shortsword combat and traditional buckler-fencing styles. Yet as his stance shifted — as he relinquished the buckler — it portended a major change; his entir\n\nE body lowered, much lower than any typical shortsword-stance, and it only became clear what he was doing once he fully lowered himself completely to the ground, his tail swaying behind him as he placed his right hand to the ground, his left hand slinging the shortsword over his shoulder with its blade rested behind his neck.\n\n_ _\nHis weight was shifted forward, like an animal waiting to pounce.\nIt was a bestial stance, his tail visibly slithering behind him as purple mana flared all throughout his muscles.\nIt was a stance that relinquished defense entirely, yet itself demonstrated the existence of an instantaneous threat posed by the raw speed he could achieve in a single motion.\n\nThough perhaps he had already lost by his own understanding of the fight and the veracity of the following statement, it was a stance that reflected that one phrase, singular, with much clarity:\n\n*\"Victory will be decided in a single blow.\"" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "He lowers his stance as his opponent back away- Waiting, watching.\n\nVilethorn* Glows perhaps the brightest it had this entire battle, Reacting To the hit upon REED's face – The fireball worked. And, it was the first confirmed hit ON His opponent.\n\nCalderon jumps back, and- as he does so, Rift Does not Give chase once more, eyes seeming to glow under the lights of the arena as he stares down his opponent, assessing the damage and noting his opponent's sudden disability in this fight. His left eye was scorched, leaving Just The right functional. The smell of singed scales hits Rift's nose like bacon cooked on a cold, winter morning, albeit much more... Singed and flesh-like. An Opening.\n\nNot. Yet.\n\nRift watches his opponent duck down and discard his shield, admittedly a bit intrigued, but his focus is not lost upon the task at hand. Through and through, he is a knight, even if no longer by title, and one who is steadfast until the end.\n\nAgain, there Is A weakness here- one that could perhaps be exploited to win the battle.\n\nRift, as with many other times in this battle, waits for his opponent to make the first move, the plan laid out bare as Rift's body explodes into flame, the Aegis Lowering itself just enough to where it would stand on its edge upon the floor, blocking Rift's lower body and feet, but, as proven before, it could suddenly magnetize back up if need be.\n\n```\n[ ACT I ]\n\n```\n\n_ _\nHe brings Vilethorn's Blade in front of himself as he lowers himself as well, tilting the blade Downward As Calderon hopefully begins his approach. Hoping to make full use of the superior Range, as well as attempting to catch some of his own light upon the sword itself and Reflect It directly into Calderon's one good eye, Rift makes sure to lead his shot in case REED should suddenly move forward — or perhaps simply just calibration testing upon how fast REED could truly be. Vilethorn Quieting its crimson glow to allow such an idea. Wielder and blade, working as one. The weapon, that according to ancient Vestran mythos could cut through Anything As long as its wielder held the willpower to do so. Whether it was folklore or truth,\n\n__Rift is ready,__ And so too is his blade." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "\"REED\" Does not approach.\n\nIn fact, it seems the very stance he remains in suggests he never intended to approach to begin with.\n\nThe Medeian warrior's cloak draped just slightly over his brow as his single eye gazed with a piercing, subtle-purple glow, his yellow sclera darkened in the presence of the brightness of the mana, and his reptilian iris honed to a fine, acuminated point. The blade remained rested over his shoulder as he remained in-place, unmoving, a sense of focus in his gaze and body as he maintained passive in his overwhelmingly aggressive stance that seemed as though it could burst forward into an attack at any moment, holding himself neither too close nor too far. Likewise, mana coursed through his veins and throughout his flesh as he stood his ground yet did not take any more for himself, his `SOUL` Softly shimmering as `Total Body Reinforcement` Remained in a static state, neither strengthened nor weakened, yet as ready to sharply break out as \"REED\" Was himself.\n\nHe was waiting, watching.\n\nRift's attempt to blind him was ineffective, both considering the controlled light-level of the overhead lighting arrangements as well as the Medei warrior's askance angle at which he glared at Rift, his cowl making it truly hard to see whether or not his attempts had any effect.\n\nA moment passes. A subtle, slow, strong breath inward. Then a moment more passes. A stronger, faster, yet controlled breath outward. Though his stance left him shrouded in an intensely-aggressive aura, it placed little-to-no tension on his body; as he remained stationary, he remained at rest, deeply focused on the sensation of the atmosphere around him. A moment passes, and a slow, subtle, strong breath is taken inward. Then a moment more passes, and a stronger, faster, yet more controlled breath is given outward.\n\n_ _\n`One.`\n\nThe purple mana that passively permeated his body softly fluctuated. \"REED\" Briefly used his free right hand to unbutton his cloak, slowly, eye still fixed single upon Rift ahead of him.\n\n`The smell still lingers. The blood is still spilt.`\n\nInhale, exhale.\n\n`I will remember its smell. I will again feel the thirst.`\n\nInhale, exhale. Indeed, the scent still lingers: the thin scent of blood trailing through the air; the metallic scent of it evaporating off the edge of his blade; the undetectable sensation of it beading, coagulating, at the surface of the skin. The fluctuation of mana about \"REED\" Grew subtly more violent, the purple magic that suffused the whole of his body increasing in intensity as he honed in on that sensation — that invisible feeling —which he had lost in the heat of the flame.\n\n*`BLOODTHIRST - 1 STACK`\n\nHe waited and he watched, and he breathed and then waited some more, and in all his waiting, he meditated; and in all his waiting and meditation, he replenished all that he had lost in the moments prior to his injury. `Bloodthirst`* Surfaced once more as he stood his ground. He was watching, waiting, focusing, meditating, and all these things to accomplish a greater goal in a moment of idleness." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Rift remains standing, waiting patiently for his opponent to take an offensive attack which never comes.\n\nAs his opponent takes in the breaths, Rift takes note – something is in the air, but What?\n\n```\n[ ACT II ]\n\n```\n\nRift smells it, too. The smell of Blood. His opponent lies in wait, not making an offensive attack, yet undoing his Cloak- something is amiss. He eyes the cloak- perhaps something useful later, especially with it now being undone a bit... He sniffs the air, once again using the same act as before to discern What Exactly it is made out of.\n\nRift sighs, but yet his posture only relaxes slightly. His opponent will not move, so he himself must take initiative. A vexing issue when taking into comparison exactly how low his opponent currently is. No matter.\n\nRift kicks the Aegis, sending it spiraling towards Calderon's position – once again threatening a potential attack should the shield not be pulled back in time or Calderon choose not to react to the move as he moves Forward, preparing for a followup in Attempt To capitalize off of either outcome and leaving no True Indication whether the strike from the shield was indeed an attack or not. From just out of the corner of REED's untouched right eye, Rift's form shifts dramatically as Rift's right arm – on Calderon's Left – prepares to bring Vilethorn Down, but, as REED's left eye is damaged, it would be hard to discern Where The blade is coming from, and where it is poised to attack without looking directly at it. In truth, it was a Thrust Aimed to force Calderon to pick one side to escape to should he have not chosen to pounce on his attacker directly, but still with the idea that Calderon would jump to avoid the Aegis' advance his own position while leveraging the longsword's greater reach.\n\n_ _\nBut the issue presented with the Aegis __Is__ an attack. Should REED have misjudged this to be the same maneuver as before, where the shield was drawn back mere milliseconds before Rift made his attack – albeit aimed much lower this time around – he would be sorely mistaken. Rift Wants Calderon to pounce - to make good of his low stance – Rift had thrown his own guard away, right..?" }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`...Two.`\n\n`Total Body Reinforcement` And the mana that constitutes it hones, the energy coming to a calm in a light and simple shroud around his body, his moment of idleness serving as a much more useful thing than to just regain his breath.\n\nPurple mana ignites across Calderon's form, `Total Body Reinforcement` Kindling into an enhanced state from \"REED\"'s moment of inactivity. Breaking the inertness of inaction in his aggressive stance, his right hand and leg pressed harsh against the ground as he beheld the tension in his opponent's body. His singular eye was honed, honed sharp, and so sharp that it felt as though he could peer into the musculature of the one before him, a clarity in perception that allowed him an opportunity to react before there was an action to be taken.\n_ _\n\nA simple dodge left, and then a subtle step inward.\nThe stance he had taken granted him simple, eruptive speed, exhibited clearly in a small hop off the ground that granted him nearly-immediate sideward acceleration and deceleration, clearing the breadth of the potential trajectory of the shield were it not a feint. In a single, successive stroke, he would step slightly forward, accelerating quickly yet stopping just as fast, matching Rift's approach in the thrust and stopping just before the tip of the blade approached, \"REED\"'s stance now quite akin to a low sprinter's lunge: his left leg was upright, inward, yet his right leg was far outstretched behind, clawed toes curled against the marble as he maintained his lowness to the ground. \n\n\"REED\" Was wholly aware of his opponent's predispositions and characteristic strategy; the Medei warrior's mentality, progressing through this duel, was to exist perpetually in a moment of change, unpredictable, while he dug deeper into his opponent's habits. Rift's preference toward initiating assaults with his shield — particularly by launching it into an immediate followup — had been made clear most directly once before, and more subtly several times prior. And furthermore, his artifice in exploiting Calderon's lack of a second eye was a card that had earlier been placed on the table when he had attempted to angle an advantage with a reflection off of `Vilethorn.` \n\n`Like a river,` He thought.\n\nThe simple judgment one makes in the direction of their dodge can be the difference between victory and defeat.\nIn intentionally dodging left, his opponent's right-armed stance poses significantly less of a threat as the whole of Rift's oncoming body was more clearly brought into the frame of \"REED\"'s vision in the former's oncoming assault.\n\n`A river against a mountain.`\n_ _\n\nA singular image behind a single goal.\n\n*`CLINK!`\n\nInstead of fully dodging the thrust with the entirety of his body, he would press against it. His left arm curls, the shortsword in it twisting, as with his right hand, he grasps the upper half of his own shortsword's blade — in his haste, drawing blood that dripped along its edge; yet he quickly attained a strong and full grip over the thing in the following moment —, in whole attempting to support the thing as he tucked rightward and pressed the outward flat of the blade harshly against `Vilethorn,`* Preventing it from travelling further inward than the poise of his outward left arm. Both, he would hold a small distance from his face, his honed reptilian eye focused on Rift and his form in the clash.\n\n*`...KSHH...`\n\nIf successful in forcing the bind against the two blades, \"REED\" Would maintain his strong outward push on Vilethorn as he himself began to step inward, thrusting his own body toward Rift and closing the distance." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Calderon may have made a slight error.\n\nBy placing himself so close to his opponent, he has left his Back* Open for a strike, nevermind the difference in blade-length. If Calderon were to step forward- shortsword against longsword- it would have prompted a swift thrust to the head, but with the pressure of the Bind, it makes that idea certainly Risky, turning the duel into a race to see who would best who first.\n\nThe fire radiating off of Rift's skin burns even still, replacing what would have been the slight smell of Blood With the overwhelming and overpowering stench of smoke and ash. As the blades clash, Rift places his left arm above his right as he too Steps To the left, positioning himself with an open, well-established threat, but perhaps temporarily Missed By Calderon.\n\nThe Aegis, and the metallic, durable rope it employed for its return mechanism, squarely placed between Calderon's feet.\n\nWhat once was discarded returns to the fold, skittering swiftly across the ground in an arc towards the back of Calderon's kneecaps as the Weavecutter begins attempting to snake his much Longer Blade against his opponent's, utilizing the extra reach with the fact that his opponent had stepped In And willfully disregarded the extra range. His back was open, and it was an especially tricky position for Calderon to willingly put himself into. \n\nYes, Calderon had the lower stance- that much is true- but does it truly matter if he loses his footing? All it would take then would be a swift follow-up from Rift to seal the deal.." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "__*`...Three.`__\n\nHe has not.\n\n`\"Mmm...\"`\n`It should be right about...`\n\nThere is a particular reason for \"REED\"'s outstretched backleg, even in the light of his continued approach — his particular stance, like a sprinter's lunge, as he approached Rift. Initially, the Medei warrior had thought to walk the line itself to prevent its return to the Weavecutter, but in light of a newer idea and the end of a particular ability's cooldown, the attack itself presented a new opportunity for \"REED\" To take.\n\nThis, too, was something he predicted, his stance crafted particularly to defend him from this very action.\n\nThe sound of the mechanism whirring, subtly. The shifting links between his legs, sliding across the marble floor — the tautness of the rope, its level of tension, and the angle of its return to the mechanism. And finally, the sound of the shield, skittering, in its return. These small details were tells, each, and, without needing even to rely on sight, gave him a fuller understanding of the position of the shield in its approach. Each sight in his periphery and sound picked up by his sensitive reptilian ears supplemented one-another and granted wholeness to his spatial memory.\n_ _\n\n`...Now.`\n\n__ `CRUSHING BLOW V — 200% OUTPUT`__\n`COOLDOWN: 5 TURNS:`\n\n`Total Body Reinforcement`* And its purple mana flares to a physically-tangible cogency, a subtle purple glow enveloping Calderon's fully-extended-back right leg as he lifted it off the ground, utilizing the extrapolated timing from the several extraneous details portending the Aegis' Return to Intercept it before it would collide with the back of his knees. His leg, at first, begins to curl in from a fully-stretched position, as the Aegis continued in its trajectory back toward Rift, until, finally, the mana in Calderon's body coalesces, and he —\n\n__*Kicks.__\n\nAt this mana-output, his raw physical strength far eclipses Rift's own, its power honed into a singular action. The kick, pushing straight backward against the shield, was likely enough not only to draw the cord linked to Aegis* Completely stiff, counteracting its return, but also potentially to completely overwhelm the mechanism within the glove by which it was connected, recoiling the Aegis Away from Calderon, and even potentially Rift's own arm inward.\n\nDisplacing Aegis, however, would be an incredibly weighty action. One which would press equally and oppositely against \"REED\"'s own body.\n_ _\n\n`...Craftier,` He thought, grinning.\n\nIn turn, he is launched forward, springboarding with tremendous force off of Aegis, hurling his entire body forward and into Rift at a preternatural speed only further bolstered by the continuing effects of `Bloodthirst,` Its effects not hindered by the scent of soot in the air around. The act would allow him to, in a single, fraction of a moment, propel himself and his bound shortsword against the length of `Vilethorn,` Leveraging some of his inward momentum to press against the blade and keep it from pushing further in.\n\nIn attempting to snake the longsword around \"REED\"'s Calderon's guard, Rift would be bringing the thing further away from his own body — an action which the reptilian warrior would neither allow him the opportunity to react against nor rescind, as he continued to force the length of his blade along `Vilethorn` As he glided his blade closer to its hilt within a fraction of a single second.\n_ _\n\n\"REED\"'s left leg, once firm and upright, has lifted off the ground in his forwards pounce. By the time Rift would complete his repositioning leftward, the Medei's own clawed foot would curl in at breakneck speed, carried with both the velocity and incredible force-and-momentum of \"REED\"'s entire body, angled to attempt to kick Rift at an unexpected angle before he could react. If successful in doing so, the momentum of the `CRUSHING BLOW`-enhanced springboard would transfer from Calderon's body — which itself felt as though it were much tougher than just muscle and flesh, empowered by `Total Body Reinforcement` — through his own left leg, and into Rift's right shin, attempting to completely destroy his stable footing. The impact and imminence of the kick would only further be compounded if Rift was substantially pulled off-balance by the sheer force of Calderon's kick transferred through the taut cord that linked to his glove.\n\nSubsequently, and with the assumption that the kick would connect, \"REED\" Would exploit a unique feature of his physiology: the opposable claw on his foot. He would continue the momentum with a grapple against Rift's leg, digging his sharpened, obsidian-hued claws superficially-though-painfully into his flesh." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "It is unbroken.\n\nThe rope was given extreme care into how it was manufactured and with what materials were used and innovated upon in the many years it was created – a byproduct of one particular scientist's boredom and loneliness and the presence of enough funding and material to put theories to work. A special kind of unknown metal from Aelakr – of which Enigma, and said scientist, were both aware of – known locally both for its extreme flexibility and strange magnetic interaction with that of Rift's holding apparatus makes up the bulk of the shield itself, with the makeup of the string being of a material from that same alien civilization.\n\nIt adheres to the weight of the kick, stopping and providing the means for which Calderon could make his attack, the elements at play within the mechanism briefly coming to a Halt At the sudden force in which it was stopped with a Kr-cchnk-, his footing slightly crumbling—\n\nFor Rift, the world begins to move in slow-motion, as though one were viewing every single nanosecond as if it were molasses slow, sound itself becoming slow, distorted and quieter- \n\nSsssshhHHHHHNNNN- The sliding of metal upon metal.\n\nChk—vvvVVvvvvNNNNN- The sound of a Reel.\n\nBmp-bmp– chhhhnn-\n\nBmp-bmp– chhhhnn- \n\nThe beating of Rift's own Vitality.\n\nAll slowing, to a complete halt as a glow of faint red traces the outline of Rift's own vision, consuming the scene before him in a crimson glaze.\n\nThe world is still.\n\nThe world is quiet.\n\nREED, and the surrounding world, slowly fades to black as a sound catches the Weavecutter's sharp, trained ear, his hands suddenly feeling empty.\n\n_ _\n\nHe glances up, sniffing the air and catching a familiar scent- spinning on his heel in a yet-defensive manner, despite being unarmed. And as he had done so, a scene lays itself before his very eyes – brilliant, extravagant golden pillars with ornate fire pits atop them, made no doubt of the real mineral arching up towards an expertly crafted mural ceiling depicting an angel and a giant with a mountain backdrop; crimson light shining down through the stained glass and illuminating its splendor for him to see.\n\nHis eyes lower, a red, very expensive-looking carpet lined with- you guessed it - golden accent colors in a vine-shaped pattern across the outside of the carpet; it having been draped across the floor of this place - one familiar to Rift himself. A place he had done battle in many, many years ago now, against an opponent far eclipsing Calderon's own strength, Crushing Blow or not. A moment ahead of his prime, being evoked to him in his retirement...\n\nHe ponders this for a moment, remaining still and silent, before his ear twitches, a sound hitting from his back left as he turns - already knowing what – or rather, Who – would be there for him once he did." }, { "author": "Reassurance", "message": "```\n\"What do you stall for, my knight??\"\n my knight?\n\n```" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "A lady, pink, near magenta skin with white hair done up in a flowing ponytail, large ears pointed out to the side, wearing a purple hooded shawl atop her regular clothes. In stature, short and slightly chubby, wielding a pristine silver rapier and with a few potions upon her hip, overlapping her voice with another tone, deeper and more rich than her own. Upon her forehead glows a Gem, a much lighter shade of pink than her skin. A low, slightly confused mumble erupts from within the knight's throat.\n\n```\n\"What?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Reassurance", "message": "```\n\"You must be tired.\"\n\"Why do you falter?\"\n\"Are you alright..?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "A deep breath as he turns fully, facing the apparition.\n\n```\n\"I tire of the constant wielding of a sword. Yet, I continue to wield one. For that, I don't have the answer. Wielding a gun is for the younger generation. There is less and less space each day for a knight such as myself in this world.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Reassurance", "message": "```\n\"I see.\"\n\n```\n\nThe gem stands still, pointing her rapier down to the floor, stance open towards the knight as she takes a breath.\n\n```\n\"But, if given that opportunity, would you truly change your actions?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "```\n\".... No.\"\n\n\"I no longer wield this blade for my own way. I wield it for the service of others. It is that which brings me purpose, even if death will be indiscriminate when I pass.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Reassurance", "message": "The figure nods in understanding and smiles softly.\n\n```\n \"You're better now.\"\n\"You truly have changed.\"\n \"How interesting.\"\n\n\"Go forth, then. I acknowledge your grit — it would be enough.\"\n\n```\n\nHer form vanishes, Another Sound catching Rift's ears from directly behind." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Crickle-crrccklle-.\n\nDead ahead, a golden throne atop multiple steps encrusted with red gemstones – Carnelian, just as he recalled it – and, suspended in the very air itself, between the knight and the chair, crackling with fire pouring out of its Own Gemstone located at the hilt, a Ruby..." }, { "author": "The Spirit Within", "message": "_ _\n```\n failing.\nYOU ARE STRUGGLING.\n losing.\n\n```" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Vilethorn. The very blade of him and his companion's Cynical Opponent on that fateful day that felt a lifetime ago." }, { "author": "The Spirit Within", "message": "_ _\n```\n must\nI CAN HELP YOU.\n augment\n\n```" }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Its voice a cacophonic symphony of overlapping sentences, phrases, and meanings, the blade reaches out to the very depths of his `SOUL`, calling out to him – encouraging Action As it remains, floating itself in the air a few steps ahead of him.\n\nStep 1.\n\nBmp-bmp— chhhhnn..\n\nHe feels a jolting pain travel through his right shin, slowing him temporarily- but he presses on.\n\nStep 2.\n\nBmp-bmp– chhhnn-bmp-bmp-chhhhhnn- \n\nNNNNNNNNNNGGG-PAPH-PAPH-PPFFPFPFPFPPP\n\nA tension upon his arms, easing up by the second as the hurt continues pulsing through his shin, slowly feeling a singeing ache as that pain itself begins to die away, fading as fast as it came as a dull throb comes across his cheek, it too leaving swiftly.\n\nStep 3.\n\nNnnnnNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN-\n\nA quiet, almost indiscernible noise from far, far away, growing louder by the second as the Weavecutter places his hands upon the hilt, the blade suddenly jerking forward, Rift's footwork changing to match as his eyes close. \n\nIt feels that the very air around him is burning white-hot.\n\n__```\n[[[ ACT IV — BLESSING OF THE AELAKIAN RISING SUN ]]]\n\n```__\n\nRift's very skin- even faster than Calderon's own movement- turns to a rough, Glowing Exterior, tough to crash into with a kick. The wounds that had previously leaked blood - his cheek, and his shin, of which was covered mostly by the knight's Boot - are washed over; painted with the orangey-sunset and ashy-gray of Lava As the temperature of the area between the two fighters suddenly and incredibly dramatically spikes to a wild degree; the oxygen between the two seeming just mere Degrees Away from igniting.\n\n_ _\nHe quickly pivots upon an axis, his stancing mostly unphased by way of _ACT IV_'s strengthened durability and how the Aegis' System had reacted to the blow. His once two-handed stance breaks off Momentarily Into a one-handed defense as his newly freed hand - his Right - flicks its wrist upon Calderon's unharmed eye, unleashing a swift and emboldened ball of fire; his power of the throw directly affected by the Incarnation That had just granted itself to Rift, before quickly moving that very same hand to grab back the original positioning it had occupied before.\n\nThe Aegis Draws nearer to its target, ready to strike swiftly as the fighters are Locked Together, the arm wielding Vilethorn Once again bringing edge against edge as its user rotates in a swift motion, leading with his Left Leg as he moves towards his opponent's Right, tilting the angle at which Vilethorn Was operating to be one in which REED's blade would begin to slide down and far from Rift's own mass should he cut. One rapid motion." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "The Medeian warrior's reptilian eye meets the Weavecutter's own as they grow close enough in battle to hear every errant twitch of one another's muscles — both of their senses sharpened to such a refined level that it seemed as though they could perceive each molecule in one-another's body, flowing in sequence — yet did not; each had sunken into a world crafted of their own perception of the world around them, a world that was and was no longer and had not yet come to be, of memory and of past and a future not yet attained: a realm of unreality that was the world from the perspective of the mind alone. It was time captured in a bottle, the world seen through a lens: the universe in the eye of the SOUL.\n\nThe world is still.\n\n*`thump thump`\n\nThe world is both unimaginably noisy and terribly quiet.\n\n`thump thump`\n\nBlood flows through the body, as the spirit breathes forth life.\n\n`thump thump`\n\nFlesh, bone, mind and spirit — in this moment, they are one and the same. The divide between the material world and spiritual reality seems to fade away entirely.\n\n`thump thump`\n\nThe world quakes and the canvas of existence before him is made clear and white as snow. \n\n`thump thump`\n\nHis heart and SOUL* Are beating in unison.\n\n*`thump thump`\n\nIgnition.\nIgnition without effect. Ignition of the SOUL* In its purest form. \nThe arena beneath them glitters alight as the ultimate display of Ignition — the pinnacle of the Margo Aeternitatis, provoked innately by the enchantment placed upon the duel itself — burns forth. Yet it is not the effects of the arena openly on display before the spectators of the crowd.\nIt is merely the strength of two wills colliding against eachother with such force that the world itself seemed to ignite.\nPrimal ignition—two SOULS upon the edge of eternity, and the heart of the Margo Aeternitatis.\n_ _\n\n*`thump thump`\n`thump thump`\n__```thump thump```__\n\nThe image in \"REED\"'s mind is much different than the Weavecutter's own. It is neither a memory of gemstones and thrones, of those dressed and equipped with silver, of ladies clad in royal colors, of ornate pillars, halls, murals, glass, or splendor. There is no comfort, no grandeur, no sensation beneath the feet, no discernable scent nor discernable patterns amidst the world around him, and perhaps it could said not to even be a memory to begin with. There is nothing, nobody, no sensation in the body nor an association within the mind; there is no emotion evoked — the body is numb and the ears are deaf and hear nothing around — and there is no voice, of Calderon's or \"REED\"'s or of any other person or identity.\n\nAnd yet it is unimaginably noisy.\n\n```\n ᴡʜɪʀʟ... ```\n\nHis palate is empty; his vision is hazed. He cannot tell the taste the sand that encrusts his lips, nor discern whether or not he is starving, thirsty, or both.\nThe wind howls, and it carries with it flakes of loose, red sand, heat, and the ineffable dryness of an arid wasteland.\nYet he can tell neither of the dryness nor the heat, for he feels neither. As he stares down at his hands, he sees vessels of obsidian, his body of stone and his claws of crystal.\nThere is sensation without association, and the world around him is vile in emptiness, giving nothing but taking everything.\n\n```\n ᴡʜɪʀʟ... ```\n\nIt is hollow and empty.\nYet it is so Unimaginably Noisy.\n\n```\n...?\n```\n\n```\n ```\n\n```\n...```\n\nI am without language or words. I know of no concepts — of food, water, people, places, or things — and yet I think, and I think endless thoughts that I cannot give essence.\n\n```\n ```\n\nI breathe my first breath, and I step my first step — but what is a Breath?* What is a Step? \nWhere am I going? Where am I? What is Here? \nI know how to question, but I do not even know what I am questioning.\n\n```\n...?!```\n\nI ask so many questions and yet I do not have a voice. \n\n```\n...?!!!```\n\nI think thoughts without substance. I argue abstract notions that do not exist against the emptiness that is within and around me.\n\n```\n!!!!!!```\n\nI want to scream, but I do not know how to.\n\n```\n!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!```\n\nThis world is empty, and yet it is so unimaginably noisy.\nBecause all I can hear is Me.\n\n\n\n__*Why am I here?__\n\n\n\nAn endless, arid, desert wasteland, full of nothing but wind, heat, and sun. An endless horizon that turned to black as the infernal eye of the heavens closed upon the cusp all that existed before me. Ten thousand steps, and ten thousand more; a neverending and pointless cycle that gave me nothing and yet took everything. A world vile in emptiness. A world without sensation. A world without fulfillment. A world without objective. A world without ideas or emotions. A world without concept or matter.\n\n\n\n__A world where only I exist.__\n\n\n\nThe first concept I grew to understand was \"Chains\"\nThe second I learned to understand was \"Death\"\nAnd in learning the second, the third and greatest concept I came to know\nWas \"Life\".\n_ _\n\n```\n𝙄 𝙒𝘼𝙉𝙏\n𝙏𝙊 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀```\n\nWhen I met existence, it taught me my purpose in this world.\n\nI stared and saw something beyond the redness in the sand.\nI met someone. I was bound. I ate. I drank.\nI could discern between heat and cold.\nI learned the name of the Sun, and I felt what I knew then to be sand.\nI, too, was given a name. I learned my name and I learned my place.\nI worked and worked and worked. I learned to feel pain. I understood satiation, and it taught me of hunger.\nI worked and worked and continued to work more. I learned of fatigue and of tiredness, and they taught me what it was to be spirited.\nI worked and worked. I learned to speak. I learned to cry. I learned of sadness and of grief.\nI worked and I worked and I worked more.\nI felt again discontentedness, and I began to understand what emptiness truly was. \nI learned of bitterness. I learned of anger. I learned of hatred.\nI learned to steal. I learned to fight. I learned to thrive.\nI felt Happiness.* I yearned for Freedom.\nI watched some die. I watched others not.\n\nIn it, I found *Life.\n\n\n\n\n\n __`So I will live.`__\n\n_ _\nThe scent of blood is one of the main engaging factors that brings clarity to the conceptualization of `Bloodthirst`* As a technique. But the emplaced vow that spawns forth the strength of its existence is not necessarily blood, but rather the existence of an Open wound. Where fire and magma arises, blood evaporates; where once was grey flesh is now what is like stone, the body reinforced. Yet the Incarnation And its awakening does not necessitate the regeneration of his Open wounds, and neither does it necessitate greater weight. Be he physically more endurant, it does not mean his ability to retain his footing in the face of an impact whose force far outweighs his own gravity is made superior.\n\nThat is to say, his footing would continue to be challenged by the kick. \"REED\" Had carried into it the whole of not only his bodyweight, but a strength in leaping superior to Rift's own leg-strength by a significant margin (the use of a maximum-output `CRUSHING BLOW` Bringing him briefly to ~1.4x Rift's strength). In turn for continuing the kick, Calderon's scales sizzle lightly against the surface of the red-hot surface of Rift's leg, and yet it is not something he cannot bear. `Total Body Reinforcement` Is conceptually the body wholly reinforced, granting its user a mild resilience to elemental spells.\n\nOne who knew absence and absence only for much of his life knows how to grant meaning to nothingness. The changing pressure in the blade against which he clashed — the absence of that extra, resisting force against his outward push — had a meaning, discernable and clear. In the wake of the intense heat wrought by Rift's Incarnation, his SOUL Brilliantly bringing flame to the atmosphere around, \"REED\" Is again brought to the world of fullness before him.\n\nA world of fullness and of wonder, and of stories told by the battle unfolding.\n\nHe would begin to react to Rift's assault before it had even begun.\n_ _\n\nThe Medeian warrior's toothy smile that demonstrated his lizardlike fangs grew wider, as, in a moment, he discarded all hesitation. The purple mana about his body flares violently, as `Total Body Reinforcement` Resists, to a degree, the extreme ambient heat as released by Rift's body, this very same, scorching heat once a thing that \"REED\" Had learned to defeat. In the same vein of intensification, energy begins to pour out from his SOUL And throughout his mind and body both, washing over them like a dense wave of raw energy or adrenaline.\n\nRift now possessed a physical endurance and strength greater than \"REED\"'s own, yet the Medei continued to possess an innately, slightly-superior speed.\nOne that would now transcend Rift's own by an immense margin.\n\n__*`ADRENALINE RUSH`__\nFor one turn, Calderon enters a state of vastly heightened speed and senses.\n\nThis was his other ace for which he earlier prolonged a moment of wait, meditating and focusing as the seconds of the technique's cooldown period ticked away.\nHis maximum speed and reflexes — already subtly accelerated about 10% over Rift's own via the continuing effects of `Bloodlust`* — were now doubled, both buffs compounding one upon another; and not only that, his raw, accelerative force would roughly be Tripled.\n_ _\n\n\"Momentarily\".\n\nRift's right hand had only left his blade momentarily, yet \"REED\" Had felt it in the moment of time now flowing at a halved rate before him in an instant. It was something he had mentally predicted and physically anticipated, as aforementioned, due to the resistive pressure against his shortsword beginning to wane.\n\nIt was only momentarily, but one moment was all he needed.\n\nUpon Rift's hand leaving his blade, \"REED\"'s own does as well. His left hand, once upon the handle, is removed, leaving only the resistance of his right hand upon the tip of the blade to continue pressing against `Vilethorn's` Form. His resistive power, in doing this, is made tremendously weaker than Rift's own, and it is for this purpose he waited for his opponent to release his two-handed grip.\n_ _\n\nHis action happens simultaneously-to-almost-preemptively, though more than twice as fast than the former's. Simultaneously, utilizing his grip on Rift's right leg — a grapple \"REED\" Maintained at the cost of the burning of his own left foot — he pulled himself inward, tugging on a continued grip that would maintain whether his opponent's stance was broken or not. It carried him with the same, explosive, unbelievable accelerative force that the combined abilities of `Total Body Reinforcement,` `Bloodlust`, and `Adrenaline Rush` Manifested — the culmination of the collective efforts he had been making to achieve momentum in this duel. With these, he carried himself even closer into Rift's body, avoiding the arc of the oncoming fireball entirely by bringing himself so immensely close — he would bring himself almost pressed against Rift's body, his head tucking inward and around and past the right side (Calderon's right) of the guard of `Vilethorn,` That blade the Weavecutter wielded, the tremendous heat pouring forth from it scalding against his face, already deeply wounded by a burn upon its left half.\n_ _\n\nYet his free left hand travelled with an even greater force and momentum inward, crossing over his right — toward Rift's eyes.\nTwo clawed fingers outstretch, and by stealing Rift's tempo by taking his action simultaneous with the beginning of Rift's own assault, he hoped to steal away his ability to react, as well.\n\n*`I will live.`\n`In the face of the Sun, I will live.`\n`I will live, and I will live fully. I will live no matter what.`\n\nHis claws encroach with unimaginable speed in an attempt to take out both of Rift's eyes.\n\nYet that would just be the beginning of his assault.\nIn any amount of time Rift could take a single action, \"REED\", empowered by both `Bloodthirst`* And *`ADRENALINE RUSH`,* Could take two.\n\nHe operated on the same tempo as Rift. As Rift's hand would return, \"REED\"'s had already found its place again on the handle of his sword, reeling back from the attempt to blind Rift — be it successful or not — once again fully supporting the weight of his blade against `Vilethorn.` His attempt to reposition his blade would mostly be ineffective; \"REED\"'s shortsword, between the two, was on the inside of the bind, not outside, itself having earlier deflected the oncoming thrust outward to take the defensive position. The Weavecutter had sacrificed central tension to protect himself from a cutting motion, leaving a wide vulnerability in his guard. Regardless of the rotation or the reangling of the blade Rift might attempt, it would ultimately pivot against the shortsword, which remained centric in the bind; to attempt to pivot it to reangle a cut would only leave him significantly more vulnerable to a thrust.\n\nThus thrust \"REED\" Would. With the second of his two motions, he stabs decisively inward toward Rift's center-mass." }, { "author": "Rift Castaway, the Weavecutter", "message": "Decisive indeed. But not in the definition of an outright winning strike.\n\nVVVvVvvVVvVvvVVVVNNNNNNNNnnNNNNnnnNn\n\nIt is not so much a Spell. It is instead a sudden, temporary, genetic alteration in Rift's very Being, spurred on by a sudden influx of energy towards the emblem, Orion, from the gem upon Vilethorn, who then disperses and uses the energy accordingly. The Incarnation, then, can be thought of more as a unification of three beings. Rift being the host, Orion Being the beating heart of the operation, and Vilethorn Being an auxiliary energy core. It is reminiscent to that of a Vestranimi-Interloper Fusion. Perhaps there is more than meets the eye to that peculiar ruby...\n\nThe Pivot Was deep, despite its hastiness. It had been intentional from the very beginning to wait for an opportunity such as this. By moving with Rift, Calderon had turned far more to the Right Than Rift to the left, should he indeed have kept his claw lodged in Rift's foot.\n\nAs Calderon's claw Reels Towards Rift's face, he ducks back, the positioning of Vilethorn Suddenly changing as Rift brings his left arm out Just A bit–\n\nVWOM-cHnK-\n\nThe Magnet Inside of the holding apparatus engages, the Aegis Suddenly snapping into place at breakneck speed - as attracting magnets Should, of course - and with immense structural rigidity between the metals being employed. The rope that Calderon had been made to step away from had continued to bring the shield Closer With each passing millisecond, not caring for whether or not the Medei were in its way or Not.\n\n_ _\nIn this very same moment that Calderon's claw begins its motion, the Aegis Returns to Rift's hand as he moves its protective surface to block, both pushing Calderon's blade out of the way, and crashing the full weight of the shield into Calderon's hand, preventing such a swift maneuver from being threatened. As his opponent thrusts, it is well within the Aegis' reach and capability to block the attack.\n\n\"Victory will be decided in a single blow.\"\n\nVilethorn Flashes red – blood red – as Rift, with his strength and control over his opponent's footing – him having tied his foot to the knight's Shin, forcing his foot to adopt a strange positioning each time Rift moves it, as he is forced to go along – pushes inward with his Incarnation's strength and durability, letting out a loud yell as he powers through, pulling his right foot Back And into the Aegis.\n\nVilethorn, on the other hand, disengages the attack, going for a Very Low One-handed Thrust of its own on Calderon's offside leg using Rift's Right Hand." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`ssp`\n\nUnimaginable speed.\nWith *`ADRENALINE RUSH`* Active and making Reed 2.4x faster than what would be considered possible for peak human physiology, Rift's ability to react — let alone dodge in such a confident manner — would be tested. In truth, the Medei warrior's arm would go from fully-unextended to fully-extended in the impossibly-quick period of __seventy milliseconds__, its pace heightened leagues beyond that of even the pinnacle of human dexterity, exceeding Rift's ability to react by more than two times. In attempting to dodge the gouge at his eyes wholly and with his senses and reactions rather than relying purely on his instinct and his instinct alone, Rift would critically underestimate \"REED\"'s sheer accelerative capacity. *`ADRENALINE RUSH`* Made him more than twice as fast as Rift.\n\n`You are unwilling to give up anything.`\nThe Weavecutter's vision is washed red, as pain pangs his skull, the light of the world fading quietly into the obscurity of crimson. \"REED\"'s clawed fingers return, bloodied, wrapping around the handle of his blade, as two more stacks of `Bloodthirst` Are added to tally to a total of four. His claws would have already pierced into his eyes by the time Rift had begun ducking his head backward.\n\n`And that is why you will lose everything.`\nHis mistake was held in attempting to avoid the blow entirely.\n_ _\n\n\"REED\" Would not move with Rift.\nThe Weavecutter's footing was not as steady as he had thought. As Rift had taken no special measures to restabilize himself after \"REED\" Had just crashed into his leg with the whole of his own bodyweight propelled by a strength superior by 1.4x to Rift's own, he had misjudged, or perhaps entirely ignored, the sheer force Medei warrior's inward kick, as it earlier shot Rift's foot out from under him, the Medei having then strongly tugged upon his opponent's ungrounded leg back in toward himself in order to both pull himself in for the attack on his eyes and to prevent his opponent from easily regaining his footing. As aforementioned, his Incarnation may have granted him greater endurance, but neither greater weight nor greater friction — and thus, taking no special reaction to the kick, he was, in a moment, stance-broken, his foot forced off the ground and there suspended momentarily by the grip \"REED\" Maintained on his leg. His ability to shift and pivot would therefore be hindered for a moment longer; \"REED would be taken nowhere by Rift's motion, as it could not have been made in the first place.\n\n \nIn the very same moment that the `Aegis` Began its motion back to Rift's hand — it being a reactive action taking place during the period of time the effects of *`ADRENALINE RUSH.`\n_ _\n\nHis body shifted left, inward, and downward to entirely avoid the shield's return, as \"REED\" Leaned forward and again pulled himself by tugging on the grappled leg to tuck below `Vilethorn`. In the same motion, his hand pulled backward as he disengaged his thrust halfway, drawing away and dodging the arc of the shieldbash. He switched to a traditional two-handed stance from his earlier half-sword stance, his right hand relinquishing its grip on the edge of the blade and pulling back to rest with his left upon the handle of the shortsword, which he pivoted and now more shallowly pressed in the bind against `Vilethorn`. From this position, his body completely tucked beneath the longsword, his sword leveraged at an angle over the back of his head in order to prevent the descent of the blade upon his moving body. The motion was smooth, impossibly fast, and impossibly low, having taken place earlier as \"REED\" Reacted to a reaction of Rift's own, the then-persisting effects of `ADRENALINE RUSH`* Meaning he could both foresee and meet any action taken by the Weavecutter with at least two of his own. In summary, the action would leave him on the outside of the bind and to Rift's right in a single motion, \"REED\"'s sword angled downward and the flat of its blade pressed against the outside of his own right forearm (\"REED\" Released the two-handed stance after he passed beneath the blade), the latter of which was used to support his stance in a continued bind pushing towards his right and against `Vilethorn`.\n _ _\n\nAs Rift's grappled leg began to pull back toward and beyond `Aegis` (at this point in time, the knight would likely regain his footing), the Medei, at the inception of the inward force, released his grip on the knight's leg. The scales of his underfoot were then briefly revealed, flaked and scorched at their edges as his outer skin had been reduced to a meld of cauterized deep-red and charred black — the heat had penetrated deep, suffusing all of the thickness of the epidermis and dermis beneath. The conflagration had dug deeper for each second Calderon had fought against the pain to maintain his strong grip, yet the shroud that was `Total Body Reinforcement` Owed itself well toward protection against the complete destruction of the limb as caused by extreme heat; his fat, muscle, and bone remained mostly in-tact to moderately-damaged, at most. His foot was by no means in healthy condition, but what strength in mana \"REED\" Reinforced it with allowed for its continued use — at an impaired rate, granted — as a functional appendage, at least for the time being. What had become of his eye earlier was the result of a moment of carelessness and a critical blow upon a tender spot of the body, and he would not allow his leg to succumb to a similar fate.\n_ _\n\nThus Rift would possess no sway over \"REED\"'s stance. From the moment he had taken his opponent's eyes onward, the Medei warrior shifted his goals entirely. Four total stacks of `Bloodthirst` Brought him to a state of passively-enhanced speed almost exactly 1.4 times faster than his opponent even without the effects of *`ADRENALINE RUSH`, the volatile waves of purple mana enshrouding his body flaring, subtly, in accordance with his elevated speed, allowing him to again foresee the motion of his opponent's attack in the very same moment it began to occur. `Vilethorn`* Was beginning to disengage from the attack, yet \"REED\" Would not let it — as the red-hot metal slid against metal, the Medei thrust his body inward with a powerful left step while maintaining the flat of his shortsword against the length of the longsword, again pushing close toward Rift as the knight, too, pushed inward; the Medei warrior, however, would be angling himself such that, timed correctly, he would slip past his opponent's right entirely.\n_ _\n\nThat would not be until after he had launched an attack himself, however. From the angle \"REED\" Leverages `Vilethorn` While it descended in its exceedingly-low thrust, he deflects it away from his own leg much akin to how he had engaged earlier, though this time leaning much of his bodyweight into the closer quarter of the Weavecutter's blade as he drew nearly point-blank with his opponent. It is in that quarter-of-a-second as \"REED\"'s shortsword slid with immense speed toward the crossguard of the longsword that he utilized his enhanced dexterity to shift grips — from left-handed to right-handed — the shortsword now in a reverse grip. The Medei's body, still pushing forward, simultaneously thrust downward, his tail tucking between his legs as he transitioned into a forward slide just prior to actually passing-by the knight. He withdrew the shortsword from the bind entirely, pulling it far to the left (Calderon's left), downward, and around the clearance of the `Aegis`, before rapidly stabbing it back in toward the right side (Rift's right) of the knight's retreated right leg, all successively as he continued his sliding motion.\n\n_ _\nHis intent was to wholly bypass Rift's guard and to skewer the side of his leg around the anterior knee region with a rapid thrust, targeting a nigh-indefensible location for a blinded target with intent to cripple: a sudden attack whose success would be further leveraged toward by his considerable, continuing speed advantage. Were it to successfully hit and pierce into the leg, \"REED\"'s full-body momentum, including his forwards and downward velocity coming into the slide, would be further employed — before he ultimately came to a standstill to the right of and behind Rift — utilizing it, upon a successful stab, to rapidly slice diagonally down through the tissue that stood between it and its exit through the back of the calf in an attempt to strike a critical artery and sever a majority of the bulk of the calf muscles." } ]	358	24,191
331.536585	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "As Max Bracken is armed with a single weapon/special piece of equipment, Sofja is given the chance to withdraw one weapon from the armory, as she is presently unarmed. Sofja is given her choice of up to two weapons. Of the four choices, she picks the Bow. Max Bracken may withdraw a single weapon from the armory if he forfeits his Dark Blade.\n\nMax Bracken Is chosen to begin the battle via coin-toss." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He walked in somewhat calm, it seems he refused to take another weapon, his skin had become rock solid and he had grown to be twice his original size, boney protrusions stuck out of his back as the dark blade shot out of his right arm, he didn't immediately attack tho, even when aggressive he still gives them the chance to run away, he only growled and showed Sofja a row of big white teeth." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "Sofja grins as Max attempts to provoke her. Bouncing lightly on her feet, she seemed incredibly light-footed, the arrowless bow in the clutch of her right hand. Seeing as Max would not make the first move, she opts to take the opportunity for herself, a swirling mass of red-and-blue magical energy coalescing in her left hand. Shards of ethereal mana scatter around her as she prepares an illusory spell, charging in the absence of Max's action.\n\nWith the spell prepared, she places her hand against the ground, its strange mana outflowing all throughout the arena around her. A five-meter radius illusory ability unfolds, as the false image of trees, bushes, and a forested environment manifests around her. `The Stage, Set` Is now active, encompassing both Max and Sofja herself, enshrouding them within an illusory domain.\n\nStill at her safe distance, Sofja's grin grows.\n\n`\"Good luck, big guy.\"`\n\nShe flashes a subtle thumbs up, before placing her finger to the bowstring of the enchanted weapon she was granted. An ethereal mana-arrow forms in her fingertips, as she hurls the projectile directly toward Max." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Since Sofja didn't take his kind offer to leave, IT fully took over and roared at her, it watched as she used something to turn the stage into some kind of forest, but it didn't seem to care much as it showed it's teeth to her and growled. It then swung the dark blade to try and block the projectile, if successful it'd immediately rush at Sofja and perform a vertical slash full force with the blade to try and slice her in half." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "As he cut the arrow in half, Sofja shrugs, still smiling. The bow in her right hand, she does not react as Max comes closer and closer; her eyes, however, are fixed strongly on his straightforward approach, awaiting for the most pivotal movement—\n\n*SWING!\n\n—`there!`\n\nAs the blade comes up to attempt to cleave her form asunder, Sofja step-dashes, accelerating instantaneously to 20 km/h sideways to barely dodge the cleave. With her right hand still loosely gripping the form of the bow, she continues sideways, turning to face Max while backstepping, continuing in her momentum. Extending the left and middle finger of her left hand to form a simple seal, Sofja spends a charge of `Shadow Fade`, dissipating into crystals of ethereal, illusory energy — vanishing. She had disappeared in a fraction of a second, fading away into the illusory surroundings of the forest...\n\n`TAP, TAP, TAP...`\n\nMax can hear footsteps flanking him... To his right... Just out of distance... Now behind him?\nThen, bursting forward from invisibility—Sofja, emerging from a flash of ethereal energy, wielding a dagger, dashing toward him to plunge it into his back if he did not turn in time." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "It didn't chase her as she sidestepped or as she was back stepping away from it, what did surprise it was when she disappeared in an instant, it didn't know humans could even do that, then again it's six IQ points higher than butter so it doesn't understand allot, it growled and looked around it's eye becoming bigger before shifting to an angry expression while gritting it's teeth. Then it heard the footsteps, all around it heard the footsteps, it confused it a great deal, but upon her bursting from her invisibility spikes shot out of it's head as it turned around and used the blade to block Sofja, it then went to grab her with it's left hand." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "The spikes pierce through Sofja's body, clean, each leaving a hole the exact size of the spike! The grab itself tears her neck apart, as she is, in a moment, destroyed—shattering into crystals—\n\n...Crystals?\n\nThe \"Sofja\" That had attacked Max from behind was, in fact, Not Sofja.* An Illusion. It breaks apart at the slightest touch, its form ephemeral, illusory, and not at all cogent, shattering into no more than crystals as it was assailed. `RISING TENSION` Increases by 1 stack.\n\nBreaking from the effects of `Shadow Fade`, Sofja rematerializes — having never dashed in for a sudden attack at all, stood directly ahead of Max. Utilizing *`Solo`* Simultaneous as she begins remanifesting, she tail-ends one ability after another, accelerating to an incredible pace of almost 60km/h in a mere second, as her opponent remains in a moment of recovery from attempting to grab an illusory clone. Her strike would be incredibly shallow if it hit — inflicting no more than a light scratch or maybe a small laceration across Max's skin — as she intended to glide straight past him following the strike.\n\nWere all her motions successful, she would end up about 3 meters away from and behind Max, having cut him across the lower-left torso, gliding straight past, and gaining an extra 2 stacks of `RISING TENSION`, totaling her at 3." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "It watched as the thing it thought was Sofja crumbled into crystals, it thought it had actually killed her but it was saddened by the fact it couldn't eat an arm or two, it was completely oblivious to Sofja appearing Infront of it, upon her striking it, it's eyes widened and spikes shot upwards out of it's head before slowly retracting, it stood there confused not only because the hit didn't even hurt but it was surprised she was actually alive, it then retracted its arm blade before rushing at her, putting it's hands together and raising them above his head before swiftly bringing them down full force in an attempt to crush her like a pancake." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "Sofja was quick, shifty, aware of her surroundings, and incredibly tricky. She hadn't stopped smiling since the battle begun, toting the enchanted bow around as though it were some sort of instrument, entirely unperturbed by what danger encompassed the looming figure that was Max. She twirled the dagger in her right hand, giving a slight bow to the audience as she completed her `Solo`, closing one eye in a wink as the other remained slightly open and fixed on her opponent. The short, fae-eared woman played the role of a silent entertainer in a duel that was the closest one could get to a battle-to-the-death without the actual \"Death\" Part.\n\n`\"Heh.\"`\n\nAs he was, he was far too predictable. Her opponent was straightforward, murderous, and with no intent to veil the intentions behind his attack. She, on the other hand, was twice as fleet-of-foot as the average person, and four times as crafty. She didn't need magic to dodge his attacks, for he was slower than her innately. She didn't need to put much preemptive thought into dodging, as her reactions alone were enough to see through his uncalculated actions.\n\n*`SWING AND A MISS.`\n_ _\n\nSofja tucks to the side of her opponent, curving in closer to him as his blade swung clean past her. She did not fear a sudden follow-up, seeing as Max had put his hands together; if he were to take a swipe at her, it would be one thing far too telegraphed to take her by surprise. Testing fate, she slides straight past Max, almost point-blank with him, before swiftly dashing away from him, tucking into the illusory surroundings that was `The Stage, Set.`* She would vanish into the foliage, scarce giving him a chance to pursue her.\n\n*`PEW!`\n\n—A crystalline arrow fires from one of the illusory bushes, launching towards Max spontaneously from a random angle. It being made of an ethereal energy, and Sofja neither being familiar with a bow nor capable of maximizing the effects of the enchanted weapon's ability, would likely not pierce deep if it actually hit; instead likely only leaving a moderately-sized cut where it landed.\n\nA crafty, dodgy, illusory, evasive warrior. She was almost Max's exact opposite, and perhaps a terrible match-up for him all-around. That was, unless he got a hold of her..." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "It's movements were barely thought out and full of anger, it's hunger driving it damn near insane causing even more aggression, but it seems it started to get a grip on itself, it knew it couldn't win like this, but it didn't know what it could do.\n\nIt was in mid thought as the arrow it in the shoulder and snapped it out of it's docile state, it then started to roar, but it suddenly stopped, the protrusions on it's back began to twitch violently as it began to slowly back up, the dark blade shooting out of it's right arm as it growled and looked around, it wasn't running, it had learned from it's past mistakes fairly quickly, it's looking around, listening for an attack of any kind." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "The bushes, though illusory, shift. The bushes, though merely an image, twitch in the wind, rustling, each as though something moved within. Though they were not real, though they could not be touched, something real stirred within them; something tangible brushed against them. `The Stage, Set`* Sparks to life — the forest around seethes with activity.\n\n`To the left.`\n`From behind.`\n`Ahead by three meters.`\n`In the tree above.`\n`In the bush below.`\n\nThis stage was Sofja's own. It was her own domain within the arena: an illusory territory she controlled at her whims. Max was at an innate disadvantage just by standing within it, for it made tracking her movements a nightmare unto itself.\n\n`Just infront of him now.`\n`Just behind him now.`\n`To the left.`\n`To the right.`\n_ _\n\nThe shifting images and movements within the bushes spiraled around Max as their epicenter. There were, trailing all around him, the sounds and sights of movements more than one individual, no matter how fast, could muster alone. It seemed as though there were three Sofjas dashing amidst the false foliage of `The Stage, Set.` She was raised the tension and heightened anticipation — seeking to draw unease, confusion, or perhaps anger from her opponent. She would elicit as much drama as she could from this battle, theatrics intrinsic to her existence.\n\n`To the left.`\n`To the right.`\n`Behind him, immediately.`\n\nNo more did she dodge and hide amidst bushes, nor did she rely upon harassing him with ranged attacks. All at once, three images of Sofja burst from the illusory stage surrounding Max — one behind him, one to his left, and one to his right — each exactly synchronized in a single, identical motion. Daggers drawn, breaking forward from an illusion, each of the Sofjas dashed toward Max at their center. One, or perhaps none of them at all, were the true Sofja, and eroding the distinction between the two until there was no distinction at all was this entertainer's area of expertise. Yet all three approach max quickly, the bow hoisted over their shoulders, and the dagger wielded with both hands, bursting forward in a strong thrust toward their target simultaneously.\n\n__A one-in-three chance to guess which Sofja was the true Sofja and block her attack... Or were they all fakes?__" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "It watched and listened as the bushes moved along with listening to it's surroundings, it'd have to start attacking again eventually as it didn't know what would happen if it lost, it fights to kill and eat it's never fought anything like this before, this person speeding around the place, their constant grin that made the shadow angry with each look at it, it wanted to crush her with every ounce of strength it had, it's hate for her causing the spikes on it's back to twitch, spikes shot out of it's head from all over as it heard the footsteps to it's right, left and behind it.\n\nWith it's sword out and still facing the same direction, it allowed them to get close, it then moved it's right foot to where it was facing it's right, it then raised its right arm to it's left side and spun around to deliver a full force horizontal slash in an attempt to hit all of them." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "*CLASH!\n`Fade.`\nSwoosh!-\n\nMax's blade contacts with the dagger of the Sofja immediately to Max's left, as she scarcely manages to raise the weapon to block the tremendously-powerful oncoming attack. Her weak stance allowed much of the force to still transmit through the dagger and into both of her arms — one crossed behind another — flinging her backward violently; she had neither the weight nor the strength to resist her opponent with even the fortitude of an average person, who was fourfold stronger than a normal human could even get, himself. She slides backwards before losing her footing, tumbling into the foliage of `The Stage, Set`* Within whose illusory surroundings disappeared. Max had landed a clean blow...\n\n...Right?\n\nHis blade continued. It cut through the obvious illusion — the Sofja infront of him. And certainly, it should have passed straight through the third Sofja, yet one more who would be confirmed to be an illusion: the one to his right. \n\nBut it did not.\n_ _\n\nShe ducked beneath the blade and intentionally dodged, her movements now independent of the Sofja that Max had struck and the illusion that was now reduced to a fading image of ephemeral crystals. She swept inward, seeking to land a quick and clean blow with her dagger, which was, unbelievably, physical, and not an illusion.\n\nAnd yet upon adjusting one's sights to confirm that the Sofja on the left was, in fact, not an illusion, one amidst the spectators would note that she was slowly rising from amidst the foliage, red-and-blue magical energy seething off of her form. With a limp wrist and a great, freshly-formed bruise across her forearm, it seemed she had suffered intense damage despite blocking — a fractured wrist and a major contusion within the arm. She was Sofja, true—\n\n—for both the Sofjas were physical and not illusions.\n\n__*`INCARNATION: DUPLICITY`__\n\nA red-and-blue `SOUL.`* Two halves in perfect harmony. One nestled and manifest in the chest of the injured Sofja, and one nestled and manifest in the chest of the Sofja who now exploited Max's moment of recovery from his hefty swing, taking a quick and clean swipe toward his leg (she being only 4'11 having very little trouble targetting Max's lower body) with her dagger, before making a quick retreat attempt to step-dash away and out of his melee range, seeking to tuck back into the illusory forest beyond.\n\n`CURRENT STACKS OF RISING TENSION: 6`" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "It had hit her, finally it had hit the woman who was toying with it from the beginning of this match it's angry look turning into a sinister smile, but then the other Sofja had dodged it's swing, it didn't pay attention to her but then it came at him. But how I thought I had finally hit her, I thought I had finally gotten my revenge why is it still attacking, and with it's carelessness while being in thought it gave the other Sofja the chance to hit it in the leg with her dagger.\n\nIt roared in anger, it's fight seemingly nothing more than a show to her, it's blood boiled at this thought, it swung so many times and yet it had only hit her once, it's smile turned back into an angry expression but it's eyes flickered out, the blade retracted and it started to run at the injured Sofja still roaring in anger, it's so close to finally killing her, it needed the flesh, it's hunger grew and so did it's anger, but instead of it's usual slow and hard punches, it did a two much faster one's with it's left going first and then it's right going second, they were less powerful by a ton, but would still do damage if it hit." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "The Sofja that Max had left behind to pursue the injured Sofja twirls her dagger, the shoulder-slung bow markedly missing from her person. Contrariwise, the Sofja dashing through the illusory forest carried the thing precariously as she tucked between illusory-object-after-illusory-object, the appearance of `The Stage, Set,` Shimmering in her wake as she consciously shifted the appearance of her surroundings. \n\nAs Max followed, branches descended and leaves swayed ahead of him, bushes always seemed to be between him and Sofja, and entire false trees seemed to sprout up from nothing as she led him round-and-round, in circles. This illusory realm was her domain, yet it did not travel on indefinitely; she was keeping him herded within its midst while also earnestly attempting to avoid a direct fight with him. There was, however, a slight issue: Max's top speed was somewhat higher than her own. She couldn't keep him on her tail forever.\n\n*`Shimmer...`\n\nHer form turns ephemeral, as, emerging off her body, several illusions form — copy-images of herself — each branching off in different directions. At the moment of creation, Sofja herself was obfuscated by an illusory bush which she tucked into: Max was then left with three choices: to pursue one of three Sofjas, once more. One to the Left,* One down the Center, And one to the Right." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "It's hunger was endless and driving it mad, it had tried to eat before hand but it didn't help, if it had gotten it's hands on Sofja she would've been a very light snack for it, it didn't come here for any kind of fight for fun, it saw this as life or death cause that's how it saw every fight, it thought if it lost it'd be done for, this person making it into some kind of show angered it.\n\nIt rushed at Sofja with it's hand's wide open and ready to catch her, it's anger kept it dead set on destroying her making her feel the pain of torn flesh and broken bones, it's roars warning Sofja of how close it was to her, but then she started to look weird to it, then she split up into multiple, it stopped in it's track's and watched as they all ran in different directions, it's eyes flickering back on, it's gritting teeth showing less and less, it had become tired, it fell to it's knees while catching it's breath and it left itself open, Sofja could shoot it with the bow, but if she tried to get close it'd get up and chase her, but it'd be much slower and easier to outmaneuver." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": ". . .\nA moment of silence.\n\nThe Incarnation, `Duplicity` — the double of Sofja that Max had left behind and who had struck him in the legs — did not rear its head for one reason or another. As Stan ceases its chase after the bow-wielding Sofja tearing through `The Stage, Set,` There is a long moment of quiet. There is no arrow that shoots from the illusory environment in his moment of tiredness, in its moment of pause. There is no further illusions sent after him in an attempt to deceive, past those already created (the tri-branching illusions of Sofja simply dissipating into the forest beyond his field-of-vision). \n\nIt is uncertain why, but Sofja does not capitalize on this moment of weakness. If one were to wager on a strong guess, it would perhaps be due to the significant injury she had sustained even through her parry; though her opponent was perhaps not in possession of the presence-of-mind to truly take notice of it, her arms were quite badly damaged. The sheer force behind the attack twisted her wrist and bruised her arm... Perhaps she was not in the strongest of places to be shooting a bow, especially with what little proficiency she had using the weapon type.\n\nThere is then a moment of silence. One for both to rest and gain their breath, but no longer: Sofja was not giving up on this duel, and her `Incarnation` Was still in healthy condition. Something stirred within the silence; `Duplicity` Was repositioning, as was the true Sofja herself..." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Stan was tired, Stan was weakened, Stan was starting to shift, wait weren't there 8 spikes on his back now there's only 7? It seems that Sofja had finally gotten Stan to tire himself out. The way Stan shifts back to Max is much trickier then the other way around, for Stan to shift, his opponent, or his meal as he sees it has to get him tired to a point where he completely gives up and stops moving completely, Sofja had accomplished this with constant clones and tricks, tho if Stan had been able to eat something, or someone if I'm being honest, this moment of weakness wouldn't have happened.\n\nStan was beginning to shift back into Max, but he wouldn't be able to complete the change if Sofja went in for an attack, as he wouldn't be able to get up in time to dodge, his breathing was still heavy and his eyes were back to being white dots, his constant swinging and uncoordinated attacks had done him in and now he was basically a sitting duck, but if Sofja gave him the time, she'd be up against a whole new opponent." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "The silence passes beyond a single moment to two; it passes from seconds to minutes. One might imagine the sound of wind howling through the densely-forested illusory environment were it not illusory and all unreal to begin with, yet tension seemed still to rise exponentially in the absence of action. Sofja was plotting and her opponent was recovering as the duel takes a long dip in action with both its contestants shifting gears. `The Stage, Set` Goes wholly still, enveloping both Max and Sofja in thick forestry that hid both of them from one another.\n\nBut Sofja had moved. Max had not.\n\n*`PSCHEW!`\nAn arrow bursts from deep within the forest, the uninjured Sofja now wielding the enchanted bow.\n\nMaybe it was a moment too soon to allow Stan to shift into Max. Maybe it was a moment too late to prevent the process. When Sofja finally emerged from the forest, two in number — both flanking Max from a long distance of over three meters on his left and three meters on his right — her attack would ride exactly upon the line of just too late and just too early for her opponent to swap states; minutes of inaccuracy were instead turned to seconds, and seconds to fractions. It was an infinitesimal difference decided by quarters of a second: had she unwittingly attacked Stan and prevented his reversion, or had her opponent succeeded in making a transformation that would turn the tides of the battle entirely?\n\n__Only her opponent knew.__\n\nStill, the arrow pierces through the forest true. Sofja's [`Moment of Opportunity`](< is now. Were this arrow to hit, it would hit a __Critical blow*__, dealing nearly twice as much damage as it typically would — of course, the arrows did not do much damage in the first place, yet with this extra force backing it, it would almost surely stagger Max and inflict some moderate laceration injury." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Stan's shift into Max was about through, most of the buffs Stan had were gone by now due to the change and he had also shrunken down to his original size along with there being only four spikes on his back, Max looked around confused as he didn't remember walking into a forest, last thing he remembers is walking down the street and then suddenly passing out, he breaks the spikes off his back and absorbs them before looking around in confusion as he didn't know where he was at first but he caught on to the fact that something wasn't right.\n\nHe looked around and just tried to listen for anything, then an arrow came out of nowhere and hit him in the shoulder it hurt a bit and caused him to take a few seconds to think about what had just hit him, he was still in a very confused state when both Sofjas emerged from the forest, he was still on one knee and trying to figure things out, if Max could figure out what he was doing he can change the tides of this battle." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "The arrow critically strikes its target and both deals extra damage and slightly staggers her opponent. Its impact is more akin to a real arrow than merely the shattering of a crystal against Max's durable skin, and thus would come with some moderate degree of extra due to `A Moment of Opportunity.`* Additionally, her stacks of `Rising Tension` Increase by 2 due to the successful critical strike, bringing her to a total of 8. \n\nThe show was getting more interesting. Her opponent was just gaining his bearings for the first time in the battle, yet she was more than halfway to the goal she desired out of this fight. A true, marvelous crescendo — a `Finale` To remember. Still, she had to keep raising the tension, raising the stakes, raising the interest... She was a performer as much as she was a combatant in this duel, and the former perhaps more than the latter.\n\nThis was her stage.\nThis was her show.\n_ _\n\nBoth Sofjas now have wrapped cloth around their arms and wrist, leaving which one is the injured one impossible to detect at an immediate glance. One of the Sofjas, however, is wielding a bow, seeming to suggest that her arms are the healthier of the two — yet that assumption may have been predicted and feigned for ahead of time. It was tricky to outfox a trickster by trade. And speaking of tricks, her trademark illusions are now approaching Max.\n\nEthereal, hovering wicker-lanterns that fluoresced bright blue flames at their center manifested from a mere mirage to a potent illusory image, each surrounding and floating around Max at about a distance of two meters, eight in number and rotating all-around him. The Sofja wielding a bow and the Sofja wielding a dagger flank around and beyond these lanterns, hiding behind them and using the strength of their light to dazzle and evade Max's eyesight. \n\n*`PSCHEW!!`\nAnother arrow bursts from beyond one of the wicker-basket lanterns, firing straight toward Max's already-wounded shoulder, as the second Sofja wielding a dagger uses `Solo,`* Accelerating to an alarming speed toward Max from behind. She would seek to slash him across the back with the dagger, this time its impact being much more defined as she dedicated the whole of her body to the strike rather than simply passing him by. Upon a successful hit, it would likely create a superficial-though-painful wound across the entirety of his back.\n\nA simultaneous attack. To respond to one would mean to lower his guard to the other. They used the lanterns to attempt to veil the very beginning of their attack, making it considerably harder to dodge. A double-threat." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His eyes widened at the sight of both Sofja's as he was surprised she could clone herself, so this is the power a soul could give, Max could definitely learn something from this, though he didn't even know where he was still, he regained his thoughts as he needed to act accordingly to this situation less he get hurt, he had to figure out what to do and quickly.\n\nHe stood up and watched as the lanterns appeared out of nowhere and circled him with there incredibly bright fire, he had to cover his eyes for second due to how bright the flames were since he wasn't really used to looking at bright things from this close, his shirt had been torn off due to Stan's transformation so it would definitely be easier to absorb things, thankfully his black pants were still fully intact so he didn't have to worry about that.\n\nUpon seeing the arrow the dark blade shot out as he immediately went to slash it, he then started to absorb the air around him since he had a plan in mind, but the lanterns kept him from seeing anything beyond them so he had to act incredibly quick if he wanted to evade attacks, but then he finally realized what was going on, he was in the tournament no wonder he was fighting this must be an arena, IT must've got out again that's why he didn't remember walking here, he reminded himself that he didn't have time to think but upon reminding himself the other Sofja came up and slashed him across the back causing his eyes to widen as he turned around and put the absorbed air into a powerful shout that'd knock her back if she got caught in it." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "*`CRITICAL`\n`HIT`\n\nA [`Moment of Opportunity`](< arrives.\nIt was not the arrow that struck critically; Sofja was neither that lucky nor was it able to hit Max in the first place. But the dagger slashing across his back — the `Solo` One of the two had performed, indeed did. With twice the force of a typical one of Sofja's strikes, the dagger pierces harshly into Max's thick skin as though Sofja possessed truly supernatural strength, perfectly crossing against the weakest region of his back with already-potent force to begin with. \n\nThe success of both `Solo`** And the critical hit granted Sofja a 4 stacks of `Rising Tension,` bringing her to a whopping 12 stacks total. A wide grin appears on the woman's face, her ears perking as the full force of her blow imparts into Max's back. `A little more,` She thought. `A little more, and—`\n\n—But then came the blast of air. Flinging the incredibly lightweight and light-footed fighter backward, the blast of air knocked Sofja stumbling beyond the wicker lanterns, each of them fading into nonexistence with the breaking of her focus. Her stumble breaks into a fall as, enshrouded in the illusory domain, she is knocked far from Max, leaving only the single Sofja that had shot the arrow ahead of him.\n_ _\n\nYet as her opposite falls backward, the Sofja ahead of Max prepares to retreat. The subtle appearance of crystalline formations coalesce around her form as she briefly pauses, directly opposite Max as she stands entirely stationary. Following the brief appearance and subsequent disappearance of the arcane crystals all around her — the marked sign of an illusion at play — she began to step backward, retreating rapidly—\n\n*`SOLO`\n\n—It is not a real Sofja.\nBursting forth from invisibility, the bow-wielding Sofja manifested mere centimeters away from Max and already in a full sprint, her dagger wielded as she volleyed her body toward him at alarming and nearly-unreactable speeds, utilizing `Solo`* Immediately after the other Sofja had already expended the ability. Each instance of `Duplicity` Utilized cooldowns independently, allowing Sofja to prepare an immediate surprise-attack on Max combined with an illusion.\n\nSofja would swing yet another remarkably-powerful-yet-not-critical-blow directly for Max, hoping to take him entirely by surprise with her fake-out in retreating with an illusory image." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Upon knocking her back he began to absorb the air again along with retracting his blade, he was planning on doing a weapon switch, using the blade and the spikes from his back as materials, he just needed a tad bit of time to make it, he thought of making a chain weapon with a blade at the end and thought it would be the best thing for the rest of this tournament.\n\nHe readied himself for another attack, his constant absorption of air would be used as bursts and cannons for easy knock back until his weapon was done, it would take long but he'd definitely need to try and atleast injure Sofja before his weapon was finished just not to badly, he then watched as the lanterns disappeared upon her getting hit with the air cannon and started to think of her ability as illusions in general meaning he had to stay cautious of making certain moves as to not make himself vulnerable, he could already tell she was much faster than he was, but by the looks of it she wasn't stronger.\n\nHe watched as Sofja retreated pretty quickly , but he didn't try to give chase, he only stood there with his usual blank expression, upon Sofja appearing so close to him he was definitely caught off guard so he didn't have enough time to let out a burst of air before getting hit, but upon her landing the hit Max would let out a burst of air to knock her back, he then immediately jumped into the air and stayed up there stationary with air jets." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "Sofja reels back as she is knocked away by the aircannons, somewhat expecting a similar counter-attack to the one her opposite had sustained earlier, yet still surprised by the nature of the attack itself. Max had not demonstrated any of the awareness or supernatural ability beyond sheer strength earlier as he was now, and it seemed that he was altogether much cooler-headed and more composed than he was at the battle. Something was... Changing. Or, something had changed. More specifically, her Opponent, Had changed.\n\n`\"...Hehe...\"`\n\n...She grins, slightly, having slid back quite a distance from the point-blank air-blast, but this time not having lost her balanced. She stared with a wry grin as her opponent hovered in the air, satisfied to have gotten away with the quick two-part attack... And having gotten away with yet another risky `Solo.` It having successfully hit has now brought her to a total of 14 stacks of `Rising Tension.` Her *`Finale`* Was close in its arrival. So close she could practically taste the tension in the air!\n\nWith a somewhat concerning fire in her eyes, Sofja also seems to have changed since the beginning of the battle, much like her opponent. She seemed much calmer and more composed when they started, having been incredibly aloof and somewhat cocky at their first meeting. But now, she was roused with a fire that burned hot, rumbling in her chest. A fire that rumbled so loud that one could practically hear her heart beating.\n\n*`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nIt was so close.\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nThe greatest part of a show!\n_ _\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nThe thing that makes it all count...\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\nThe __Finale!__\n\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n`THUMP THUMP.`\n\n\n\n\n\nHer SOUL* Was bared, manifest for all to see! A fiery red and a tragic blue, spiralling one around another! Her illusions dance, full of life and wind and creatures and a symphony of sounds, cacophonous and as excited and as animated as she was in this moment! The world around her shimmers, the essence of the Spirit Realm crossing into the material world in lustrous and lively glow as her eyes themselves glitter alight!\n\nThe bow-wielding Sofja stares Max, and her form shimmers — she swapped positions immediately with her opposite, the one wielding the dagger. And yet as Max might think the one with the ranged threat had just disappeared—\n\n*PSCHEW!\n...PSCHEW! PSCHEW! PSCHEW! PSCHEW! PSCHEW! PSCHEW! PSCHEW!—\nPSCHHHH—-\n\n—The forest glitters with hundreds of small lights, individual arrows volleying in the dozens-and-dozens to the hundreds-and-hundreds with Max as their singular target!* A vast illusion unlike any other Sofja had displayed before now manifest before his eyes, dazzling him and challenging his perception of reality and unreality; a Cloud Of arrows was being hurled at him, with only two-to-three of them being true. It was a nigh-impossible attack to dodge, and one even harder to block, as Sofja stretched her illusory ability to its utmost limits in the face of *Ignition." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He watched on as Sofja manifested her soul, his expression shifted from blank to surprised, he knew he might've been done for if he didn't think something quickly, he didn't wanna lose just as he was getting in but then as he saw all the arrows, he knew all of them couldn't be real it's impossible for someone even like Sofja to shoot that many all at once but it was just as hard to find out which one's were real, he started to try and quickly think of something but he was at a loss he couldn't think of anything to defend himself with or anyway to dodge, but then he stopped thinking so quickly.\n\n\"I can't lose now, I've gone through to much pain, to much disaster to fall to something like this, I don't care how many time's you hit me, I don't care how many times you attack me, I'll keep getting up, because I promised my mother one thing!\"\n\nHe smiled as he looked on at the hundreds of arrows.\n\n\"That if I got pushed down I'd keep getting back up, no matter what!\"\n\nHe slammed his fists together and allowed the arrows to come at him, he didn't care where the arrows hit him as he'd just try and get back up, his weapon had been finished but he didn't take it out,he didn't fly down or run away, he didn't even try to block, he only watched on as the arrows came at him." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "SHHHHHHHHHH...\n—The sound of the crystalline illusions shattering, fading into nothingness as they collide harmlessly against Max's body in the dozens-and-dozens.\n\n....SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...\n\n—The sounds of hundreds more, pattering against his skin like raindrops—\n\nSHATTER!\n\n—And the sound of a true magical arrow amidst all of them, hammering harshly against his body.\n\nSHATTER! \n\nAnother\n\nSHATTER!\n\nAnd another\nLeaving small bruises and light lacerations around where they collide, impacting Max around his gut.\n\nThe illusion of a horizon aglow with hundreds of starlike formations of light, each marking the position of an illusory bow firing illusory arrows that were both untrue and both served as visual chaff to disrupt his perception of the few true strikes that existed amidst them: a great façade; a show upon `The Stage, Set.`\n\n`\"....Hehehe!\"`\n\n...And the sound of the director of this great show, laughing, hidden behind the curtain of that stage, red-and-blue eyes burning bright with the light of a Spirit's flame, swirling amidst the chaos.\n_ _\n\n`\"That's right!\"`\n`\"Tell me who you are! Show me!!\"`\n__`\"We'll show them all!\"`__\n\n—TP!\n\nThe mirage of arrows obfuscating Max's sight begins to settle, as illusions break and Max can now see clearly Sofja's form before him — the two of them, in fact. One knelt to the ground, and the other running right behind her, until she steps upon the former's back as she rises with explosive speed and force, springboarding her opposite high, high into the air above. High, high into the air, pirouetting through the sky as she was hurled and hurled by herself toward Max, all her speed and strength funneled into a single motion.\n\n `\"𝕃𝔼𝕋'𝕊 𝔾𝕀𝕍𝔼 𝕋𝐇𝔼 𝕎𝕆𝐑𝕃𝔻 𝔸 𝔾𝕆𝕆𝔻 𝕊𝐇𝕆𝕎——!!!\"`\n\nHer blade cleaves in, swirling with tremendous mana, her very heart, mind and SOUL* Poured into it simultaneously, the swirling illusory essence of the entirety of `The Stage, Set` Shimmering, fading, and coalescing in an unbelievably-turbulent swirl around her dagger.\n\n __*`\"𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄——!!\"`__\n`STACKS OF RISING TENSION: 14 / 15.`\n[`CRITICAL HIT.`](<\n\nThat blade came cleaving toward Max as all illusions faded from sight. A straight strike for his heart. A straight and critical strike that held the strength of over thirty individual attacks from Sofja, all in one.** To be hit by it would be a death sentence. Even Blocking It would be a tremendous challenge for someone like Max, the force in this strike eclipsing even Stan's output in a single strike by over fifty percent." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He smiled and watched as the arrows shattered against his body, his arms spread wide open as the true arrows hit him, he hadn't felt like this in forever actually he had never felt like this before, he didn't care if this attack hurt him severely, he just needed to keep going like he always has, pushing himself even if he was at his limit, he had promised his mother that he would get up no matter what happened to him and he'd make sure he kept that promise to her.\n\n\"I'm sorry but I can't lose here, because If I died here I'd be breaking a promise to someone I held closer to my heart more than anything, if I can do one thing as if it was her dying wish, I'll keep fighting till every part of my body has been erased!\"\n\nHe watched as Sofja used her clone to launch herself into the air, speeding towards him like a rocket, he could just as easily move out the way he had to ability to and it's not like she could change direction mid air but he didn't try and dodge, he opened his right hand beside him as a ISOH shaped weapon with a chain shot out of his palm, he then grabbed the weapon and had the chain wrap around his arm used it to try and put his arms in an X formation infront of his heart to try and block Sofja's attack, which would most likely still knock him back a good distance with injuries on his arms.\n\n\"Maybe I wasn't strong enough back then to stand my ground, but I have the strength to do whatever I need to now, and if I wanna use it for anything, even if I go insane, I wanna use it to protect my friends!\"" }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "C⸻LANG!!!!\n\nHer dagger and all the tremendous force behind it impacts against the chains wrapped round his arm, a violent reverberation of steel-against-steel echoing with a scream that deafened the arena. \n\n`CRACK`\n\nAnd behind that, Max's arms feel all the weight of the blow violently rippling throughout his arms, skin, flesh, sinew, and bone crackling as the force tore through his body.\nIt was lucky that he decided to use two arms to block, for the arm ravelled about with chains that Sofja had directly struck sounded off with a violent CRACK,** Breaking — Shattering, Almost — both bones in his forearm directly adjacent to the site of impact, sharp pain twinging all throughout. Half of the force continued straight-on-through into his other arm, though the first having absorbed so much force worked to his advantage: it would crack lightly into the bone but not break it clean through, a moderate fracture forming within. \n\nThe force was enough to send Max flying backward, despite the incredible weight difference between him and Sofja. He would be knocked through the sky, potentially breaking his flight, as he was left with a severely-wounded and almost completely-disabled right arm, and a left arm marked with a wide and painful bruise that made it moderately harder to move.\n\n*Critical impact.\n_ _\n\n`A Moment of Opportunity.`* Sheer luck. A stroke of fate that blessed Sofja's show. *`Finale`* Did not just strike at over 90% of its full strength; its strength in fact was *Doubled* Over its maximum output. A wide and impressed grin marks Sofja's face as she freefalls back to the ground below, twirling, twirling. Twirling toward nothing but the marble floor of the Arena.\n\n`The Stage Set.`\n`Duplicity.`\n\nFor the cost of using *`Finale,`* Both techniques are forcefully ended. Sofja is acrobatic enough to land on two feet and roll across the ground as she touches-down, yet a sharp twinge of pain flares all throughout her arm as she briefly pressed her weight against it. Though as much more wounded as Max was, Sofja still had injuries as her own; her strike was likely not enough to immediately end the duel even after being blocked. \n\nBut Sofja seemed to believe otherwise. Standing upright from her roll, the entertainer grants the audience a bow, the sound of the spectators cheering all-around in her hearing muffled, somewhat, by the shrill ping of her blade against Max's chains, her ears still ringing.\n\nWhile Sofja was in an elated, celebratory mood, the battle had not ended. There was no more hiding, no more illusions; it would be raw combat from here-on-out, and that fact she had not realized yet." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "And so he was sent flying backwards and met the ground with a not so delightful landing, rolling across the ground and finally coming to a stop after a while his smile hadn't faded a bit, he got up and realized his right arm completely broken while his left was badly damaged, he then looked at Sofja his soft smile still on his face.\n\n\"What did I tell you?\" His voice wasn't as loud as before, Sofja's last hit had done a number on him, but he lived up to his word's. \"No matter how many times you hit me, no matter how many times you attack me, I'll keep getting back up, my next move is probably gonna confuse you tho.\"\n\nHe slowly goes to grab his right arm with his left hand and upon grabbing it he rips it and eats it along with the weapon, using it as a material to heal his other arm, he then patched the right side up so he wouldn't bleed to death, the blade and chain weapon now coming out of his left hands palm.\n\n\"I need to win this I can't stop now or else I'd be breaking a promise, to break that promise would be worse then death to me, so I can't fall now.\"\n\nHe started walking towards Sofja, he then started to use air jet's from his back to rocket towards her at high speeds, the blade tightly clutched in his hand as he went to stab her in the heart." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "Sofja's eyes stare, her expression made half of equal parts of horror, surprise, disbelief, and fear, the other half constituted of a blend of respect, awe, and excitement. Her faelike ears perked as her body shifted up and back into a combat-ready stance from her bow, her dagger twirling in her right hand before she gripped it tightly in a forwards-grip, red-and-blue irises locked tightly against Max as he continued to get up.\n\n`\"Haha...\"`\n\nHer laugh changed. It was neither wry nor cocky, but genuine in partial fear and astonishment. With her dagger wielded one-handedly, she took a step back as Max began to tear his own arm off his body, the crowd of the arena going deathly silent as they witnessed the spectacle before them — Sofja herself one with this silence as disbelief now overtook her expression. But that disbelief again returned to a wide smile, as she pointed her dagger strong and forward ahead of herself, seeing that Max had shown himself to be an individual of unbelievable resolve.\n\n`\"All right, big guy...\"`\n`\"Then, to the very satisfying end. Come on!\"`\n_ _\n\nNo illusions. No doubles. No more of `The Stage, Set.` No more stacks of `Rising Tension,` No more invisibility. \nJust her. Her and her wounds and her dagger and her agility and her wit. She tracks Max as he continues faster-and-faster in approach, his tightly-clutched blade clear in her sharp eyesight, as all her body flares before suddenly bursting into an upward dodge, leaping up and over Max. `Not as predictable as before!` —she thought, grinning as Max sailed on by. `But it's still not enough!`\n\nShe twirled through the air, flipping backward as she surveyed the ground and, in a single action, withdrew the bow slung over her shoulder, nocking a magical arrow against its string. She sets her sights on Max before spinning into an upright landing, Releasing the arrow and firing it directly at the back of his head (if he had continued to travel past her).\n\n Her arm was injured, indeed, and it hurt greatly to put any strain on it whatsoever. But what would she be if she did not pour her all into this battle after what intense display of character Max had shown? She would be nothing but a coward.\n\nAnd she did not intend to show the audience a mediocre show." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He was actually having alot of fun in this fight, usually he'd have been dead set on getting out of it and just running like he usually does but something was different this time, his smile grew wider and his hand began to get hotter as he gripped the blade's handle tighter and tighter, he didn't know what he was feeling at this current moment, but he knew it felt amazing.\n\nAs Sofja leaped over him, Max shut off the air jet's on his back and didn't try to turn around instead he shot an air cannon out of where he had torn his arm off to blast himself to the left, he then stabbed the ground with his blade and used the momentum to spin around and land on his feet.\n\n\"Y'know this is actually pretty fun, sorry for the arm thing though probably should've warned everyone to cover their eyes beforehand.\"\n\nHe raised his hand to the sky as the chain attached to the blade shot out of his palm, the chain was about 5 meters in length and by the looks of it that was the full length of the chain, he started to move his hand up and down as he spun the chain and waited for Sofja to make her next move." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "Max's enjoyment of the fight was reciprocated. Sofja was as entertained as she planned to make others entertained By The fight; the spectacle was violent and gruesome, yet full of drama, resolve, character, and above all, resolution. The blood they spilled told its own story.\n\nSofja, seeing Max smile, widens her own grin, the arrow shattering against the marble floor due to Max suddenly shifting his momentum. As she landed on the ground, she was already drawing another arrow, her eyes flicking from wide-open to tightly-squinted as she took aim, before again baring themselves wide-open — red-and-blue and full of flame.\n\n`\"Right now, all I'm feeling...\"`\n\n...She took a deep breath.\n\nThe twinges of pain in her damaged armed disappeared. What subtle looks of horror, surprise, disbelief, or fear now all simultaneously vanished, and all that was left was her awe and excitement, and the unbroken focus she had attained in the moment of clarity following `Ignition`, the `Finale` And her opponent's gruesome display. All pain disappeared, and it felt like she was as weightless as a feather.\n\n`\"...Is the pleasantness of this world.\"`\n_ _\n\nShe stood on even grounds with Max, her finger drawing back yet another magical arrow, maintaining teh full tension of the bowstring without so much as wincing due to her bruised arm and fractured wrist. The sound of the spectators watching, of the fights around her, of her own heart beating — all of it became a subtle blur that backset her and her opponent. This was what it felt like, huh?\n\nTo be at the center of the world.\n\n*PSCHEW!\n\n—A magical arrow is released, immediately firing toward Max's central body.\n\nPSCHEW!\n\n—One more, waiting a slight moment incase he dodged, with full intent to track him.\n\nPSCHEW! PSCHEW!\n\n—Two more, almost instantaneous and back-to-back. She was getting better with the bow over the short course of the several that this battle had lasted. She would keep this distance and make Max be the one to approach her." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His body felt hot because of all the quick movements he had done, hell he felt like he was burning from the inside but he didn't seem to mind it, the burning sensation all over his body, the sound of the chain weapon spinning through the air, his breathing getting slower and slower, he had never felt like this before and hopefully it wouldn't be the last time.\n\nAs Sofja aimed another arrow, Max pulled most of the chain back into his hand, now only being seven inches in length, he didn't dodge the arrow but instead he sliced it with the blade before jumping high into the air with a bit of help from air jets, he sliced the second arrow in two as he rocketed down towards Sofja.\n\nHe wasn't dodging any of the arrows only slicing and destroying them as he rocketed down towards Sofja and upon getting close to her he'd attempt to do to a full strength diagonal slice across her chest to try and end the fight." }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "Parry. Parry. Parry. Parry.\n\nHer opponent wasn't easy. Perhaps if her evolution were a little faster, perhaps if her intuition was a little better, perhaps if she was more skilled, her bowshots would have been less predictable and more lethal. But as it stood, even though her rate of growth was increasing exponentially over the course of this short battle — as infinitesimal as minutes are in the face of a lifetime — her attacks were just short of being able to connect.\n\nSofja prepares for impact, shifting her one hand upon the bow's string to grasp its silvered arch. \n\n`These aren't just any weapons—`* She thought, glancing up at Max's rapidly approaching blade. She could see it coming, descending down on her with the force of a boulder.\n`They're mythical items from the Medeian Royal Armory.`\n\n\n`They—`\n\n*`...Can take one more hit!`\n\nBoth hands clutch behind the silver arch as she braces for impact, as she brings the orientation of the bow exactly perpendicular to Max's swing.\n\n CLANG!!\n\n—The impact again echoes throughout the arena, as Sofja blocks his attack as, for what only lasted a fraction of a second yet felt like an eternity, she stared directly up at him and he down at her. A grin marked her face as sparks flew, the bow holding up despite the incredible impact: a certain sign of its incredible craftsmanship as an enchanted weapon.\n\nBut still\n The force\n Continues\n Flowing downward.\n_ _\n\nSofja's legs give in, yet she quickly swaps stances to give herself further support, impossibly doing so while being forced further to the ground. Her wrist contorts as the superhuman force compresses against her damaged bone, the sheer adrenaline-high she was on completely numbing her to the unbelievable pain she should have been feeling as the fracture deepened; still, she smiled. \n\nShe does not let the downward force be the thing that fully overtakes her, but the backward force — after the brief moment of their clash, Sofja was sent skidding meters-upon-meters backward, her right arm recoiling limply backward off the arch of the bow while her left hand remained only weakly clutched against its form.\n\nClatter.\n\n`\"...Heh...\"`\n`\"Hahaha...!\"`\n\nSofja releases the bow, slowly withdrawing her dagger.\n\n`Just one more hit. I can take just one more. I know it.`\n`Just one more exchange.`\n\nShe twirled it weakly but deftly in her left hand, much of its strength sapped from the further damage done to both her arms — her right arm rendered completely useless due to her broken wrist, held limply at her side.\n\n ONE MORE HIT.`__\n\n`I`\n`will` \n__`WIN!!`*__\n\nFrom her recoiled position, Sofja now dashes forward. Her legs were still good, despite it all! She bursts forwards at a remarkable speed — so remarkable that it seemed hard to believe just how injured and utterly exhausted she was following her `Finale`* — charging headfirst toward Max for one last exchange of blows. With a single hand, pouring all her force into another stab, she twists and twirls the dagger as she hurls a stab toward Max's chest, carrying all the momentum of her weak arm yet strong legs." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "As Sofja blocked the blow Max was surprised yet also amazed at the fact she was still standing, surviving his hits was definitely tough but he had already figured out Stan must've hit her as well before he gained his body back and it's nearly impossible to survive a full strength hit from him, so as he watched Sofja power through her own pain his smile grew wider someone who didn't run when they saw how strong he was nor try to trick him but instead fought him head on with a smile on their face, usually he only went all out in a fight due to anger but that wasn't the case this time, he didn't feel any hatred towards anyone, for the first time he didn't fight because of anger, he fought for his friends and his mother.\n\n\"Come at me with everything you got!\"\n\nHe twisted his body to the right and raised the blade to the right side of his head, he wanted to give Sofja everything he had in this final hit as to show some kind of respect towards Sofja for surviving this long, he hadn't met an opponent that survived a full on punch from him till now so he would put everything he had into this last hit, he wanted to give Sofja a show to remember so upon her getting close enough he'd twist around preform another full force diagonal slash directed towards her dagger aiming to disarm her and send her to the ground." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "`\"...Hmm...\"`\n—The Royal Physician stared partly concerned, partly curious, and partly intrigued by what transpired within the arena.\n\n```\n\"'Tis a fight a bit more gruesome for thy tastes, isn't it?\n\"Both of 'm on their last limbs,\" the Royal Guard folded her arms. \"Well, one more than the other, but th' point remains th' same.\"\n```\n\n`\"I worry mostly that they might end the battle with irreparable scars.\"`\n`\"His arm...\"`\n\nThe avian Medei's eyes honed.\n\n```\n\"Injured 's-they-may-be, they still've got the strength t' pour their hearts int' it.\"\n\"'Til one'f -'m drops. Til one'f -'m wins.\"```\n\nThe antennae of the Royal Guard, too, hone.\n\n```\n \"That is,\" the towering, beetle-like Medei pointed, \"The truest form of the Margo Aeternitatis.\"```" }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "The battle meets its summit. This is a true `Finale,` And one that needs no spectacle other than the careful and lethal dance between the two participants on the plain marble stage of the arena. It needs no excessive flourish, no showy images, no strange magic, but only flesh and steel and character and blood: two participants, their SOULS and weapons bared, and the fervent heat rousing both of them to march wholeheartedly toward Victory.\n\n*`JUST ONE MORE——`\n\nHer resolve persisted as she continued closer to Max. Her resolve persisted as she tucked the dagger inward. Her resolve persisted as she saw Max counterattacking.\n\n`——I'LL WIN!`\n\n __𝑺 𝑯 𝑨 𝑻 𝑻 𝑬 𝑹!!__\n\n`...?`\n`...`\n`...?`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "It all happened in a blur—\n—but as the ringing of their ears from the impact of blades stop, they can hear the crowd cheering wildly.\n\n\n\n\n`\"Let's see to your wounds.\"`\n\nBefore Max could even confirm what had happened in their clash, he was already face-to-face with a remarkably-tall beetle-like Medei — the personal guard of the King himself — and a black-feathered avian Medei — the Royal Physician, and the one who had addressed him — channeling a healing spell. A potent regenerative mana fluxes throughout Max's body as the Physician stares deeply at the socket where his arm had been torn.\n\n`\"The adrenaline in your body is already fading fast; you will begin to feel the full extent of your wounds. I've started by numbing your pain.\"`\n\nBehind the Physician, the Guard and the Custos Regni worked, the great coleopteran soldier scooping Sofja off the ground as she was carried away by the armored guards who attended the stage. The Physician was otherwise occupied healing Max's arm, so Sofja would be healed through other means.\n\n`\"We'll continue by working on repairing that missing arm of yours,\"`* He commented, now preparing a significantly more potent healing spell, escorting Max off-stage. `\"You'll need at least a fifteen-minute break before your next bout. I need time to work.\"`" }, { "author": "Sofja", "message": "`...?`\n`...Huh?`\n\nSofja's eyes opened, and she saw no dagger in her hand. She would raise one of her arms to look at her wounds, yet it seemed she had no control over either of them at all. Her dagger laid in pieces on the floor, shattered by the impact... And it seemed, too, her arms were shattered just the same.\n\n`\"...Damn.\"`\n\nShe muttered under her breath, her eyes opening weakly as she stared toward the night sky above. She reminisced on the moment — that fraction-of-a-second of an impact — and all the combat that preceded it, yet managing to find a smile on her face again.\n\nWith what last remnants of her strength, she weakly raised her broken right arm, giving a thumbs-up as she stared Max in the eyes one time before she was carried off-stage.\n\n`\"...Heh.\"`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "*\"...AND THE VICTOR OF THIS BOUT...\"\n __\"IS MAX BRACKEN!\"*__" } ]	292	13,593
428.508547	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Fu ", "message": "`\"...Hm...\"`\nHis humming ceased, and the peculiar flow of shadow and mana around him calmed. Yet the slivers of darkness, like lightless shards of glass, remained in a hover around him, suspended on air.\n\nThe masked man lowered to a knee in a smooth and slow descent, his arm outstretching toward the unconscious face of one of the several individuals knocked unconscious within the tunnel. First, his arm lifted; then, his hand — earlier limp — rose too; and finally, his fingers stretched out, hovering just beyond the eyes of the bruised-and-battered participant. His finger hovered just beyond their wounded face, trailing mere millimeters over an open laceration that travelled the length of their cheek, yet never touching their skin directly. His lips curled slightly as he seemed to focus — entirely unresponsive to all that Starbi spoke and questioned.\n\nHe paused. All his motion stopped, from the roaming trail of his fingertip to the subtle deviations in his expression. He was, for a moment, still.\n_ _\n\nA man clad in a strange robe; of a strange aura; of a strange mask; of a strange mana. Shadows crept uneasily along his garb, inchoate and weightless, as empty and fading as his presence was itself. The cold of his skin, the quiet of his voice, the silence of his step, and the unusual delay between each of his actions: all were traits of the very same emptiness and distance that constituted the character of the man himself. He was... Strange. Even to be around, he was strange, for it felt like one was not near him at all, and he was, himself, somewhere else, in some world of his own, perhaps in some memory of the day before him, of in some great thought or rumination of some great concept that captured his body and mind whole, or maybe of some long train of thought following ideas of a time and place elsewhere, or of such a deep focus on things within that all without was a blur. He was aloof, and cold, and very much quiet, all hollow and empty and distant, and similarly like he was not there at all.\n\nAnd that much thought to describe a man that one had never met before could all be mulled over and finalized, all within the moment of his long pause.\n\n`\"...You could say that.\"`\n\nAn answer and not.\n\n`\"...Hm...\"`\n\nHe repeated himself.\n\n`\"...Interesting.\"`\n\nHe repeated himself.\n\n`\"...Ah.\"` His finger withdrew from the face of the unconscious individual.\n\nHe repeated himself.\n\nThe shards of dark that he had coalesced through his humming and invocation of a spell now, at the whims of the magician, floated to his fingertips, as he held, somewhat idly, his hand out. His mana, like obsidian shards of night, acuminated to the point of a tack's tip. They were like needles, each, hovering close to the unconscious participant's face, drawing closer—\n\n\n\n*—as he plunged them into their flesh.\n\n\n\nSp...\n...Sp...\n...Sp.\n_ _\n\nStrings as thin as hair were tucked into the back-end of each of the dark shards as they passed harmlessly through the individual's cheek, sewing up the open wound cleanly and quickly.\n\nHow peculiar a man.\n\nHis actions to the others were likewise and one-and-the-same. He would kneel to one, carefully observe their most pressing of wounds, pause for some great period of time — twenty, thirty, forty seconds each, the process long and sevenfold as tedious as that which left behind the injuries. Yet his technique was infinitely precise, what small care he performed impeccable in quality. Stitches as seamless as to seem as though the flesh brought itself together of its own volition." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "The humming then swiftly ceased, the atmosphere filling the room calmed but remained in the form of lightless shards of glass. Starbi watched as the man lowered on one knee with grace, Starbi stepped a few feet closer to inspect what the strange figure was doing, watching as the man stretched his hand out to loom over the eyes of the unconscious Jovan, Starbi felt a bit unsure on what was going to happen to him, he didn't get a complete grasp of the situation at hand. \n\nStarbi decided to step closer, three or so more steps echoing within the vague atmosphere brought by the man. Starbi then heard the man's gentle and soft voice interrupting Starbi's slow approach towards him. With an answer like that, then that meant he was here to help. That's good! But.. How would he help exactly? Starbi wasn't sure, he walked up a bit closer, now only 4 or 5 feet away at a side for Starbi to see what he was going to do, maybe he was going to use some sort of dark magic to help? It was a bit confusing, yet.. Reminiscent of.. Something to say the least.\n\nStarbi saw as the shards of dark that kept close to the man were now at his fingertips, quickly forming into something similar to needles, was he going to stitch him up instead?\nStarbi then watched as the supposedly floating needles quickly plunged into Jovan's wound, Starbi jerked a bit as saw the needles go in swiftly into his flesh, the faint sounds of thread piercing flesh and the sounds of thread echoing throughout the area, watching as the flesh of Jovan's face going close together on its own, maybe he was using a very thin thread to suture the wounds?\n\n \nStarbi remained quiet, a calm expression now brushed on his face. Watching the man now tend to the other unconscious participants. Starbi walked closer up to Jovan's body, looking at his face now accompanied by a clean and tidy stitched-up wound, looking. Starbi then looked up to look at the strange man, as he spoke.\n\n\"I was going to go get some more help. But, on the bright side, I have you here to help out already! I can't do anything really, I'm no medic.\" Starbi spoke, following along with a calm laugh, a faint feeling of solace looming over the area.\n\n\"But I can at least be here for emotional support..!\" Starbi spoke to the man, a smile painted on his face, that faint feeling of solace growing into a light breeze of joy.\n\n\"I already said my name, but I'll say it again in case you didn't hear me!\" Starbi announced with joy.\n\n\"I'm Starbi! It's nice to meet you.\" Starbi greeted again, his uncertainty easing away quickly." }, { "author": "Fu ", "message": "The man was all but entirely silent for moments even after Starbi re-introduced himself. The cold, black veneer of his eyeless mask let as little emotion display as the ashen facade that was the skin of his face, both equally cold and distant as one another. One might have believed him not to have heard Starbi at all.\n\n`\"...\"`\n\nThe strings slip into place. The flesh binds together. The shards of darkness fade away. The man's expression does not change.\n\n`\"...Mm...\"`\n\nAnother moment passes. Another long pause as the man stares down closely at his own work, before slowly and smoothy rising to his feet — identically as slowly and smoothly as he descended. All that he did followed similar patterns, each delayed by some interval — be it the two seconds between him extending his arm and his fingers outstretching; or the ten seconds, perhaps, between him crouching and surveying the wounds of the injured; or maybe the thirty of him rarely taking note of something interesting and making a fleeting remark upon it. In this case, it was the seconds that stretched to minutes between hearing one speak to himself and shifting his head to acknowledge that they were there at all. \n\n`\"...Meet, hm?\"`\n`\"But we have not met.\"`\n\nHow strange a man. For all things seemed distant to him, and all things seemed distant of him.\n\n`\"...You are Starbi,\"`\n`\"Yet still in saying that,\"`\n`\"...We have not met.\"`\n\nFor though standing here and for though knowing what had occurred in the metro before making his appearance,\n\n`\"...That is because\"`\n\nIn reality, he was\n\n`\"I am not here.\"`\n\nNot here at all.\n\n`\"I am the bird that imitates its master's voice;\"`\n`\"That lives to copy and copies only.\"`\n\nNow he stood, and his fingers rest against his mask, his hand partially obscuring his mouth.\n\n`\"I am the empty mage\"`\n`\"A hollow eye sent to watch and follow;\"`\n`\"The Tailbird heeding its master's call.\"`\n_ _\n\nA vague introduction. But it was better than being ignored.\n\n`\"...Hm.\"`\n\nNow his face turned deeper toward the metro tunnel halls, inward, toward where Starbi had seen Endeven, Athena, and Vaughan delved.\n\n`\"...Your comrades should soon approach...\"`" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's friendly expression weakened a bit when he was given silence in response, perhaps he didn't hear him? He probably was too focused on tending the unconscious participants' wounds.\nStarbi then continued to watch the man suture a participant's wound before rising up and suturing somebody else's wounds.\n\nStarbi then heard the man spoke, his head perked as his eyes focused on him. A feeling of tense distance flowing through the room as the man spoke. \n\nStarbi then got a bit confused on the next words the man said, what did he mean? Was he just some sort of projection of something? The next words then gave more context to what he meant, he was a sort of servant, an imitator meant to copy others and observe. The man then addressed himself albeit formally, \"The empty mage.\". So he's observing Starbi and the others for someone, but who could that be?\n\nStarbi then noticed the mage turning his head to the path that the others delved into, as Starbi tilted to the side to look too, before hearing the Mage's words once again as Starbi's eyes focused on the mage once more.\nThe others are coming back, that's good at least! Perhaps they got the koi fish." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Endeven was coming closer to both Starbi and the empty mage. He wasn't running or walking though - in fact he hadn't made a single step from the spot where he had been standing on since Athena and him encountered Vaughan. Despite this he would arrive in about a tenth of the time it would take Athena. A wall near both the colorful and warm Starborn aswell as the colorless and cold puppet had become entirely black. All light had disappeared from it - The Elechroma that was about to- *Boom\n \n```ini\n[\"Incredible. That was faster than I th-\"]\n ```\n\n-A circular tear was made on the dark wall. This wormhole was like a gate leading directly to the dark depths of the metro. Endeven made slow steps out of this hole. As he stepped out he started speaking proudly, but was quick to stop his sentence as he realized that Starbi and another man had been standing there. This mana, is it an enemy? No, Starbi wouldn't be here if that was the case..\n\nHis gaze locked on the masked individual and the treated people around him... So this was most likely a staff member. A majority of those responsible for healing would be members of the Vicariato della Santa Croce, but this person... Would someone from the Vicariate dress like this? Nonetheless, this was perfect - Vicariate or not - This person would most likely be able to lead Endeven to whoever gave out orders.\n\n```ini\n[\"Good job, Starbi. I take it, you were successful in locating staff.\"]\n```\n\nEndeven now referred to the person concealed in dark robes. The unusual feeling of mana was the reason why Endeven was still holding up his guard. He then stepped closer, attempting to conceal his injury, to begin a conversation with the empty mage. With a polite tone Endeven started speaking:\n\n```ini\n[\"Buona Sera to you, Signore. Based on these patched up fellows I'm assuming you are responsible for aiding the injured. Though, have you been informed of any temporal effects that the Koi-Fish bears? When i was down there, me and another participant perceived words in our minds. Those words.. Sounded like they came from the future. As if they were PREMONITIONS.\"]\n```\n\nEndeven tried remembering exactly what happened down there. Those words were never confirmed to be actual foresights into the future, but Endeven had this feeling he couldnt shake off that something bad was going to happen. He stood there in thought for a few seconds before continuing .\n\n```ini\n[\"It wouldn't be an unforeseeable action of the O.S.A to release a being with temporal abilities for a game like this.. Unless this is a defense mechanism by the fish to plant lies into the mind of whoever approaches it, the festival is in serious danger, because one of the PREMINITIONS went something along the lines of 'The king will protect his people outside of his kingdom'... The king is currently within Sanctum Mesa if I'm correct.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Running as fast as she can, Athena approaches the entrance and sees Starbi, Dioscuri and someone else with a strange robe. \"Must be event staff\" She thinks to herself. She of course would not hear anything said by them as she ran all the way there, she would continue running past the three saying \"Hey Starbi, Random guy and ...Dioscuri?\" She pays no mind to it as there must be a reasonable explanation for it, still running she exits the metro and towards the main area of sanctum mesa." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi's eyes then turned to the exit that Discouri, Athena, and Emily went to go deeper within the south before Starbi noticed a wall beside Starbi and the empty mage turned pitch black, as if it was devoid of all light. \n\nStarbi was confused before an explosion could be heard, what was going on down there? Starbi used his forearm to shield his eyes from whatever came at him and the mage, the explosion causing a faint breeze to billow Starbi's hair and clothes. Starbi lowered his forearm to see a tear of pure darkness, like it was black paint splotched on the wall with faint bits of light, like a look into a faintly lit area. \n\nSomeone was walking out of the dark wall, it was.. Endeven! Starbi's expression turned to one with a friendly smile, a faint breeze of joy flowing in the wind, happy to see a familiar face.\n\"Oh, hey Discouri!!! How was it down there?\" Starbi spoke with a friendly tone in his voice, seemingly unbothered by the explosion that just happened.\n\"Oh, thanks!!!\" Starbi's smile grew with a beaming wind of cheer flowing through around the three as Endeven gave him a form of approval.\n\"He came to me instead when I was making it back up the stairs instead actually!!!\" Starbi added.\n\nStarbi then listened to what Endeven had to say, temporal effects from the koi-fish? What was he talking about? He got a look into the future, huh.. Sounds.. Fun! A curious expression brushed on his face as Endeven spoke, interested to hear more.\nStarbi's expression then turned to one of uncertainty, the festival's in danger? Starbi's expression then turned into one of unease.\n\n* *\n\"Uh oh, that's not good!\" Starbi commented.\n\"Maybe we should go check to see if there's anything wrong. I hope nobody's hurt!\" Starbi added. He was uneasy hearing that, thinking that everyone in the festival may be in danger.\n\nStarbi then saw.. Only Athena running out of the entrance she took with Endeven, Starbi waved to her to get her attention.\n\"Oh, Athena! Did you hear about.. The.. Premonitions.\" Starbi's words trailed off as Athena didn't seem like she had to talk, watching as she ran straight out of the exit. \nBut maybe he, Endeven, and the mage guy could catch up with her and talk later.\nThat's what he hoped.\n\nStarbi then turned back to Endeven.\n\"Did you see that orange-haired girl with us? I saw her go in before you and Athena. But she hadn't come out yet, what's up with her? Is she okay?\" Starbi asked, he was unsure about her. He wanted to make sure she was at least okay." }, { "author": "Fu ", "message": "The man was not surprised by the sudden arrival of several individuals, despite with what urgency and speed they appeared. For the first time, it seemed as though he was in the moment, present-in-mind, though still upon the same, strange, delayed tempo as always. Endeven and Athena caused him, for the first time, to tilt his head, his hand supporting his chin as his lip curled slightly, his brow raising beneath the wooden veneer of his birdlike mask.\n\n`\"...Hm...\"`\n\nHe held his silence as Endeven made his greetings, spoke to Starbi, and asked his question. The man's expression did not shift as Endeven brought up some rather perturbing and peculiar news, as he was, still, in that same moment of delay; that peculiar distance. Yet his expression, following that off-tempo, seemed to shift, slightly, unlike the coldness of his facade as earlier shown to Starbi.\n\nThis time, something truly interested him.\n\n`\"I take it you are the Dioscuri I was told of.\"`\n\nHe motioned toward Endeven, briefly surveying Athena and Starbi once more. It seemed he knew of Endeven. His reputation — or, perhaps, the reputation of his last name — proceeded him.\n\nEight seconds passed after he responded, as he looked forward, blank in expression. That odd tempo again.\n\n`\"...Event staff... Partially.\"`\n`\"I act on a favor of a friend of mine.\"`\n\nTemporal abilities. A defense mechanism of the fish. Premonitions. An orange-haired girl...\n\n`\"...The Koi is not with you.\"`\n\nHe grinned, slightly, his pale-pink lips tugging into a smile, though confused and slightly disturbed as he was. Endeven's words still rang fresh in his mind, though the revelation of one specific fact amused him quite greatly.\n\n`\"...That would be a bet I have won. Ah, joy.\"`\n_ _\n\nSobering himself, the man's expression returned to his ever-defining neutral: a cold and expressionless mannerism, filled with some subtleties that demonstrated his curiosity The Spirit-Koi was the more pressing matter at hand.\n\n`\"...Mm. Once, I was given the creature to study, some moons ago.\"`\n`\"...It is a... Very furtive thing\"`\n`\"Resisting us at every step...\"`\n`\"Every hint at its true nature I retrieved with some great struggle.\"`* \n`\"And yet...\"`\n`\"...Nothing of what you describe.\"`\n\nThe masked mage pressed his hands together ahead of himself.\n_ _\n\n`\"You speak of many odd things.\"`\n`\"The Koi did not come down this path.\"`\n\n`\"...Hm.\"`\nHe paused, as though second-guessing himself. He was certain that the Koi... \n...Ah, but perhaps it is because of...\n\n`\"...In any case, I do not have the answers you search for.\"`\n`\"It would perhaps be better for us to meet in person,\"` He suggested, motioning toward himself. In person, He said? Was he not stood before them?\n\nHow odd a man. For he spoke with many odd delays, all things coming to him some short while after they occurred, and his manner of speaking and of merely existing was as though he were not there at all. As he had said to Starbi and would say again—\n\n`\"...I am not here, now.\"`\n`\"I am a one that only copies, an empty thing made to speak in another's place.\"`\n`\"...Soon I will arrive in person...\"`\n`\"...Though my arrival will be delayed.\"`\n`\"Then we may speak... Dioscuri.\"`\n\nHe had a particular interest toward that singular mage. Dioscuri. A particular interest toward that name. Dioscuri. \n\n`\"Keep this matter discreet.\"`\n`\"Tell it only to those you trust.\"`\n`\"The Spirit Koi is a matter more peculiar and delicate than you might think.\"`\n`\"The O.S.A was incapable of holding on to it.\"`\n`\"...And myself incapable of reading into it.\"`\n\nThe man gave a subtle warning, pausing, before placing a hand to the bridge of the beaked nose of his mask, clasping its wooden surface tightly, as though preparing to remove it. Yet he paused, lifting his visage toward the group again, as though waiting for a confirmation for something." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena heard none of what was said for she ran past the group a while ago towards the main area of sanctum mesa. She was a bit confused on who that robed guy was, possibly event staff and was just as confused as how Dioscuri was there before her, for she did not see him run past. But if she remembers correctly he said something about getting us outta there quickly, that must be how, whatever that way is and Starbi. \"I wish i could have stayed and talked but no time for that now, I must find White September i think Dioscuri said or my other friends\" She thought to herself as she ran. Her injuries were not as bad and def not noticeable and as for her birds, she desummoned them a while ago in the tunnels as they were of no use then." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi turned his head to Endeven speaking after the empty mage had introduced himself. Talking about many things. \nFirst it was whether or not the strange mage seemed trustworthy, and the mention of the existence of an intelligent threat, but Starbi didn't take much thought into that, as Endeven then went back to the topic of the stranger being trustworthy or not. Starbi watching as the glass shards floating around in Endeven's hand like stardust in space fall into his palm.\nFrom Starbi's perspective, he seemed to trust the mage heedlessly. He helped stitch up the people here, so that was something good! But maybe Endeven saw it differently.\n\n\"Well, I'd say he seems trustworthy! He helped the people here who needed help, we couldn't have done it without him here!\" Starbi chimed with a friendly smile on his face.\n\"I'm sure that he can help us more if we let him!!\" Starbi added, the breeze of cheer's influence strengthening a little bit, putting sightless faith into the mysterious mage." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```\nThe south should be blessed with some good food.\n```" }, { "author": "Fu ", "message": "`\"...Hmph.\"`\n\nThe man's visage remained fixed, any response quiet and long-delayed, together as though he was processing the statements made — or, instead, maybe appraising Endeven's certainty in his own statement, leaving a long pause to let whatever second-guesses, corrections, or lack of wholehearted grit, to rise to the surface in the tension of the absence of a response and subtract from what true spine he had just demonstrated. It was a test, of types, and in his unreadability, what truth behind the man's emotions and actual response to Endeven's reply remained concealed beneath the wooden veneer of the mask that concealed his eyes and his nose, and the cover of his left hand — with arm rested at its elbow over his right forearm — concealing his mouth and lower face. His head tilted slightly, once more, the grip he had on his mask released.\n\nConsidering the subtle nod he gave in response to the second of Endeven's two statements toward him, it seemed true that this \"Iteration on himself\" — a \"One who copies\", as a mage, empty, and good only to speak in another's place — would simply fade away, were he to take that mask from his visage. He spoke through a puppet, as shrouded and mysterious as he was described.\n\n`\"...\"`\n\nSlowly, his hand lowered, and the expression of his mouth beneath it revealed. He was still smiling, slightly, his teeth poking from his thin and pale-pink lips in a confident and amused smile that expressed all his insouciance and entertainedness at the doubts the Cantum sorcerer cast his way.\n\n`\"...Years distant from the Academy leaves one an outsider once more,\"` He folded his arms, now stood fully upright with his head tilted slightly back, as though he were recalling some fond memory.\n`\"...As unrecognized as the day one first enters.\"`\n_ _\n\n`That was, in some part, part of my intent.`\n`But it has only been five years.`\n\n`\"...The Academy never changes...\"`\n\n`\"...Well,\"` He said now, both statements and all the statements following said in a much more clear and direct manner than he had ever spoken before. \n`\"It is not much of a matter of trust, for nothing I can say will build trust between me and you, we being distant strangers who have not yet and can not yet meet.\"`\n`\"I only echo information; it is valuable but unverifiable information; and it is a burden and your burden alone to prove it right or wrong.\"`\n\n`\"...How sad. Trust is...`\n`...Scarcely found in the blood of the Academy.\"`\n\n`\"...The Academy... Never changes.\"`\n\nThe man outstretched both arms, as though in a shrug.\n\n`\"...I only give you a warning\"`\n`\"To beware what you say of what you see\"`\n`\"In the presence of those whose intents you do not and can not know.\"`\n`\"...Hm.\"`\n\n`\"Spoken like this, my concern is perhaps made more clear:`\n`\"...These words of mine are as whole and trustworthy coming from a mysterious man as I,\"`\n`\"...As would be warnings and ill omens of hidden premonitions coming from strangers like you.\"` \n`\"In the end, they are both only words.\"`\n_ _\n\nNow the man, without waiting for any response further from Endeven, quickly placed his hands upon his mask and tugged firmly, an ephemeral and umbral mana cascading all across his body as he did so. His visage was, for a moment, visible; yet in the sudden deluge of unusual mana outpouring, it was quickly hidden within a veil of dark and smoky magic, his body beginning to fade away into shards of darkness that themselves quickly dissipated into the light of the surrounding environment.\n\n`\"Your companion is much more personable than you, Dioscuri,\"` He spoke in reference to Starbi and their immediate and perhaps unwarranted trust.\n`\"Personable and trustworthy.\"`\n`\"But to be untrustworthy is not entirely a bad thing—\"`\n`—for, in that sense, you are much like...—\"`\n\n—his words trailed away, as he disappeared entirely, his wooden mask clattering against the floor, before it, too, shattered into fragments of darkness.\n\nHow strange a man, as empty as a shadow." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Confidence\nThe attitude that Endeven had throughout all of the puppet's speech. Confidently standing there with crossed arms, listening to what he had to say. Confidently peering down to the mage, with a slightly displeased aspect in his look as the mage failed to alter Endevens judgement. \n\nAlthough Endeven acknowledged that he was once part of the Academy, just like he himself is now, Endeven saw the empty mage just as distant as before. \n\n`\"...These words of mine are as whole and trustworthy coming from a mysterious man as I,\"` \n`\"...As would be warnings and ill omens of hidden premonitions coming from strangers like you.\"` \n`\"In the end, they are both only words.\"` \n\nYes, That's true. Nobody would believe them, but Endeven knew that preceding the empty mages appearance too. That's why he was going to look for White September. Despite her entanglement with the O.S.A, she would surely be able to identify the threat of this situation.. If she believed them. \n\nAs the sorcerer's mask fell to the ground and shattered, Endeven would only stare, lost in thought, pondering whether or not he should trust this individual. If Starbi started speaking, he would be interrupted by a sharp Psst! From Endeven. Until this point nothing the mage said had gotten to his head, but those last words. Endeven, despite knowing it was the truth, hated being considered as lower than Starbi in the element of being personable. \n\nMuch more personable than me? Of course. He is a naïve child. What does he know? A pacifist that is incapable of realizing when to retreat. Incapable of recognizing a possible threat standing right infront of him.\n\nI'm different. I'm intelligent. I'm a genius. Why would i listen to the words of a puppeteer, unable to give me reason to believe him? My own judgement is what will determine my path.\n\nStill in thought, Endeven questioned the benefit of having Starbi follow along. Afterall, he wasn't a capable combatant, nor did he seem like he could understand the complexity of things. Endeven appreciated Starbi's obedience and loyalty though, leaving the choice up to the kid himself:\n\n```ini\n[\"Come along, if you still wanna go with me. I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of going separate ways though. No matter what others impose on me, I have my own plans and will exercise them based on my own Judgement. Just like you have the decision to split or follow now.\"]\n```\n`...`\n\n`...So why does it feel like...`\n\n`...My Judgement is wrong here?`" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi watched as the empty mage quickly vanished. The mask dropping on the floor with a solid clanking sound as it disappeared so quickly.\n\nStarbi didn't understand most of the situation. Starbi had just listened to the conversation both of them for the most part without his sudden chime in.\nStarbi turned to Endeven, as he then felt something, a very faint.. Bitter feeling from Endeven, was something bothering him? Starbi wasn't exactly sure.\nStarbi then heard Endeven speaking, offering him to tag along with him, a friendly smile quickly forming on his face.\n\"Oh! I'd love to tag along!! I don't mind going with you! Starbi responded with cheer in his voice. He was happy to still stick around with someone at least! His joyful aura strengthing slightly, if not even clashing a bit against the doubt Endeven had.\n\"This'll be fun! Just say the word, and I'll do whatever you need me to do!!\" Starbi added, his joyful smile still remaining on his face." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```ini\n[\"Fun? I will try. Let's focus on preventing the threat though. If the Preminition truly is a Preminition, then what has been shown to me is nothing that should be taken lightly or with 'Fun'.\"]\n```\n\nUp the stairs they ascended. Endeven had already made his decision on them not meeting the empty mage's true iteration before. Despite this, his gut feeling made him rethink everything the puppet said. In the end, considering mostly logic but also partly emotion, he changed his mind.\n\nThe comment that he made a bet against Endeven was the deciding factor in this reevaluation - Something of incredibly small significance - Yet, someone who intended to get on Endeven's good side would have stated to have made a bet in his favor - Meanwhile, the empty mage's statement sounded somewhat mocking. \n\nWith a quick change of mood, partially caused by his satisfaction with that decision, partially caused by Starbi's joyful aura, Endeven started speaking to Starbi in a more lighthearted tone:\n\n```ini\n[\"Finally, some fresh air.. Let's wait here then. He did say, his arrival would be delayed, didn't he? Five Minutes. That's all he gets. If he hasn't shown up until then, we will move on.\"]\n``` \n\nThe sorcerer leaned against a wall near the metro's entrance with his back, taking out his phone. Tap tap tap He quickly went through his contacts, looking for someone's name. \n\n```ini\n[\"In the meantime, I'll make a quick phonecall so we don't waste any time. I think I know someone who might be able to help us out with this whole situation.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "\"You never know, Dioscuri! This is a turn of events here, for all we know it could just be a misunderstanding! And a surprise from this king, I can't wait to meet the guy who helped form the event too!\" Starbi spoke as he followed Endeven up the stairs with glee.\n\n\"This festival brought so many smiles on so many faces, where we can all talk, hang out, eat some good food, you know! It made a lot of people smile, and I couldn't be happier about that! So if I ever meet this king guy, I have to thank him for helping make people smile!\" Starbi rambled with glee, the joyful aura increasing. \n\nThis is how Starbi saw the situation at least, he's the kind of person who would focus on the bright side of things in every situation, trying to smile in the darkest of days, such is the life he's made for himself, to try and bring cheer and bright sides to everyone out there.\n\nStarbi then followed Endeven outside of the metro's entrance, as Endeven spoke, holding a phone in his hand.\n\"Oh, yeah no worries!!! Take your time!!\" Starbi spoke, as he then wandered around a little bit, following along with cheerful twirls with his arms spread out a bit. It was then that he took out his phone too, holding it in a landscape portrait with his thumbs placed against the screen to play a sort of game on his phone, the volume set to low.\n\n``\" Bandori! Girls band party! \"``\n\nThat's what the game sounded out faintly, Starbi's eyes locked on the screen as faint but cheerful music could be heard from his phone. A harmless rhythm game for Starbi to play while Endeven's on the phone." }, { "author": "Blossom d'Ecritoire", "message": "Meanwhile, the recipient of the phone call was in a situation they really did not like. They were dragged along here by their relatives, currently close to the heart of the festivities much to Blossom's dismay. The stalls did look interesting sure, but they were too crowded for them to even dare approaching them.\n\nIt was all for ''good public appearances'' they were told. They simply had to go to the festival and make sure that people saw them, that way people would see them more highly than otherwise. Blossom found this reason well... You can probably guess. They were pretty upset about it.\n\nAfter a good while of being dragged around by their relatives, their phone started buzzing. Finally they had the chance to step away from the massive amount of people present and so they quickly excused themselves and slipped away to a much quieter area, with fewer people around. It's probably a good idea to be able to hear what you're saying when answering a phone call.\n\nThey answered the phone call, right after seeing the contact read 'Endeven Dioscuri'. They were a bit curious to why he would call them, but that'd probably be explained soon. So, they put the phone to their ear, hearing the familiar mans voice.\n\n```\n\"It's been a while, Hasn't it?\"\n```\nThe crowds could be heard from the distance, Blossom wondered if Endeven could hear the crowd in the distance. It was quite loud, louder than Blossom would prefer anyway.\n\n```\n\"Unfortunately... It's so busy that I can't even look at the stalls.\"\n```\nIt was quite obvious from their tone of voice that they did not have a fun time. Then again is was very likely he already knew they wouldn't have a great time. They'd much rather be at home playing video games." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "The sound of people was most of what Endeven heard as the recipient answered. It's a wonder they were even able to make out what Endeven said while among the packed crowd. However, this came to benefit Endeven greatly, since he could try to convince Blossom to move over to Endeven's and Starbi's location while they waited for the empty mage to show up - As a backup.\n\n```ini\n[\"I can imagine. Shall i save you from Monsieur Father? I can provide a good reason for you to disappear. At the moment this alibi is rather secretive though, don't tell anyone, got it?\"]\n```\n\nEndeven guessed that Blossom's relatives would most likely be accepting about their family member leaving them, if Blossom was able to act against an event of such severity. Though, this whole Premonition story was mostly speculation, Endeven had strong feelings about this danger, as he was generally a very paranoid person. \n\nThe way he described the story to Blossom made it sound like the Premonitions were definitely going to happen, which was exactly what Endeven's anxious side assumed about them.\n\n```ini\n[\"To put it into few words, I participated in the fish hunt, hosted by the O.S.A and encountered the Spirit-Koi. Me and two girls that were present aswell were affected by this Koi's ability and heard strange words. It felt like they came from the future... Like they're PREMONITIONS... And they imply the king being forced to protect his people while he is outside of his kingdom, Finire, which could be this very evening.\"]\n```\n\nAs he described the situation he intuitively started walking, then turning back and then forth again, as if he was patrolling the entrance of the metro station. He gave Starbi another gaze, staring at the starborns phone display, as he still explained the situation to Blossom. It would seem like Endeven was watching the gameplay, but in reality he was too focused on the call to recognize what Starbi was doing. Afterwards Endeven walked away from Starbi once again.\n\n```ini\n[\"I have a grim feeling about this, you know?\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Blossom d'Ecritoire", "message": "They carefully heard the man out, a reason to escape from the horror that is their family would always be nice. They thought so at least, their family probably disagreed.\n\n```\n\"A reason to leave, well I'd certainly appreciate that.\"\n```\n\nThey generally believed Endeven. So if he told them something well, they would probably buy it even if it was just speculation. Of course wording it like fact rather than guesswork does help in convincing them.\n\n```\n\"Well that sounds like a big problem... Almost sounds like many people would get...\"\n```\n\nThey thought about it again, if innocent people would be hurt that'd be well... About the worst possible outcome one could think of. So if they could help in any way naturally they would agree to that. Besides its not like they are that fragile... Okay maybe they are but thats besides the point, they con protect themselves against a decent amount of threats.\n\n```\n\"I can understand why you would feel grim about it. I also think I'm getting why you called me now... So then, what do you need from me?\"\n```\n\nIt wasn't that weird of an assumption to make. Obviously Endeven wouldn't call Blossom to tell them all this only to just not ask them to help. Obviously Endeven wanted to make use of Blossom's skills and very unique magic. So they held the phone close to their ear still, waiting for Endeven to explain what he really needed from them." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "*Don't forget about the looming danger.\nLeft then right. Left again and then right again, Endeven kept strolling around the metro's entrance as he listened to Blossom ask his question. He was nervously checking the buildings and streets around them. There was no way of telling where the anticipated danger would come from - A distressing worry of Endeven. At some point the enemy might just show up. Maybe even before they would be able to make preparations. Lost in thought, Endeven gave a slightly delayed but confident answer to Blossom: \n\n```ini\n[\"As you know, only few people should know about this whole story. \"]\n\n[\"The fact that you willingly believe me right off the bat is clear proof that you're someone I can put my trust into.\"]\n\n[\"Im currently alone here with some kid, so some assistance from a skilled sorcerer like you would be great. Could you come over?\"]\n```\n\nAs Endeven spoke he had already removed his phone from the ear and started tapping on it. He quickly listened to his surroundings and came to realize that there was a more intense sound of crowd, than when he had first arrived here. For a second Endeven paused again, his green eyes quickly examining the area around them, while he wondered when the empty mage was going to show up and if he was going to show up at all. The way that Endeven described his prior distrust towards the magician might've made him assume that Endeven was reluctant to convene. \n\nIt's a very justified assumption to make. Even the sorcerer himself knew that. Tap\n\n`Blossom received a message.`* \n\n```ini\n[\"Check your phone, I passed our location over to you. It should be fairly close to the heart of the event. Judging by sound clues, the King is close to this place, so you're probably not too far off either. \"]\n```" }, { "author": "Blossom d'Ecritoire", "message": "While they continued to listen to Endeven explain the situation. They were thinking of how to slip away mostly unnoticed. When they realised they already, did that. So instead they were simply letting the sorcerer explain the situation more.\n\n```\n\"A kid? I'm assuming they accidentally got roped into the mess? I'll be over as soon as I can. Helping prevent... Problems would be ideal obviously.\"\n```\n\nThey were quite shocked to learn a child had been roped into the mess as well. It made Blossom want to help Endeven even more if anything. Children are usually still innocent, unaware of what life will hold for them. Having them be hurt at a young age could change their life for the worse forever. So, Blossom would do anything they can to make sure children don't have to go trough a mess like that. Blossom was getting slightly annoyed from the amount of people, seriously who thought festivals were fun anyway?\n\n```\n\"Ah, Yeah I see it. I'm not too far away luckily, I'll hang up for now then, expect me in around five to ten minute accounting for the crowd.\"\n```\n\nThey pressed the end call button, navigating to the location Endeven had sent them. It wouldn't normally take longer than a minute or three to get there, but unfortunately there are a lot of people which made getting anywhere quite difficult. They don't have any faster way to get there either so they have no other choice other than to simply: Walk. " }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi was just focusing on his rhythm game. His eyes, ears, and complete focus are aimed at the phone's game and music. Notes of different variants come close together to the judgment line, flicks, hold notes, and slide flicks. Most of them were pressed by Starbi with great accuracy, having a great full combo going for the song \"KING\". \n\nHad Endeven listened, he would've heard the intense musical instruments coming from the starborn's phone, following along with lyrics sung by a girl in Japanese.\n\n```\nレフトサイド,　ライトサイド\n歯をむき出して　パッパッパッ　照れくさいね\nレフトサイド,　ライトサイド\n歯を突き出して　パッパッパッ\nHAHA\nYOU ARE KING.\n```\n\n\nThat's what the voice sang out, the heavy intense music continuing as Starbi's thumbs pressed against his screen at an alarming pace.\nBefore Starbi spoke, his eyes stuck on his screen.\n\n\"Hey, are you done talking with your friend? I think I heard you saying goodbye.\" Starbi asked, it was then the song seemed to be finished, it wasn't a full combo, but it was a good play, S-Rank, not bad.\nStarbi then turned his head up to Endeven, now that he didn't need to look at his phone currently.\n\n\"I can't wait to meet them though!!\" Starbi spoke with his signature smile.\n\"I'm glad to know you have other friends!! I'm sure they're a nice person!!!\"\nStarbi added.\n\nAn expression of confusion was brushed on Starbi's face when he heard Endeven. \nHm? A loner? What did he mean by that, did he say something wrong? Starbi thought that Endeven was a cool wizard, so he figured that he had cool wizard friends as well, or something like that. \n\nHe was going to respond instantly, but Endeven interrupted him, saying he was going to call another acquaintance, and for him to think of an answer. \nStarbi already had an answer prepared the moment Endeven asked the initial question, he didn't think he was a loner, quite the contrary, he thought he had other cool wizard friends too!\nStarbi waited, his eyes looking at Endeven on the phone, a measly 10 seconds passing by.\nEndeven spoke, looking at Starbi;\n\n\"My reason is that I think that a cool wizard like you has lots of other wizard friends!\" Starbi responded with glee.\n\n\"Cause if you have other friends, then that means I can make more friends too!\" He added, \n\n\"Having friends is something cool because friends can help each other be happy! And in turn, everyone is happy! For the fact they made someone happy, and they know that there are people out there who make Them Happy too!\" He explained,\n\n\"And I'm glad to know that there are people out there who make you happy as well!! And I can't wait to meet them so we can all be happy together!\" He added once more, \n\n\"That's something worth being happy for, isn't it?\" \n\nStarbi ended his small speech with a rhetorical question, a smile of bright joy brushed on his face, a sense of cheer looming over the area he and the sorcerer were in.\n\nStarbi kept his bright smile on his face as he heard Endeven agreeing with him. It made him happy that End understood what he meant. Friends being there for eachother, and making eachohter smile, smiling altogether is what makes Starbi show his brightest smile, his Joyful Aura increasing its strength over the area.\n\nBut it was then that Endeven's friendly approach turned into something.. Sharp, something sudden. Asking him a weird question, huh- he didn't expect that question to come towards him ever.\nEndeven then began speaking, talking about potential danger, the next conversation was something familiar.\nEndeven brought up Starbi's practical lack of combat experience, and then an interesting point.\n\n``` [\"You need to understand, there are bad people out there that won't easily be swayed with words. If Bucket hat from earlier was not just a participant of the event and wanted to seriously harm you, then what? Your words did not stop him from clashing against me Athena and the sulky one.\"]```\n\nWhen Starbi heard these words, he felt.. A bit of a soggy feeling, like a damp piece paper weak to being torn to pieces with the slightest tug. Well, he didn't really think of that since he's got here, \n\n\"Well, I'm going to stick by your side in this! Right now, it's just me, you, your friend and the mage!\"\nStarbi responded.\n\n\"I know that things are gonna be okay though, so I'm gonna stick around with you!\" Starbi added.\n\n\"And even if something happens, that's the beauty of the sudden change of fate!\"\nStarbi assured,\n\n\"Whatever happens, you always got a friend like me to be there for you!\"\nStarbi had his arms open wh wide with his phone in one of his hands." }, { "author": "dreamstxr", "message": "Starbi's smile remained before Endeven started to speak again. Did he say something wrong? What was it this time?\nStarbi wanted to listen and understand what Endeven meant, but he couldn't understand what was wrong.\n\nStarbi's damp and soggy-like-papery feeling remained, it felt as if the paper kept getting soggier and soggier. Starbi's now confused expression faltered, but he kept his composure.\n\n```[\"You and I, we are not friends. You may consider me a friend, but same cannot be said the other way.\"]```\n\nThose words, those words stuck to Starbi, they were.. Sharp, like that soggy piece of paper was torn without a doubt. A.. Nervous feeling resonated within Starbi. The confused expression on his face cracked as he clenched his teeth lightly. Endeven then brought questions, questions like if Endeven was ever in danger, would Starbi be there to defend him.\n\n\"..Of course, I would! I would never think twice about helping you. What are friends for if we can't help each other? I'm gonna try my best to help! That's a promise from yours truly!\" Starbi spoke, his mouth shook for a small moment, as he smiled in response to Endeven's questions. What was Endeven saying, what was he trying to do..? Those words..;\n\n```[\"We are not friends.\"]```\n\nThose words stuck in Starbi's head, he tried his smile, his smile hiding behind clenched teeth. His teeth clenched to deal with a feeling Endeven had given Starbi, it felt.. Sore, Starbi didn't like that feeling.\n\n\"..Just say the word, whatever you want me to do and I'll help you and everyone else! I've been doing a good job at that so far!\" Starbi added.. If Endeven noticed,\nStarbi's voice strained slightly, \nAs if it was a subtle plea." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi felt a bit.. At ease after his speech and Endeven's words. He was willing to put this past them and forget with no problem! Silence hit the room, but a weak sense of joy accompanied the silence.. But it was weak, significantly weak.\nStarbi's clenched teeth eased, he knew Endeven probably had his reasons for this, he was smart, and calculated, and it was probably something good, but Starbi didn't know exactly what he wanted to do.\n\nHe then began hearing something, he was a bit taken aback by it, it didn't seem like Endeven heard it himself. \nIt was.. Weird to describe, it wasn't a joyful feeling, it was.. A warm feeling, a voice.. Was it Endeven? Starbi kept his eyes on Endeven, but he didn't seem to be speaking.\nStarbi remained with his composure, he didn't want to seem surprised. But he focused on the strange voice, he couldn't understand it.. But, it felt.. Comforting as it washed all your worries in an instant.\n\nEndeven then began speaking to Starbi, as if he decided something;\n\n```[\"Please respect my boundaries in return and defend yourself from dangers while you're not with me.\"]```\n\nThat's what Endeven offered in exchange for him protecting Starbi. He didn't know what he meant by that, where did that come from? Starbi didn't know.\n\"Alright! That's a certified Starbi-promise from yours truly! I'll do my best to protect myself while you're not with me, you can count on that Endeven!\"\nStarbi agreed in a matter of seconds, his expression turning into his signature smile once more. It was as if all the discomfort he was feeling went away, in its own way.\n\n\"I'm sticking with you, so you can count on me not to get in anyone's way!\"\nHe promised without a doubt." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```ini\n[✦ \"Good to hear.\" ✦]\n```\n\n`Blow-dried glass shards in my left pocket.`\n`I let them ferment in a concrete ceiling.`\n`They don't reek of booze anymore.`\n`Wow, that's incredible.` \n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Let's hope that puppeteer shows up soon.\" ✦]\n```\n\nAnd Blossom too.." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "The circumstances were far from ideal. Yes, there was no identifiable risk of fatality or serious injury, which was ultimately the only thing that Mattered, but that was hardly the problem between this foe of unforeseen capability— to a level that Salhaeja was simply not well-equipped to dissect on Ha's behalf— and the general contradiction of engaging in this unimportant fish chase in the first place, as aforementioned. All that doesn't even mention that they have an express purpose for being here, and wasting her energy on this meaningless affair would not be conducive to eventually addressing that issue. Keeping this 'vow' meant something to the blade, representing some sort of abstract belief that transcended the clarity of their goals, for reasons purely unknown, and yet somehow pertinent enough to seemingly take priority over the mission at hand. Still, the swordswoman does what she is told absent of much contemplation, even in her enhanced state, and much as it put strain on his logic, this was nevertheless no exception. In part, this was a blunder caused by sentimentality that was not totally uncharacteristic of Salhaeja, although the sudden abandonment of their agenda certainly was.\n\nNow was the time for action, though, not reflection. The two main benefits of heading south was ideally creating fuel for enough chaos to act as a diversion in order to come up with a more effective strategy against this particular opponent, as well as the tunnel system that he'd made note of at some point while traveling throughout festival. As DISTORT And DOUBLE Faded— Salhaeja noted that Sable was able to essentially use a forced transport technique to get rid his clone— her speed were dwindle to a still fairly significant, steady 25 miles per hour, give or take. Her image became clear, and one could see the shifting movements of Both Of her legs, which was certainly bizarre for anyone that had seen her prior to this exchange. Yet, her expression remai\n\nNed the same, if not even less responsive than it was already, and it was almost like she'd gone from impersonal to inhuman, acting only in reflex and absent of coherent thought. There were some cracks in her sunglasses as a result of a slight, but costly misstep considering the speed she was traveling at, and part of her Nyan Cat tee was ripped towards her right shoulder. She firmly gripped her companion in her right hand, and Sal did his best to continue making mental notes of Sable, as well as Gold; he still was under the impression that they did not share the same enemy, and that could be useful, perhaps even critical. \n\nThere it was. A simple descending staircase with a overarching roof, somewhat crowded with dim lighting, though that aided by the two presiding characters within it. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for Sal to provide instruction other than the appearance of their destination, but Ha had enough wit in this condition to improvise. She felt the wind above, identifying the flow of rows of banners and streamers that had enough width to act as a. . . Liaison, to her destination. With virtually no hesitation, she turned her heel and kicked her foot against the construction of a Mesa building , using it combined with her maintained speed to bounce off at a sufficient velocity and grab onto the streamers with her sword, holding it's center with both hands. Like a makeshift zipline, she accelerated quickly off growing momentum, vaulting herself through the tight window of entry, just managing to not clip her head. \n\nHowever, it was still not an entirely successful maneuver— as are most things she did excluding Sal's input— and as a result, Ha still ended up bumping shoulders with Endeven, before tumbling down several steps. She was unscathed by this but it'd hurt like a Bitch Once she returned to normal. Starbi and End had a clear view of her, and she quickly planted her sword against the ground, using it to stand herself up." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "A tingling sensation of minimal pain in Endeven's upper nape, where Oculus Accortex resided, was indicating the speed of a dangerous approaching entity. Endeven ruled out the possibility of this being Blossom since they would be easily identifiable by their pink color. It had also only been around four to five minutes since their call ended. Is this the puppeteer? \n\nThat assumption quickly vanished as Endeven's keen sense of the arcane recognized a certain trace. Is this the Spirit-Koi's Mana? An enemy in Endeven's eyes. Elechrome Energy manifested throughout Endeven's body, due to the unknown location of this threat. Ha swung through the air towards Endeven while the latter moved his hands closely together in an attempt to form a handsign while warning Starbi:\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Incoming P-!\" ✦]\n```\n\n`THUD`\n\nHa bumped into Endeven: He lost his balance, fell over like a bowling pin and ended up a few stairs closer to the entrance than Ha. Although he managed to land on his four limbs after crashing on his back, the fall was still painful, especially to his spine, which had been injured not too long ago. During the short moment they made contact, a minimal black charge was inflicted on the swordswoman, which would be left unnoticed by Ha herself, since energy of such low concentration would possess no idle sound. \n\n```ini\n[✦ \"You... Again..?\" ✦]\n``` \n\nHis head snapped at the woman near him as Endeven got up on his knees, but - It wasn't Vaughan? \n\nPreviously she got hold of the koi-fish - which wasn't too long ago, but Endeven didn't recognize this person as the girl he had met earlier, thus concluding that Vaughan left the metro and was defeated by this individual, which would explain why she is in possession of the Spirit-Koi now.\n\nSo this was not Vaughan, it was another participant. Slightly Embarrassing for the sorcerer.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Ah- Apologies-\" ✦]\n``` \n\nDespite the polite attitude and calm voice, his hands smoothly folded into a hand sign in an instant. The palms faced the ground as one left finger after the other slid to the side of its right counterpart, each tip pointing downward. \n\n`Quasar Locus: Bend`\n`Plus 100 KG`\n \nBefore Ha managed to get up completely, a sudden weight would begin pulling her down, as if she was tied to a weight of almost double her own. While the bare weight was incapable of damaging Ha it would pull her down to the dirty stairs. Clinging onto the sword she used to get up would be her only way of not being pressed against the ground.\n\nUp on his feet again, Endeven descended the stairs towards Ha, as a wave of rather dark and indigo mana surged around his body: Mana Reinforcement. Like water it streamed down into his right leg, hinting towards his next action: An attempt to disarm the swordswoman, before a battle could even start. While contact with a soul-wielding individual affected by Quasar Locus: Bend Was not possible, the same could not be said for The Slayer, which was not affected by the ability to bend mass.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Let's chat.\" ✦]\n``` \n\nThe voice speaking did seem peaceful and noble, but considering the spell that Endeven had immediately cast against Ha would leave doubt in the sincerity of his tone. \n\n~~[✦ \"It's very convenient for me that we've met. I don't intend on fighting, don't worry. But I disfavor the presence of that weapon..\" ✦]~~ \n\n~~Whether or not Ha was still upright or not, Endeven would place his right foot with concentrated mana reinforcement on the sword's side. He would then make his two hands split again, ending the technique and removing the simulated mass, while simultaneously charging his leg with Protochrome energy.~~\n\n~~What Endeven was trying to achieve here, was a minimal white charge on the sword. This would push the sword out of her hand with a harmless Monochromate Reaction between it and the black-charged Ha, whilst he lead the swords trajectory downward the staircase with a kick of reinforced strength.~~" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Entering Immediately After the figure following Ha, Gold bears witness to BEND.\n\n\"Nah-\" It's well-within Gold's best interest to keep Ha Moving, not because he cares about the fish, but because he cares about Sable.\n\nAs such, the second he realizes that mana is Holding Ha from moving, Gold immediately and hastily activates A Mental Lever Long Enough, keeping the 10 provided kilograms of Bend Off of Ha's person. \"Keep fuckin' movin'!!!-\" He calls out, instructing Ha to keep pushing forward as he floats forward himself, reading the Palm Gun To continue trying to lift the shard off of Sable's shoulder.\n\nThis isn't Really A truce, moreso just a... Momentary synchronization of goals between the two; Gold cares Not For the fish.\n\n\nTo Endeven, perhaps, the Palm Gun Itself offers an interesting aura to observe — one that, despite its technological advancements being on-time for This World, seems Yet To have been pulled through the fabric of multiple timelines, emitting a much more reserved, yet similar aura to that of an Anomaly." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "`That is——`\n\nSable's traced Ha as she descended into the metro tunnel, her golden irises watching from a moderate distance as she continued to push through the crowd closeby the Margo Aeternitatis.* Pale-gold flames enveloped her right palm as she produced another two flames of candlelight that hovered directly at her sides, the initial four encompassing her now having spread far away from her, two in direct pursuit of Ha and two behind and flanking her on either side. \n\n`——a mistake.`\n\nThe transparent aura of a pale-gold flame engulfed Sable's right foot — elementally-infused mana seethed off its surface as external reinforcement was brought forth. In light of Ha, travelling at inhuman speeds and taking the straightaway into the subterranean metro system, Sable picked up her pace considerably, shoving inbetween the members of the crowd and approaching at a speed somewhat, though not vastly, slower than the Koi-holder's own.\n\n*`CLAP.`\n\n—A flame ahead of her is snuffed. The flames around her waver. Sable and the shard with her disappears in a cloud of smoke, remanifesting just outside the entry to the metro staircase (consequently avoiding Gold's attempt to leverage the shard away from her. The magician bursts forwards with speed following her spontaneous manifestation, down the stairs, down after Ha, golden irises and the subtle light of the candleflames affixed upon those who would come between her and her target: Endeven and Starbi. She briefly surveyed them from the top of the staircase as she descended, yet her focus and attention would still ultimately be fixed on the one who held the Koi._ _\n\n`It's a straight shot.`\n`I won't let them slow me down.`\n\nWhether Ha was incapacitated or not, Sable had found a great advantage merely in the fact that they were now in an underground, linear tunnel-system. Her pale-gold mana flares with a fiery aspect off of both her hands. One of the several flames that had now converged to hover concentrically about her is manipulated with a subtle motion of her finger — brought to float just above her right palm — as a discernable magical presence cascaded forward from her fingertips, suffusing the freefloating external manifestation of her technique — a single `LONT`* Among many — her index now outstretched, Pointing toward the end of the tunnel.\n\n*```asciidoc\n☾• \"Ga voort.\" :: •☽```\n\nLike firing an arrow, the flame is projectiled at incredible speeds down the hall, flying well past Ha toward the opposite end of the tunnel.\n\n`CLAP.`\n\nHer hands come together, her eyes closing, as that very same flame is snuffed; She had teleported directly ahead of Ha.* The flames waver, hovering in formation where she once stood, the spectral image of her previous location still manifest and dissipating like a cloud of smoke. In doing this, she would bypass the possibility of the individuals already within the tunnel slowing her down while simultaneously cutting Ha's escape route off.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Enough running.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"You will never escape from me again.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"I will make better use of the Koi than you, in any case,\" :: she confidently asserted. •☽```\n\nSable slowly pulled her palms away from eachother, her eyes reopening as they now locked with those positioned directly opposite herself: Endeven and Starbi again, and, of course, Ha and Gold behind him. She squints, elemental mana still fluorescing from both of her hands as the vestiges of her technique fade away, much unlike the golden gleam of her irises, which remained as steadfast as the moment she initially met Ha." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Everything happened in an instant; \nFrom Starbi's sense of relief to the acrobatic that crashed into Endeven which left them tumbling down the metro stairs. To Endeven casting a spell and in turn, disarmed the acrobat, which was followed by a man with purple colored hair lifting Endeven's spell off of the acrobat, and next; with a strange individual with the use of fire magic.\nIn the end with the sorcerer Endeven creating a sort of portal beneath himself and the acrobatic.\n\nAll in all, Starbi was struck with oblivion, so to speak. \nEverything happened in an instant, with him just idling by as he let Endeven handle everything. It was better than him getting in the way, Endeven knew what he was doing.\nHe figured perhaps he should go look for some sort of help, maybe looking for the puppeteer or Endeven's friend, if Starbi could even do that as he didn't know what either of them actually looked like. \nBut in the end, what would that mean for Starbi? Starbi would do good to look for help and not get in the way, but what if this was an exception? He was sure that Endeven could handle himself while Starbi was gone, Starbi was practically useless in combat.\n\nBut to Starbi, it was possibly 3 against 1, albeit a split brawl as the 3 people to what Starbi could figure were participants, 2 of them running away from the 4th person to make it here, not to mention the acrobat being disarmed by Endeven himself a few minutes ago.\nWas Endeven able to handle himself regardless? Starbi felt a bit unsure, one might say a bit stressed. Perhaps he may have to intervene, but in the end, what could he even manage to do? \nStarbi promised to not get in the way, bu-" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"REMAIN PATIENT. AWAIT OPPORTUNITY.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "These were the words that echoed through Ha's mind during each passing second of the expanding encounter. It was not to be confused with a call for composure— despite the circumstances being seemingly unfavorable and only becoming worse, she hadn't once reacted viscerally aside from groans, nor did she have anything to say that would insinuate she was apprehensive. As such, her blade was not asking her to stay poised, but to simply be more cautious and strategic in course of action, citing her failed attempt at improvising that landed them in this situation thereafter. She lightly nodded in acknowledgement, which was lost in the chaos of the standoff between these new foes of unknown capabilities. For what it was worth, this was exactly what the sword was hoping for. An unsound environment is a breeding ground for leverage previously unattainable, and his belief did not wane upon separation from Ha, having been kicked further downstairs by Endeven, the stranger they bumped into. He could return to her sheath as a SOUL-bound weapon, something he must've presumably not known, but there was still reason beyond that simple fact for his confidence.\n\nEndeven was successful in pinning Ha against the ground using Bend, and when Gold attempted to help her by interrupting the ability, she made what looked like a failed effort to escape, of which was in reality not an actual attempt to begin with, as instructed. Theoretically, she Could've, with full exertion of physical capacity in an enhanced state, been able to physically remove herself— or simply used an ability for that matter to combat it— but doing so in the midst of what was taking place was contrary to what Salhaeja had made a point of, albeit doing nothing would also arouse suspicion. So, she put on Another Act that ideally would go better than the previous one, and then waited, per Sal's suggestion. \n\nShe essentially ignored Sable, because her threats and boasts weren't useful information by any stretch. In\n\nFairness, though, her last statement was probably true assuming they cared even in the slightest. The swordswoman still believed that the fish was trivial, a by-product of meaningless desire inconducive to task completion. Unlike her physical capacity, her 'feelings' had not changed in the slightest, and yet everyone else coveted the item. That had to be for a reason, except it was one that she couldn't care about unless it was relevant to her exclusively.\n\nInitially, Sal did not have a clear line of sight of the Dutch mage, nor Gold or Starbi due to being kicked aside, which inclined Ha to take it upon herself to substitute on his behalf instead of continuing a forced escape. She attempted to listen to the smattering of voices and clashing abilities (effectively so), and then could feel the added 20 or so KGs added by Endeven in reaction to Golds intervention. Waiting would surely be better, but suddenly– Salhaeja was, by unknown means, able to return to her side. Yes, he could have returned anytime, but this was Not His doing. It was as if what just happened was. . . Undone. Furthermore, the effects of Bend were now gone, and Ha was fully capable of moving if she so pleased. Sal did not instruct her to do so, so she didn't.\n\n__\nNow back in the picture, he made mental notes of all of his potential opponents and/or allies. He was focused on Endeven in particular, largely because he began to create what were effectively portals– another significant transport-ability from their enemies. Aside from that, the blade was uncertain of his motivations or what his goal really was, but he was aware of two things: he Knew What Sal was based on his words, which few did, and he wanted to speak to his wielder about something excluding him. He was actually saving her here, but why? His questionableness was enough to make an enemy of Salhaeja, even if he supposedly asked Ha to 'trust him' and was helping her escape. Endeven may very well still try and subdue her upon their locational change, and he had no way of knowing of his intentions were malicious unless they Spoke. Also. . . If he knew what Salhaeja was. . . Before?\n\nHe'd have to revisit that. For now, he quickly acknowledged the situation— they had gained some separation from the group thanks to Endevens initial wormhole, situated within darkness, and there was another portal of dark variation, one that he presumably left there either intentionally or unintentionally. Endeven would feel a slightly sharp push in the back, as he and Ha would both enter, transporting themselves to where Sal assumed it was safer, perhaps deeper into the metro station. \n\nThe moment they were in a tangible space, Ha would oblige Salhaejas instructions to quickly diverge and distance herself from Endeven, quickly springing herself backwards and holding up Salhaeja in a fighting stance. To ensure there was an insurance policy, DOUBLE Had reactivated; a purple hue emitted from the original blade, and its copy tapped the shoulder of Endeven, remaining ever so close to his neck after appearing suddenly from darkness. It was what pushed him into the portal. Sal wouldn't strike, however, and he would do something else that would draw a confused look from Ha." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"THE GIRL IS BROKEN AND NOT EQUIPPED TO SPEAK WELL. THIS 'KOI' IS OF NO INTEREST TO ME OR HER. WE ARE HERE FOR AN OBJECTIVE. WE DO NOT SEEK QUARREL.\"]\n```\n. . .What's this? Salhaeja was breaking his rules. He rarely spoke to anyone but Ha herself, and yet, Endeven could hear a distinctly uneven voice echoing in his mind. The clone of Sal backed up slightly, as to signify that he had no intention of slicing his neck open. He meant what he said.\n\n```ini\n[\"WHAT IS IT YOU ARE AFTER? PUT YOUR DISDAIN ASIDE AND WE MAY COME TO AGREEABLE TERMS. WHATEVER DREAD YOU HOLD FOR ME, I HOLD THE SAME FOR MYSELF.\"]\n```\nRather transparent of him to add, but for what it was worth, he understands the man's disgust at him in knowing what he was, and perhaps what he'd done in the past. Salhaeja truly felt the same." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "A breeze of air went through Endeven's purple hair and made it flow upwards as he fell through the wormhole that had formed underneath his feet. If Gold and Starbi paid a bit of attention to Endeven, they would get a short glimpse of Oculus Accortex, the passive incarnation of Endeven, which would normally be hidden underneath the strands on his hind neck: An eye centered on his nape with an iris resembling a nebula of countless stars, fixed onto Gold.\n\n`For a moment only they could bear witness the ability that Endeven tried to keep as a secret, since it was a clear weakness to him.`\n\n`For a moment.`\n\n`Quasar Locus: Rend` \n\nHis arm swiped upwards as his head sank through the portal, as if it was going underwater. Within a second, the portal got sealed and sight through it became completely obscured by a barrier of what seemed like a pure abyss - Space torn asunder - To call it a barrier was plain incorrect, as it was a spot in the universe lacking the weave of space in its entirety and as such, nothing was capable of piercing it. \n\nBend, Bind and now Rend. All within few seconds. Excessive use of Quasar Locus took its toll on Endeven, quickly realized by the fact that lightheadedness struck him as he cast this spell. Too much.. This is getting nauseating. Since Quasar interacts with the space that Unity itself is made of, plausibility will interact with Endeven in return too, the more Endeven distorts the concept that authorizes his own existence. Continuing overuse of spatial manipulation would cause a more severe punishment. \n\nNausea reached Endeven as his feet pounded onto the ground from the fall. The two of them landed a decent amount of meters behind Sable at the bottom of the staircase. We have to get into the wormhole quickl- Balance snapped back into Endeven's body as the unpleasant feeling of sickness quickly faded, though it was immediately lost again when he was pushed into his old Bind by something unknown to him, causing him to almost tumble to the ground once again. Ha followed. Despite the unexpected push, Endeven thought Ha was simply going along with his plan, causing him to close the portal. \n\n`Boom!!` \n\nA suspended monochromatic reaction was essentially what held the two locations together. The explosion was merely the release of this suspension. The tear would quickly shrink in size and close indefinitely, leaving the two in darkness, which would only bother Endeven, since Ha was, well, blind, though the sorcerer hadn't yet realized this. Ha jumped away from him, probably out of fear he was going to attack her now. \n```ini\n[✦ \"We shook those off for now. Don't worry, I'm not looking for a fight.\" ✦]\n``` \n\nDespite the seeming safety, something was strange to Endeven.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Though, it's a little dark in here, isn't it?\" ✦]\n```\n\n`Shrill Silence`\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"...\" ✦]\n```\n\nHe wanted to use bright Protochroma to glow up the area, but something told him that using magic and moving would both be horrible ideas.\n\nThere was a ringing sound in Endeven's ears. He felt the presence of this chill steel near his neck causing goosebumps to form all over Endeven's skin. It wasn't cold, but it sent shivers down his spine. The cutting edge capable of smoothly slitting through his throat like butter at any moment. Didn't she just jump away from me? So it's that sword's ability. Endeven had previously sensed the unusual mana of that sword, but he hadn't expected it to have full consciousness. A terrifying realization without the knowledge that Salhaeja isn't anything like a temporal beast. But there must be a reason why Endeven is still capable of worrying about all this, afterall, if this thing really wanted Endeven out of the picture, they could remove him here, withdrawn from all public eyes." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Struggling under the newly added 20 kilograms, but still managing, Gold ends up utilizing a lot more `focus` than originally intended, letting out a sharp groan under pressure from Endeven's Bend, if this keeps up, then- but it doesn't, thankfully.\n\nRegardless of... Whatever existential crisis behind himself was perhaps currently going on, Gold too, advances- trying to once again take the shard off of Sable by force, but not before bearing witness to Endeven's Incarnation, not that it matters right about now to Gold anyway. There is something far more important- that damn shard.\n\nThe Palm Gun Flickers to life again as Gold attempts to once more, shoot Sable. How unpredictable. But, assuming a teleport, Gold has another idea in mind - from his pant pocket, he Senses The bag of change and quickly draws it out, Hoping That Sable draws too close as he readies his special ability - even if it were unnecessary. It would have to be a non-fatal blow, but... One could manage. Maybe another approach would be useful for as fast an opponent as her, but one would just have to wait and see..\n\n\"Th' f-\" And, again, teleportation, but this time from Ha and Endeven - \"-uck??\"\n\n\"Why's everybody in this god-forsaken world seem t' teleport???\" \n\n`Focus. Eyes on the prize.` He shakes his head, refocusing and shooting his shot at the shard-bearer." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "`Disappearance. Teleportation.`\n`Emergence. A new technique.`\n`Revelation. Incarnation.`\n`Dormancy. Apprehension.`\n`Repetition. Aggression.`\n\nSable's irises flickered between the individuals that each made a part of the spectacle before her, the individual licks of candle-flame that encompassed her each shimmering, with a subtle waver-in-light, as all the sorcerer's senses honed; mana surged forward from her spirit with the extension of her scrutiny.\n\n`What chaos.`\n\nThe world seemed to slow in the moments following the sorcerer's—Endeven's—resolution, and the subsequent use of the technique that led to the Koi-holder's—Ha's—disappearance. It was a feeling manifest of the combination between the unconscious consternation brought to Sable by the escape of her quarry in such a startling fashion that allowed no requital, and the conscious effort she made to regain her bearings following her abscondment, rapidly processing the entire situation and calculating her own response before her before anything grew further out of her own control. The golden mana that burned behind her irises — as well as the very same sort of energy flowing throughout both her mind and body — was not for show, and neither were the forms of the flickering flames burning in perpetuity about herself.\n\nThey all, indeed, were individual parts of the same technique. And they all, indeed, gave her the distinct awareness she needed to grasp this situation completely.\n_ _\n\n`I will find you. But first...`\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Ik heb je genoeg beleefdheid getoond.\" :: •☽```\n\n`CLAP.`\n\nSimultaneously with the firing of Gold's weapon as Sable presses both her hands together, ducking downward to dodge the oncoming blast from the Palm Gun, subsequently taking a powerful step forward. Golden lights flicker off her hands as her signature spell is made manifest, the flames around her flickering—Teleportation.* A flame that had remained unseen until this point in time is now snuffed, its position directly behind Gold. One of the lingering flames she had left behind before she entered the tunnel.\n\n*`TTP`\n\n—From behind Gold, the sound of her foot touching against the ground. Again, the silhouette of Sable's ahead of Gold lingers, for a moment so long that one might think she had not teleported at all: just as smoke lingers where a candle is extinguished. As she manifested, she was already so low to the ground that he would not immediately see her immediately if he were to turn, her form—\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Vooruit.\" :: •☽```\n\n—never ending up behind Gold in the first place.\n\nHer voice was hushed as she spoke a simple instruction, two of of the several flames around her volleying towards Gold with the speed of the arrow, one guided straight toward him and the other guided straight for the roof above him, before, this time, she teleported, truly — manifesting point-blank with Gold.\n\nA pebble had landed harmlessly on the ground behind Gold a tempo before Sable began her fronta assault: a feint, and one that intended to exploit Gold's knowledge of Sable's technique and his preparedness for her teleport to begin with. Misdirection paired itself incredibly well with the sorcerer's technique, opening simple opportunities where they might otherwise never appear.\n_ _\n\n`If it were the two of them,`* She thought, translucid, pale-gold flames enshrouding her left fist as she manifested from the teleport, holding the full momentum of her earlier dash forward `perhaps I would have some great deal of trouble, or, perhaps, lose my opportunity outright.`\n`But now that you are alone, and my target remains entrapped within these tunnels,` Her fist now launched in a hook toward Gold's abdomen, reinforced strongly with Sable's attuned elemental affinity, `I need no longer to run.`\n\nHer right hand, still shrouded partially by the smoke that came with the initial manifestation from her technique's teleportation, remained subtly forming a simple handsign as her golden irises locked with Gold's own, watching intently his response to the oncoming blow." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "In reaction to the sudden turn of events- Sable's sudden manifestation- Gold tenses suddenly, watching as her form momentarily shifts and twists into nothing more than a silhouette as the sound of her footsteps grace the ground behind him - but, as Gold turns his head to actually look, he catches wind of the silhouette still remaining.\n\nThe idea changes. What once was a rash readying of an all-or-nothing attack – namely, Pocket Volley – turns into a more mixed maneuver emboldened by the immediate threat of a punch, the wielder instead opting to use the coins themselves with their special coating. Gold quickly opens the ziploc bag, and with his ability, suddenly flicks a coin out of it towards Sable's stomach at a blistering 1,200 ft/s (818 mph/1317 kmh) And prepares to take another shot with the weapon on his hand- Krcckeeeeww.\n\n`'f she's gonna do th' thing she's been doin', I can't 'fford t' be makin' stupid choices.` He knew better. He was trained better. Conditioned better. Come on, Gold-\n\nThe Palm Gun Lights up once more, bolts of purple electricity crawling and crackling from every inch as Gold powers the weapon himself, A Mental Lever Long Enough Suspends the coin in the air – the coin itself having taken an Upward Arc in attempt to both hit Sable and achieve the desired positioning – above the two combatants as Gold prepares to shoot Sable again directly, the core illuminating fully with a brilliant, searing blue, brighter than it had shone before.\n\n`Ya' wanna play a game, let's play a game.`\n\n_ _\nThis was Also A feint, but one that hopefully scares Sable with inherent danger- the blast does Not Materialize quite yet as Gold prepares for an actual teleport in regards to what Sable had just done; the coin itself acting as a ricochet angle of which could be tilted to reflect the energy shot any which way as long as the angling was correct, and additionally staging itself as a versatile projectile in and of itself should the situation call for it. It is only one coin, but maybe that's all he needs..." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"—NO. I WOULD NOT \"PUPPET\" HER. SHE IS. . . VERY UNDESERVING OF THAT.\"]\n```\nA transition from anger to softness was discernable within the distorted vocals of Salhaeja when speaking about his wielder, specifically towards the latter end of his rebuttal. He was insulted at the notion that he actively controlled or manipulated her, even though that was largely true in terms of their dynamic— a rare moment of abandoned emotional composure, as if it were a touchy subject. Perhaps referring to her as 'broken' was excessive, but it was more-so that he, initially, was not comfortable with Ha negotiating with Endeven excluding knowledge of his actual intentions. However, having gained an understanding that he was not innately malicious, and that only he required to use the Koi for a temporary period of time, his skepticism was slightly eased. It turns out he was wrong about the man resenting him in any capacity, as he was instead merely baffled at his overall existence. Furthermore, he was willing to correct his immediate presumptions based on information he was provided. A reasonable individual, crucial to any set agreement.\n\nThe Slayer obliged Endeven's request to remove the blade from his shoulder, deeming that holding DOUBLE To his throat was no longer uneccesary. What was interesting was the mentioning of this 'chaotic' individual. Sal was in fact here for the suppression of a looming threat to the festival, but nothing as concise as a particular entity or foe. Obviously, this gave even stronger reason for an alliance to be formed between Ha and Endeven, being that they were here for likely the same reason, and could very well help each other on that front. The Major Obstacle regarding his proposal was the vow, a problem that was primarily Sal's fault. He did not wish to break it, for personal reasons, but continuing to hold onto that principle would definitively be detrimental to achieving their objective. Still, sentimentality aside, simply giving h\n\nIm the Koi was not an option, unless. . .\n```ini\n[\"I SEE. SPEAK NOW, WARRIOR.\"]\n```\nSal decided to allow Ha to continue the terms of their negotiation, somewhat because of the remark Endeven made earlier about her being a pawn, someone absent of free will, a notion that disturbed him. He called her warrior, which was what he always referred to as in a. . . More or less endearing way. Calling her by her real name triggered bad memories for them both." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha blinked, looking up at Endeven and retracting the primary iteration of her sword slightly at Sal's command, standing firmly. She had a full understanding of the situation, its collective qualms and grievances, a virtue that she wouldn't have possessed without being in her enhanced state. As such, she did not waste any time, abruptly entering a conversational mood.\n\n``\"We made a vow with this Medei I met— Kuouo Aiche Dee. It states we are not to relinquish the fish, and if we do, it'll mean bad things for us.\"`` This was the first time she could truly speak coherently in this form, and the difference was incredulous. Her voice was firm, clear and concise, utterly sure of itself, although still prone to the deterioration of her vocabulary— \"Relinquish\", to \"Bad things\". That old Korean inflection was more noticeable when removing the weakness of her intonation, and yet, there was still a warmness to her approach that maintained itself. It was like an entirely different person.\n\n``\"But. . . There is something we can do, I know.\"`` Sal had a suggestion, although he did not enjoy the idea. The 'vow' had one exploitable exception: if it was to be 'stolen' from her, with utmost certainty, that would exclude the aforementioned consequences. That being the case, all that would need to be done was for Endeven to, within an accurate definition, rob her, barbarically so. It felt like the sort of vileness he'd have done when he was. . . What he used to be, but it was their best move tactically speaking. He had considerable experience with SOUL agreements, after all.\n\n_ _\n``\"You need to hit me, and then take the fish. Not too hard, and you can return it when you're done.\"`` Ha co-signed his theory, naturally. ``\"Please be quick. It'll preserve the vow. I must pretend to fight back.\"`` She returned to her fighting stance, the blade exposed as if ready to strike, giving End little time to think things through and not elaborating upon her explanation. As he said, they were people hunting them, and they could discuss what was next after they left this tunnel system." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "It was a fight between the man with purple hair, and the pyro-like magician. In an instant, Starbi went in with a paced run, asense of enlightenment washed over him, as if a weight of.. Something was lifted off of his shoulders the moment he began running down the metro stairs to approach the two. \n\nThe starborn placed his left foot against the edge of one of the steps, pushing himself upwards which lead him to glide closer to the two, he had no idea what was even going for the most part, as his mind was somewhere else after all, all he knew was that Endeven and the acrobatic were gone at this point. It was just these two left from the whole situation, but no matter.\nStarbi then landed closer to the two.\n\n\"Hey, hey!!!\" The Starborn called out for the two, hoping that the two would at least stop to listen to what he had to say. \"While I don't really have,\" The starborn averted his eyes for a few moments, to the remaining bodies in the metro. \"Half of an idea on what's happening, or what's gonna.\" Starbi added, before he looked back to the two. \"But I think that things don't really need to get.. Anymore crazy than they are right now.\" Starbi spoke in a diplomatic tone.\n\"Why don't we all just, try to relax! And maybe go on our separate ways! That's a good idea, right?\" Starbi requested, a breeze of faint cheer flowing through the environment from Starbi's ability \"Joyful Aura\". \nA seed of doubt was placed within the back of his mind, Starbi believed that this course of action was going to help,\n\nWhen it really won't." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "*TSSSKCH\n\nBlood trails from Endeven's nose as he is snapped back to reality in a single moment. The connection between him and the Koi is sharply severed, streams of pale-blue mana coiling about the ethereal creature as he is forced from one surroundings to another. In what little time he spent connected with its Spirit and present in a realm beyond, all the sensations of the material world around him became, for a moment, foreign; gravity was oppressive on his body of flesh and bone and blood, and heavy was the sensation of a mundane world where all things possess mass and volume.\n\nThat noise, electric, was all an outsider would hear following Endeven's connection with the Koi. He was, for a single second, bonded to it, and in the next, not.\n\nThe creature hovers weightlessly through the air...\n\n\|\|(read this second" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "TSSSKCH\n\nTheir link took a premature end. He did not realize this yet, but a certain sensation would instantly signal it to him.\n\n`thump thump`\n\nEndeven blinked once. What?* This was his heartbeat, not the `SOUL`. But that shouldn't be - Afterall he entered the spiritual realm. \n\n`thump thump`\n\nEndeven blinked twice. His mind, thrown back into the physical realm, completely confused. Was I just evicted from the spiritual realm? \n\n`thump thump`\n\nEndeven blinked thrice. ... I will try again- `splat splat splat` Blood was dripping down his nose and three droplets landed between his two black boots - The sound was barely witnessable, but there was such silence, that it would be heard by both Ha with her enhanced senses and Endeven himself. He brushed his thumb across the top of his upper lip, smearing blood over it and peered down at the crimson liquid on his finger. -No. The words he heard, they were strange and felt very much irrelevant to the situation at hand. \n\nThat voice, it was not the Spirit-Koi. It was something else, or rather someone else, who was implied to possess a physical body, yet derived from a transmundane origin. To Endeven's dismay, there were no clues on what to do next, so his next steps would be to investigate this trace of chaos, whilst making preparations to disrupt any 'funny business' that this individual might be planning. \n\nAfter reaching into the long robe, a tissue emerged from within the sorcerers hand and he observed the levitating fish whilst attempting to stop his nosebleed. Did it force me out? Or was it something else? Endeven did not neglect these two possibilities, but his main-theory suspected that it was due to the fact, that he was forcing the spirit-koi's temporal ability upon him. For now, it didn't matter. These words, this land, this memory, he will recall them once the gained information may be put to good use. \n\nAfterall-\n\n-Knowledge is Power." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha played along as best she could with Endeven's feigned robbery, allowing him to disarm her and subsequently 'steal' the Koi from her., lightly nodding at his question. The memory of losing replays in her head often, therefore giving her a uniquely comprehensive way of conveying its occurrence. For what it's worth, if there ever was a situation where she was to be without Salhaeja, she'd be very well royally screwed, and not just from a combat standpoint, which made End's course of action all the wiser. The blade obviously possessed a much greater understanding of how SOUL vows functioned than she did, perhaps millennia worth of knowledge and experience on this exact subject in particular, and as such, even in her enhanced state, she didn't give it too much thought. As long as she was aware of What Was going on, something that wasn't consistent in her regular form, understanding how or why things worked was a situational virtue, one that she didn't care for unless, again, needed. In some ways, despite numerous improvements to her human functionality, she was still the same young woman entranced by this pervasive apathy, largely compacted by amorality. Personally, Sal wished it was not this way.\n\nNaturally, Ha waited for him to have gained full access to the Koi to respond to his inquires, as answering them casually whilst supposedly being mugged seemed detrimental. ``\"I am a hunter. It would be strange to get along with them.\"`` She responded, with a small laugh accompanying his tone that was much less satirical as opposed to being lighthearted, the blade slowing sliding back from the down the hall into her sheath. She didn't really know what being a black SOUL really meant in totality, other than they are the typical core of what she hunts: Temporal Beasts. ``\"Helping out is my job.\"`` There were certainly deeper introspective as to why she and Salhaeja did this, but Endeven was indeed right to not bother with inquiries; that was a well far too deep to lo\n\nOk into for Sal specifically. Though, her words weren't a deflection of this fact, and more-so what she would've said regardless. She personally didn't mind if people knew— actually, the bigger issue was that most wouldn't believe her. Sal had no comment. \n\nHa sneezed, and realized that a considerable amount of dust had accumulated onto her wardrobe. She patted her Nyan cat tee and pajama pants, and adjusted her glasses as well, having noticed they felt positionally crooked against her face, leaning against the nose more than usual. It was miraculous that they hadn't fallen off after that scuffle, frankly. Meanwhile, Salhaeja began to describe the process that Endeven was going through in his attempt to seemingly 'talk' to the fish, having begun to levitate. That Finally Answered the question of why it mattered , and as such, she now had reason to be interested. She could hear droplets, and Sal explained that it was blood dripping from his nose. She figured she'd be no use to him trying to help with something she had minimal understanding of, nor did her blade bother to explain fully, and so, she waited, occupying her mind by listening intently to her surroundings in the event someone was close. Better safe than sorry. DOUBLE Had also faced once more.\n\n``\"I am also here to find something that is threatening like that, but you may know more. We should work side and side.\"`` Ignoring the botched phrasing of 'side by side', Ha had, per instruction, now stated their own intentions for being here in a slightly vague, yet still telling manner. The Slayer saw it fit to be more transparent in light of their confirmed interests aligning. Whether or not he was successful in his attempt, it felt prudent for them to at least consider a genuine alliance. Not that it was the only factor, but Endeven seemed a respectable character." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "Pale-gold flames and pale-gold eyes whose light and perception pierced flesh and bone saw beyond what mundane existence was lain before them, peering into the realm of spirits and unveiling the essence of the SOUL* Flickering ahead of the sorcerer. Hers was a simple specialization in a simple, yet potent Awakened Ability, supplemented by the mastery of fundamental techniques intrinsic to magic-adepts. Sable's technique — teleportation —, though potent as it was, was of an incomplex and pretenseless nature, yet her excellence in the elementary magicks was what made her such a tremendously effective magician.\n\nHers was a simple specialization in an Awakened Ability, and the fluent usage of both `Soulsight` And extrasensory projection.\n\n__`Perceiving with your eyes only,`__ she had already surmised, __`you are incapable of...`__\n\n`TFP`\nThe coin pierces through Sable's cloak as she remained stanced with two fingers in a handsign, mana actively coursing throughout her body in the moment preceding the arrival of the volley. It tears through the cloth and collides with her chest, where it pierces a hole cleanly through — so clean that one can see the the other side of the tunnel through her body — as smoke cascaded from the broken form of her silhouette. Her fist continues in its arc toward Gold, but as it impacts, it disperses harmlessly, naught but a light breeze of the smoke carrying the momentum of the punch breezing against his body.\n_ _\n\nShe had, in a momentary response to the sensation of Gold's hostility, disappeared. The attack she had staged was layered — not only did she rely on her excellent perception of the material world around her as garnered by the projection of her technique, but so too the nature of the spirit realm and the SOUL Before her. \n\n__`...Seeing through this misdirection.`__\n\nTwo flames were lauched toward Gold. One directly ahead of him, and one above him. \nSable's technique, in exchange for its exceptional power, had a clear tell. That much she knew and had mastered to work around — she had apprehended Gold's own adaptation of her technique's simple tell, and in turn, had begun to take measures to adapt herself.\n\nHer purpose in making him turn was to provoke an intense necessity to refocus on her true position — directly i front of him — and to again steal attention from his blindspot: directly behind him. Her purpose in sending the second flame above him was to provide a believable continuation off of her second back-to-back feint — to assault him directly from above — and, again, to steal attention away from his most vulnerable angle: his back.\n\nHe preempted her teleport, but she preempted his preemption; she would not reappear above him.\nRather, she manifested behind him and low to the ground, in an exceptionally low crouch, as though rising from a prone stance, Having teleported herself to a fiery rune engraved into the pebble she had teleported behind Gold.\n\n`It's over.`\n_ _\n\nA potent, pale-gold flame engulfed her left hand as it exploded toward Gold's back, elemental, external mana-reinforcement forming an almost sharpened veil around her fingers, which she would use to attack with a tremendously-empowered two-fingered poke. She struck towards his spine, and with the potent mana engulfing her hand, the attack would be comparable to being stabbed in the vertebrae with a dagger driven by almost supernatural force. In a word: Critical.\n\n*\"Hey, hey!!!\"\n`...?!`\n\n...But critical, it would not be.\nStarbi's call had brought Sable some shock, and His call had served directly to interrupt her critical strike. The potent mana-reinforcement dispersed before it would potentially make contact with Gold's back, and if it did indeed hit, it would hurt little more than a mundane punch, the flames dying quickly on contact with his clothes.\n\n`\"Ffft...\"`\n_ _\n\nShe blew air between her teeth, a scowl on her face as she had unconsciously hesitated to attack Gold fully due to Starbi's call. In a momentary decision to attempt to redeem the situation, she calls what is left of the mana reinforcing her fingers to cast a spell, a subtle burning sensation singing against the spot where she struck, before she would quickly maneuver to retreat some distance back up the stairs.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Ongelofelijk...\" :: •☽\n☾• \"Relaxed?\" :: •☽ — she questioned, a brow raised.\n☾• \"This hunt is not just for entertainment,\" :: •☽ she commented, stanced as-would-be if she successfully retreated her distance.\n☾• \"My objective is clear. But I do not believe diplomacy is beyond us yet.\" :: •☽```\n\nA simple extension — an offer, extended to both Gold and Starbi. She halted hostilities for the time being, her eyes still glittering with the golden hue that defined her mana's presence, as though questioning: \"What is it you want, and what can you offer me?\"" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```ini\n[✦ \"Vain.\" ✦]\n```\n\nHe quietly whispered to himself in a deep and unenthusiastic manner, describing how he currently felt about his attempt to gain another premonition. After finishing to remove the blood from his face, he tucked the tissue away and listened to what Ha had to say before he leaned against a nearby wall and touched his chin, bringing everything that had happened so far to his mind. Staring down the pathway revealed that they were most likely not receiving any company soon. Endeven concluded that if the two participants from earlier were running or propelling themselves with magic to get down here, Ha and Endeven would hear or see them in time and be able to escape. His voice went back to a calm and neutral tone. As if he was about to announce a bad message, he said:\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"..Hm... Keep what I'm about to tell you from others for now. I will tell you all that I know right away.\" ✦]\n```\n\nWithout much hesitation from his side, Endeven shared his findings with Ha, since she had also helped him out, by allowing him temporary possession of the Spirit-Koi, despite having made a vow to keep it. If not for that, they still had aligned goals, so there was little reason to distrust them. Also, while they had their Double* Ready to slice through Endeven's flesh just one or two minutes ago, the fact that they didn't when they could have was proof that they were not enemies.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Earlier, I managed to get close to the Spirit-Koi before you obtained it and as I approached, words reached my mind, like a bad prediction of the future. I presume, something will interrupt the festival and bring chaos to the point where even the king of medei himself will fight to protect his people. His voice was one of the few that I recall from the fish.\" ✦]\n```\n\nThere was still no guarantee that the premonitions, heard during the first Spirit-Koi encounter were real. Everytime Endeven said the words 'Spirit-Koi', 'Koi' or 'Fish', his eyes would flicker over to the Koi, floating around him. What a fun creature.\n\n```ini\n[ ✦ \"What exactly will happen is shrouded in mystery to me. That is why I sought for the Koi's prediction again, but to little success. I entered the spiritual realm and was forcibly removed from it soon after.\" ✦]\n```\n\n Not just due to the situation at hand was Endeven willing to work together with Ha and Salhaeja. He had gotten curious about them, especially about the latter entity. The sorcerer had felt their unusual `SOUL` ever since using his Bend-Technique, which revealed to him that Ha's body contained two presences that he was sealed from touching whilst the techniques usage, directly leading to the discovery of Salhaeja. The details of their connection were unclear to him, so consequently, he wanted to know more, especially due to this aspect in her soul that seemed familiar to Endeven. During his time in Pacifica, Endeven was able to feel a sensation similar to this from a distant entity with a black soul, a `Temporal Beast`. While Endeven's soulsight is close to a beginner's level and thus not noteworthy, his relatively dark `SOUL` allows him to have a keen sense of other chaotic `SOULS` and mana, which assisted him in detecting the black soul within sanctum mesa. \n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Ever since the premonition, I've started making preparations to counteract the possible catastrophy. Other than this powerful presence of a black soul, I have no clue what to look for. We could work side by side though, if you still desire that.\" ✦]\n```\n\nMany words, all of them spoken without any change in his expression. Even before, when Ha commented about being a hunter and laughed, Endeven remained silent almost as if her voice didn't reach him - which was impossible in the silent metro area they were in. The sorcerer wasn't one to use many words or show emotion when they are unnecessary. Despite this, he subtly attempted to signal the previous wording mistake to Ha, `\"Side and side\"`, without directly pointing it out, moreso pretending, that he hadn't even noticed it in the first place. Normally he would point out such a mistake to a stranger like Ha on the spot, however, Endeven was trying his best to act with respect, since he also wanted to form an alliance and feared that correcting her in the request to do so would irritate Ha and Salhaeja." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Then she should have taken a second look. \n\nReacting to the flames though, he steps to the side suddenly and rotates his body, keeping the Palm Gun Trained on its Intended Target. That being undeniably __Not__ Sable's center-mass, as per the feint.\n\nIt was never the plan for her to appear above him. It was Always The plan for her to teleport Behind – Gold admittedly had not even considered the idea of an above teleport. The coin, high in the air, served as a Ricochet Angle - the attack from before aimed at center-mass had also completed its arc and was now serving double duty as an attack vector for which Gold's charged shot- the one which had been a feint itself- also served itself to this purpose. It was all about Coverage In a battle against one who can teleport.\n\n`Dumbass.` He thinks to himself, the bolt of blue, white-hot energy unleashing from the weapon upon his arm as Sable falters, Gold himself dropping to a knee and preparing, not knowing Where The enemy was, only that she was somewhere behind and making an (incorrect) Assumption That he could—\n\n_\"Hey, hey!!!\"_ The words finally reach Gold just mere milliseconds too late, as the shot leaves the center of his palm and barrels towards the coin- but, at the very least, the words had swiftly swayed Gold, causing him Too To hesitate as A Mental Lever Long Enough Manages to tilt the coin just barely to the point where the ball of pulsing energy would fail to find any mark that wasn't a wall or otherwise inanimate object.\n\nThe fallout of this though, results in Gold Taking The punch - letting out a yelp of pain as he stumbles forward, the coin falling out of the sky and clattering to the ground with a Ting– ting-tingtinginininnininggggg...\n\n_ _\nHis hand instinctively goes to his back, feeling up the burning area and, as a result. Placing cloth on it- sucking in air through his teeth, he turns around to face both his opponent and the newcomer, quickly settling on the form of Starbi before his eyes dart back to Sable's own. \"Damn, that was a decent hit-..\" \n\nPicking the coin back up with telekinesis, it floats itself over to standby at Gold's side- near the hand wielding the Palm Gun, remaining ready should another attack suddenly be launched from Sable's end of things, willing to Try Diplomacy.\n\n\"All a' want is th' shard- don' care 'bout the fish. Not yet, anyways..\" Honesty. But, if the event ended without the fish in his hands, that would prove to be rather bad for him.. \"Dunno what it does, but seems t' do Somethin'. 's'all I want...\"" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Internally, the Starborn let out a sigh of relief, a smile growing on his face. His joyful aura remained with its cheerful breeze. Things seemed to have been going okay so far with Starbi's approach of dialogue, the magician didn't seem to mind going for a more diplomatic direction, as well as the man with purple hair,\nFor the time being.\n\n\"Well, that's great!\" His smile glowed bright with joy, as he held his hands on his hips in confident joy, his eyes closed as he lightly hopped in the spot he was in, opening his eyes again.\n\"I'm sure we can all get along and have things settled peacefully! We'll have just some nice words between eachother.\" He spoke, the starborn placed his right hand against his chest. \n\"I will get to my friend Dioscuri.\" He then extended his right hand out to Gold, a sense of joy flowing through Gold's direction. \n\"You will get the shard you want!\" \nHe then turned and extended his left hand to Pyromancer Sable, another sense of joy flowing to her, seemingly from Starbi's extended hand. \n\"And you will get to complete your goal without anybody in the way!\" Starbi concluded with a friendly smile on his face. \n\"It's a win-win-win situation for all of us! So as long as we just keep things calm, we do what's right. You two seem like smart people, so I'm sure things are gonna end okay!\" The starborn naively assured.\n\n \nAll of this was kept behind the bright smile of Starbi, haphazardly thinking things through to think of how to get Sable, or even Gold, away from Endeven and probably Ha. Gold seemed like a friend of Ha, so maybe Starbi needs to just get Sable out of here, but how? It felt like it was practically impossible to help his friend Endeven.\n..! \nStarbi quickly had an idea, albeit the first one he got, it may just work, hopefully, here goes nothing.\n\nStarbi turned to the Pyromancer with a bright smile, his right hand gesturing to the side with his left close to his heart.\n\"I think it'd be a good idea if you give our friend here the shard wants. I'll help you with what you want!\" The starborn offered.\n\"You're looking for the koi fish, right? Well, lucky for you, I know how exactly to help!\" Starbi added.\n\"My friend who left, we had a plan to investigate the metro. Before he left, me and him prepared a plan, in case everything went south.\" Starbi explained.\n\"We decided to have a checkpoint for us to meet up, in case me and him get separated.\n\n\"Knowing him, I don't think he'd abandon the plan so quickly, especially if it's to get out of the metro. If we're fast enough, we might be able to get to the two! Dioscuri doesn't want the koi fish either, so if I talk to him, I'm sure you can get the koi fish easily!\" Starbi offered, holding out his hand to Sable, a smile painted on Starbi's face.\n\nA smile that painted over his pitiful lie." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"HE WILL SUFFICE. RETAIN THE KOI AND MOVE FORWARD.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha would simply nod in response to his explanation, awaiting Sal's command before replying directly to Endeven. She considered that he may've found him to be useless in light of not knowing of anything more than a 'powerful presence', but Sal felt his company prudent anyhow, and would obviously not relay it to anyone else unless they were considered an ally. Suggesting that the king himself would have to put his life on the line certainly caught the blade's undivided attention, including the fact that he recalled his voice within the Koi somehow. She still has no idea what a spiritual realm is, and the term premonition in particular escaped her vocabulary, though he explained that clearly enough. ``\"Yes! I think it would be smart. We should leave soon.\"`` Him correcting her misuse of the phrasing was something she didn't really think about it, and Sal merely saw it as curtesy. \n\n``\"Do you need to keep the fish, or can you return it? The vow is good, so it will not matter.\"`` She added, awaiting Endeven's word on their next course of action. Sal mentioned that they could use his portals to exit the tunnel system without complication, which would be immensely help. In general, their ability was similar to Sables innately, and therefore a sort of counter to it that was all too convenient. The fact of the matter is that while Sal's plan certainly worked out for the best, he did not anticipate this as a possible advantage. Sure, he'd made note of other contestants, but not the full extent of what they were capable of. They were in pretty good shape after that blown sneak attack, all things considered, something that eased the pride that Sal had lost from that interaction. Ha didn't care either way, obviously.\n\n``\"You can use the uhm, magic circles right? You are better now?\"`` Ha recalled that Endeven mentioned was in a vulnerable state earlier, and wanted to make sure that was no longer the case. How they would end up tackling these next few moments was not up to h\n\nEr, whereas Sal wanted to hear what the stranger-turned ally had to say first prior to giving input. He seemed like someone who could come up with a half-decent plan, or at the very least someone prepared to do so. Thinking about their common enemy, Sable, would constitute coordinating something akin to a trap in light of how their powers function. Fighting one on one was too much of a risk, and frankly illogical unless in circumstances that permit otherwise— it wasn't about whether she was stronger then Ha or not, though. As for Gold and Starbi, that was still up in the air. Last he checked, Gold had good reason to help them, but who knows what's really happening up there? Sal hadn't seen a lick of Starbi could do, either. Variables, which is what he was asking for throwing himself into the fire. Having them is better than having none, because at least one can work with something as opposed to nothing.\n\nIn the meantime, Ha readied her blade whilst standing in place. She knew that the previous circumstances were unideal, and that that was partially her fault, even if Sal didn't pile on her too much for it. Some of their enemies were viably stronger than she was, and that would be a problem going down the line if she was struggling against people who weren't even the priority threat. She had to be better, even if their current objective was not exactly related to what they had come here for." }, { "author": "Blossom d'Ecritoire", "message": "After running for what seemed like an eternity for Blossom, they finally arrived at the scene. Well, they looked like they're about to pass out. As it turns out, Blossom isn't very sportsy, so running for ten minutes straight wasn't very ideal for them. They were huffing and puffing, trying to take in enough oxygen to fuel their extremely overworked muscles. Well their muscles are probably made out of playdough, but still. Running trough the massive crowds had been anything but fun, to be honest. Seriously why do people have to scream so much during events like this. You could also just, talk normally. If everyone did that then nobody would have to scream! Then again, Blossom knew that some people just only think about themselves, which is one of the things they despise most. As they look around the area, they notice a distinct lack of Endeven. They wondered where he could have gone, but the best course of action would probably be to ask around. However they'd probably observe first, since something might have happened. After all, Endeven was talking about something which could cause harm to many people." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Leaning against a wall, Endeven was lost in thought. Despite hearing everything Ha said, it took him a little to respond:\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Ah- Sorry- Yes, I've recovered. I don't need the Spirit-Koi any further... But let me keep the fish a little longer. I have a plan.\" ✦]\n```\nEndeven hadn't experienced too much of their foes capabilities but made note of a few things: Sables ability to use flames and teleport, aswell as Golds telekinesis, which let him lift the mass Bend had placed. He also acknowledged the weird aura of his Palm Gun, a weapon he wanted to avoid experiencing in action. When it was charging up, Endeven and Ha disappeared through the wormhole, which lead to it's power being unseen.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"To explain the situation: the kid that stood next to me is called Starbi. He's a pacifist, unwilling to get into fights. That teleporting mage was after the Koi and said she wouldn't let you escape. We should eliminate her before anything else if she will continuously get in our way. As for the guy with that weird glove-weapon. He was trying to help you, which confuses me.\" ✦]\n```\n\nSummarizing the other participants lead to Endeven determining that their only enemy was Sable. Gold was chasing after Ha and Sable too, however wasn't trying to stop Ha, which meant he was not after the Koi. Logically the only thing left that he could be after was Sable.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"My plan... If we take the glove guy out of the equation for now.. I could simulate your defeat, since I possess the koi. When i move up to the metro entrance on my own, the mage has to get close to me in order to take the Spirit-Koi, so that's where I open another...\" ✦]\n```\n\nFor a moment he paused, thinking about the word Ha had used to describe his Quasar Locus-Technique. To him it was unpleasant to hear her way of describing it.\n\n```ini\n'Magic Circle' - No. [✦ \"..Wormhole.\" ✦] It's not... A 'Magic Circle'.\n```\n\nEndeven's left eye twitched . His Wormholes, Portals or even Rifts were so much more than just Magic circles. It's not just simple teleportation, it's the overall ability to move objects that he transcended into the ability of moving the world itself and fusing two locations into one. A technique fundamentally different from your average teleportation magic. Magic circles.. Endeven managed to hold himself back from calling out the describing the difference between 'magic circles' and Quasar Locus: Bind, since it would take an amount of time they did not have at avail.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"..For you to directly strike her in the back. Of course I can add a few more factors to give us better chances of succeeding. I'm sure we have the advantage here. You wouldn't mind slaying someone in such a sly fashion though, would you? I've encountered a few swordsmen who would refuse to do such due to their pride, honor or whatever. \" ✦]\n```\n\nSuch a sense of honor in battle - Endeven didn't have it in him, unless he knew the opponent did. In that case he would reciprocate the given respect, though it wouldn't stop him from running away, if necessary. Incase Ha or Salhaeja refused to follow a strategy like this, he was ready to suggest another. The thought of forcing Sable outside the festival to disqualify her entered his mind, but Endeven did not know where the borders of the festival were located and opening a wormhole to a known location outside wasn't an option, since that would take several minutes due to the sheer distance. He doesn't know the streets of Pacifica outside of Caeli Noctis much, mostly because he avoids streets because of his main enemy - Vehicles.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"I understand that you may not fully trust me to keep the koi, but if it helps, I can borrow you-\" ✦]\n```\n\nThe sorcerer reached to his waist, his left, taking out a purple wand with unusual and spiky ends - Bo Kanpakua. His hand extended towards Ha, as if he was offering it to her. Though Endeven referred to it as a weapon, one unknowing of its ability would wonder how it was considered one.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"-a family heirloom of sorts to hold onto. It is my weapon, but it isn't a requirement for me to succeed in battle. We can exchange it and the koi back after deterring the threat of that mage.\" ✦]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Endeven explained a large part of what Salhaeja and subsequently Ha already knew when referencing the context of the situation, but not everything. Sal already suspected that Gold specifically wanted an Item From Sable, one that he needed for his own affairs. Granted, he now knew who this 'Starbi' person was and their full intentions, including their pacifism that would be difficult to quantify into actual leverage. End's thoroughness was nonetheless appreciated, and his plan, albeit much easier said then done, made sense. Their first attempt at deception didn't go well, but now that they knew who they were dealing with, that increased the odds of success by a good margin, especially when adding this particular ally to the equation. Using himself as bait took some stones and represented the faith he was willing to put into Ha in regards to his well-being, even if he could theoretically escape. Also, the swordswoman did not notice how her referring to his wormholes as 'magic portals' bothered him. She wasn't too great at picking up social cues.\n\n. . .Honor? No. That isn't something she has or needs, not anymore. When Endeven made this inquiry, Ha paused for a moment. Not out of analysis of the suggestion, but simply loss for a reply. She hadn't thought about 'honor' in. . . What felt like forever. Before she could dwell on it extensively and threaten to burrow deeper into those memories reserved for her nightmares, Salhaeja interjected, and said that stealth was the efficient option, nothing more or less than that. He kept away her from getting into that mindset, as per usual. People live and die all the same, and their honor is buried alongside them to be Forgotten. That's the extent of that conversation. ``\". . .No. It is not.\"`` Her tone was unemphatic and almost dismissive of the topic itself, detached from the qualms of the subject. Sal approved this approach, although feeling a little silly that this was the amount of trouble required to safeguard the Koi.\n\nAt least he knew it had objective value now, making this entanglement slightly justifiable, but for all he knew, whatever larger threat loomed, they'd eventually need all the help they could get. He had to remind himself and Ha that this was a game, not life or death.\n\nA family 'heirloom'? Endeven wanted to exchange trusts via material assurance, but Ha didn't feel strongly about it, nor did Sal. They gave him a fish, of which had no real benefit or currency to them other then sentimentality— though one could say the same for End's item. Still, Sal said it would be a little rude not to take it, and so she extended her hand out to take up his offer. ``\"Are you sure you can go without it?`` She would add this, thinking purely about his potential effectiveness in battle as opposed to its emotional value. ``\"—And the plan, I believe it is good. When we find the place, I can add more.\"`` Again, the fundamental idea was sound, and those extra 'factors' could come from both sides." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Despite Bo Kanpakua being a tool inherited by his father, in value it was nothing more than a tool. He trusted Ha to keep it well, since he possessed the Koi that they were planning to return to Kuouo Aiche Dee. The staff was attuned to Endeven's mana, meaning that its ability was locked from others, giving the staff itself little value on the market and while it had personal value to some extent, the sorcerer felt that it was safe in her hands. What was merely a temporary shift of possession would assure Ha and Salhaeja that he wasn't going to simply take the Spirit-Koi and run at the first chance, since he could simply lock them in the depths of the metro if they went along with his plan. The staff was placed in her hand. Endeven momentarily passed Bo Kanpakua to Ha. Upon hearing Ha's question a slight smile appeared on Endeven's face as he revealed another reason and explanation on why he felt comfortable, waiving Bo Kanpakua during the upcoming battle:\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"I will not risk having my staff reduced to ashes, so it would not find any use in this encounter, even if it was on my person. Besides, this does not make a dent in my overall power at all. I hold great value in it nonetheless, so just consider it a pledge for the Spirit-Koi.\" ✦]\n```\n\nThe staff served as a ranged option against enemies that required higher concentrations of monochromate to beat, which would damage Endeven himself if used in close range. Since Endeven was not going to use such power against participants of the hunt, Bo Kanpakua was not of much use here anyways. Without a doubt in his mind, he considered the trade of Bo Kanpakua for certain collaboration between Endeven, Ha and the blade spirit as a decent trade. They had already spent an adequate amount of time on assembling their course of action and building trust, but Endeven wanted to finish this process off with one more short act before putting their plan into action: Introductions. Afterall they would most likely be working together for a majority of the festival's left duration.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"While we're at it, For good cooperation, names would be great to familiarize. I am Endeven Dioscuri, scholar and sorcerer of the Evening Star's academy, Astra Cantum-\" ✦]\n```\n\nIf Starbi knew that Dioscuri had revealed his full name to Ha, he would most certainly feel atleast a little displeased, since he only received allowance to refer to Dioscuri by surname. Endeven did not see him as a friend and had little interest in a child unable or unwilling to use magic at the face of battle. Even though he didn't see Ha or Salhaeja as friends, Endeven allowed them to use his first name as this would furthermore build trust. As of this moment they were allies. Endeven gazed and gestured towards Ha, indicating that it was now her turn to introduce herself. His hand, that he used to point at the swordswoman would soon shift to her blade, giving Salhaeja too a sign for introduction. Even though his name was less necessary than Ha's, Endeven did this mostly as an attempt to gather more knowledge about Salhaeja.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"-And the two of you?\" ✦]\n```" }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "The robed sorcerer folded her arms as she now stood, fully upright, some distance up the stairs and staring at a distance down toward the two. Her eyes glow a light-gold, backlit by that subtle, elemental, characteristic pale-aureate flame that defined Sable's very SOUL* And mana-hue. She listened carefully and patiently, and with both traits in likeness watched — scrutinized — both of the characters before her made visible in both flesh and spirit, pulling what information could be probed from a basic examination of the Spirit beyond one's Vessel and the fluctuations therewithin. \n\nThe requests proffered by the deal; the latent desires possessed underneath. The willingness to achieve a mutual understanding; the eagerness to reduce oneself to a conciliatory state. The told wish to avoid conflict; the untold ulterior underlying it. The knowledge of what desires lied behind their requests and a whole understanding of the intents behind those same desires — that was what Sable was searching for, beyond merely dissecting the structure and plausibility of the deal itself. For to hold the knowledge of what another desires and for what reason they possess that desire is to hold the keys to diplomacy itself.\n\nConstituted of the same flame that burned within her Spirit — that which granted aspect to her mana, her reinforcement, and her technique — Sable brought forth two more candle-lights that manifest from thin air at either of her sides, her arms unfolding as she began to step forward. Her head tilts as her eyes hone, herself seeming to have come to a conclusion that yet remained untold and unconveyed, but was decisively reached and definitively displayed by her shift in demeanor. Yet still, that shift in demeanor did not seem to be innately hostile, the black-clad gold-shrouded sorcerer remaining, for the moment, docile.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"I believe you are attempting to deceive me,\" :: she immediately cut at the heart of Starbi's offer. •☽\n☾• \"The magician is your friend, but the swordswoman is not. She has not given up on her desire to hold the Koi; she would not give up on it so easily now.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"Unless you intend to say that the magician is eager to betray her after so readily giving her a means of escape?\" :: Her eyes burned subtly brighter with the light-gold as she peered at Starbi. •☽\nSoulsight was truly something immensely powerful in diplomacy — a wars fought by words — especially in the hands of one so intimately familiar with reading the intents of others to begin with.\n☾• \"I do not blame you entirely. But I would like to know for what purpose you are attempting to do so.\" :: •☽```\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"As for you,\" :: she adjusted her gaze toward Gold, holding out her left index finger. Her brow raised. •☽\n☾• \"...Many things could be said of you. But I will only say that I believe the one most suited to hold this shard is 𝘮𝘦, until its purpose is revealed.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"...𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘥𝘦 𝘬𝘸𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘫𝘥𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘥...\" :: —she muttered. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬, she thought. •☽\n☾• \"You wish for this fragment of light, but you do not want the Koi. The searches for each are one-and-the-same, I believe.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"If you merely dig up what lies in the periphery of a greater mystery, you will be left with nothing but disjointed facts and a broken theory.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"For that lack of distinction, you are unfitting of the shard.\" :: •☽\n\n☾• \"I will give you another offer. We will cease hostilities. I did not join with the intent of fighting others.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"This Hunt is not something hosted for simple achievement and reward. It has a purpose.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"I wish to dig to the heart of that purpose. I do not want the reward; I merely want to decipher the secrets the Koi — and the shards accompanying it —are laden with.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"If you assist me well and are worthy of it, I would give you the reward. Once I have found the purpose of the Koi after the Festival, it too may be yours — as well as whatever becomes of the shards.\" :: •☽\n```\n\n_ _\nShe stated all these thing, rather confident in the conclusion she had achieved. However, immediately following her series of statements, she immediately flinched, turning round over her shoulder: another individual had just stepped into the metro: Blossom.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Nog een indringer...?!\" :: she sneered lightly. •☽\n☾• \"Identify yourself.\" :: she stared over her shoulder at Blossom, who would likely be positioned at the top of the stairwell. •☽```" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"I know what it does, an' you Don't.\" He replies - as Sable's flames dance near her shoulder, Gold's coin, too, floats near his left, prepared for if she should make a move, but unwilling to strike first himself.\n\n\"Ya' didn' join with th' idea of fightin', in an event 'bout fightin', an' yet ya' first introduction t' me is fightin'.\" Gold retells. \"I don't buy it.\" He asserts, gold eyes meeting that of Sable's own, holding firm in his belief \"Don't want th' fish- not Yet. Y' ain't givin' me any Insurance That ya' not gonna betray, 'r backstab me Or Our...\" \n\nHe pauses for a moment, thinking of an accurate descriptor for Starbi, \".... Third party, 'ere.\" Notably, Gold also does not call Starbi \"Friend\".\n\n\"Y' can Have Th' fish. Y' gimme th' Shard An' the swordswoman's all yours, 'm not gonna interfere. I'll gladly go my own way, do ma' own thing. If our paths happen ta' meet up-\"\n\n`Hopefully not.` He thinks, seeing how... Unpleasant this whole three way conversation feels to him.\n\n\"- then I'll see if I've learned anythin'.\"\n\n\"'til then, though...\" The coin at Gold's shoulder gleams, attempting to catch some of the light upon its reflective surface – again, not an attack, but a reminder that there was indeed a standoff amidst the verbal dissent Gold was in the process of spewing. \"All I Want, is th' Shard.\"\n\nAnother coin rises from Gold's bag, it taking a bit of exertion to juggle the two, but nothing he couldn't handle. The other coin rests open Gold's Other Shoulder, mimicking Sable's own fire in a way, as if he had taken notes upon how to conduct himself. When she steps forward, Gold does not step back, nor does he move at all.\n\nBut, he does tilt his head at the sounds of another person making their approach - tilting head to look back at the staircase leading down towards the metro he found himself in\n\n`Oh great, another one.` As if this metro wasn't crawling with Koi hunters already.." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha gave her signature nod at his in-depth explanation, content with the confirmation that he would in fact not suffer without the item as she accepted the Bo Kanpkua. She was not too interested in its nature or purpose beyond that, although Salhaeja provided her a brief description of it no less. A 'pledge' for the Spirit-Koi, he says— making Another Vow would likely complicate matters, so this would have to do. It was then that Endeven had asked for their names, of which she realized she hadn't properly introduced herself. The swordswoman frowned to herself, because as she was able to recall, she did the exact same when she first met Daniel, despite being in a lesser state at the time. It was small, but it was something that wasn't supposed to happen when she transformed, and that disappointed her slightly. Sal would not comment on that, for he was more concerned with the fact that End now knew about his presence, and that he had no excuse not to give him a name. It was innately harmless, yes, but it was uncomfortable territory for the blade, especially when accounting for the universal translation of his title. Trust in these circumstances, however, would be valuable in light of dealing with a pestering, perceivably strong enemy that threatened to delay their affairs of utmost importance. Curiosity Does Kill, though. . .\n\n``\"Oh, I am sorry. My name is Ha. Ha Sunyoung, a hunter for the Hunting Group here, from the Japan.\"`` Ha decided to include her last name, of which few people knew. It didn't matter because she was essentially only registered in the O.S.A. Database, and she wanted to dispel the notions that she was anything like herself in that lesser state, hence the inclination to be more precise on her address, occupation and place of origin. Notably, she decided to use 'the Japan' instead of 'Korea', because that is where she was when returned to life. She figured that Endeven would understand that 'Hunting Group' was in reference to the Order, if not\n\nAlready aware of the fact. Sal would then provide instruction to her, having decided on a response, and she would oblige verbally. He actually didn't seem to mind her reply that had bordered on oversharing, almost as if understanding that she wanted to do better than before, or rather the fact that it was not nearly as invasive as it could've been. Claiming she was from Japan did silently disturb him even if it was ethnically true, granted, for reasons better left unstated.\n\n``\". . .My friend calls heself Sal. He is from here, actually.\"`` Ha held up the blade as to allow him to inspect him further, albeit there was nothing much to the composition of the sword. It was slightly thinner than a normal Katana, with a few unreadable Korean letters on its handle. In any case, that was about as good as Endeven was gonna get from her in terms of information about the two of them. There were no lies told in this statement, though; Sal is short for Salhaeja, and, he is from 'here', although from a very, very distant time and different rendition of these lands. Still, nothing about why he is a sword that Talks Under telepathic means for some reason, or the fact that he could clone himself, amongst many other questions about his nature. All of that would have to be earned at a later date, and either way, there wasn't enough time to open that can of worms. Also, he-self is not correct.\n\nWith that, Ha and Sal were ready to execute a plan in tandem with their newly found ally. She lowered the blade and navigated across her face until she could feel her sunglasses, adjusting them properly onto her nose. It was likely she'd need new ones after this entanglement." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```ini\n[✦ \"I see, Ha and Sal. I will start with the said factors from earlier: Please hold out your blade.\" ✦]\n```\n\nHe had started approaching Ha, whilst holding his hand out towards the said blade. The glow around Endeven's body, Protochrome energy, gathered in his left hand. Then Elechrome energy appeared in his right, making a noisy zap sound like electricity. \n\nEvergloom. `Zzzttt.`\n\nThe tunnel they were in was now even darker than pitchblack. Endeven's glowing left hand was the only thing that allowed for him to recognize Ha, yet most of the light was being swallowed by the Elechrome Energy that had formed in his other hand. It crackled in his palm, attempting to pull it to his left hand, which he was keeping far away from the Elechrome in his right. It was pure, purer than any of the ones he had cast before on the festival's day. As he moved towards Ha, his right hand formed a trail of space momentarily incapable of inhabiting light. A large amount of mana had been used on this technique, all springing from his mana pool. The use of such a technique made one thing clear: He did not want to waste much time on Sable, afterall there was a task far more urgent on his agenda. \n\n```ini\n[✦ \"I bestow you with the product of my awakened ability, Elechrome Energy. As long as you're in a dark environment it will remain on the blade, but be careful as it does migrate to other mediums that come into contact with. If you let it shift onto Sable..\" ✦]\n```\n\nThe awakened would place his right hand on the blade binding the Elechrome Energy to it. As he did so the sword would gain that trail of darkness aswell as a slight pull towards the sorcerer's left hand, which he was purposefully distancing from the slayer. The amount of energy used here put a severe injury on that same hand before during his training long ago. It has left a scar, as Endeven refused to have it healed, however that scar was now covered by bandages. Despite the effectiveness, a reaction ultimately wasn't what Endeven was going for in this situation. His Bend-Technique using a black charge of this intensity would be capable of keeping Sable in spot with enough force and time to let Ha assault her with a barrage of attacks, capable of seamlessly ending it right there and then. With this plan in mind, a grin arose on Endeven's face. \n\n```ini\n[✦ \"-We have a win-condition.\" ✦]\n```\n\nHe stood there now, forming the handsign used for his wormhole technique. Though he was also curious to see if Ha had any similar factors to add onto their plan before manifesting his technique." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi had hoped that Sable would consider his words of his painted lie. He thought that it was the best way to try and buy Endeven some time to escape, Sable didn't seem like one to be decieved easily, so it was as if he needed a miracle to...\n\n```☾• \"I believe you are attempting to deceive me,\"``` \n\nAnd that miracle didn't happen, it was rather obvious that Sable wouldn't be fooled by some sort of lame lie, it was kind of pathetic really, hm. She wasn't fooled by his smile hiding that well-intent lie of his. Despite being called out for his lie, Starbi kept his smile in all of it, albeit a little bit nervous for what consequences may hold for Starbi in this situation, he wondered that it may not be so bad, seeing as she somehow understood what his intentions were.\n\nIt was then that Gold began speaking, Starbi didn't seem to manage to pick up on Gold referring to him as a \"Third-party\". And now Sable and Gold were talking about some sort of shard, Starbi had no idea what the shard was or what it could do, but it wasn't what a goal of his, he really just wanted to enjoy the fun of the festival and the hunt without anyone getting hurt, and if he were to find the koi fish, he would gladly give it to someone he might not even know whatsoever, just for the chance to make someone smile.\n\nHe then just listened to the two converse, before someone made an appearance. Someone absolutely new entering the situation from their footsteps, could thus be Endeven's friend mentioned before the three new hunters. Even so, whoever it was, its not like Starbi could protect himself, the other two seemed to be able to with ease, he was practically useless, it was laughable really." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\"I see, yes.\"`` Ha promptly agreed to his instruction, absent-mindedly waiting as Endeven performed what she was told were enhancements onto the makings of her blade, per the words of The Slayer. She, again, did not fully understand what he'd done, and was unconcerned with the apparent details nor the sensation of mana she felt as opposed to the larger agenda, notwithstanding the fact that Salhaeja would inform of her anything she truly needed to be aware of. As such, she had no adverse reaction to the strange sounds of casted magic, nor feeling the man's contact with her sword— she did keep her guard up so to speak, but that was more-so out of instinct then innate mistrust. There was no reason to suggest that he had ill intentions, and if he did, they certainly wouldn't reveal themselves at this time lest he compromise his own objectives. That'd be a bridge crossed at a later date.\n\nSalhaeja was more keen on the mentioning awakened ability' and 'Elechrome Energy', the former being a term he'd heard before eluding to a specific context. As a spirit entrapped within a metallic sword, he was not capable of 'feeling' tangible forces in the traditional sense, but the pressure of binded darkness was something else entirely. End did not fully explain in-depth what he actually meant, but The Slayer knew had a basic idea of what he was suggesting. He also made note of the bandages on Endeven's hand, as if to suggest perhaps this or another casting of his had injured it prior. To possess such magical strength to an extent that could harm the corporal body, it must've been something formidable. More evidence of competence, if nothing else. The sudden grin of the stranger at his own plan inspired further analysis. \n\nSal would make a suggestion to Ha, and she would verbalize it. ``\". . .I know what I can do when the time come, but— what of Two Sword? It can help.\"`` Generally speaking, it would be wiser to unveil her abilities and ask how they would apply\n\nTo his instead of making outright assumptions of what was and wasn't feasible. This was in fairly obvious reference to DOUBLE, of which the stranger had been witness to already. One of the crucial aspects of this temporary partnership was, as far as Sal could tell, complimenting skillsets. The swordswoman was adept at direct, unrelenting onslaughts that relied on suddenness and the element of the surprise, whereas Endeven possessed means of methodical casting and strategically utilized mana, not to mention more counters to other magic then Ha could dream of. Combining the best of both worlds seemed ideal." }, { "author": "Blossom d'Ecritoire", "message": "Blossom was rather shocked by the current situation, including the extremely obvious lack of their purple haired friend. They were slightly concerned but as of now were more or less just on edge. After all its rather rude to judge people before getting to know what they are like, isn't it? After Blossom was asked to identify themselves by one of the strangers, they tought for a breef moment. Blossom is technically a public figure, though not very well known, so an introduction should do no harm.\n\n```\n\"My name is Blossom D'Ecritoire.\"\n```\n\nShort and to the point, probably preffered in a situation like the current one. After all, the people involved seemed rather hostile with one another, that was just the general vibe that seemed to stem from the area. Maybe Blossom could well, ask the people present if they had seen Endeven? After all, it'd be easier to find him with directions. So after collecting their thoughts for a moment.\n\n```\n\"Say... Have any of you seen a purple haired man? I'm searching for him at the moment.\"\n```\n\nIt was very convient that purple hair is such an easy descriptor for Endeven. Its easily recognisable since well, most people dont have purple hair. Its not impossible though, in the magical yet technological age they live in. Blossom decides to simply... Wait for a response for now. Finding Endeven is their current goal, which they hoped to accomplish as soon as possible." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi watched as there was someone who appeared. Starbi looked at their appearance, Starbi felt a sensation of friendship and trust from them as if they were someone people could rely on. Noticing that they were painted with warm and friendly pink, pink clothes, and pink hair,\n`they probably have pronouns too.`\nStarbi's faint guard was let down, he felt that he could trust this new person, but could that be said for Gold and Sable?\n\nThe person, by the name of Blossom D'Ecritoire, began to speak, seemingly looking for someone, then;\n\n```\"Say... Have any of you seen a purple haired man? I'm searching for him at the moment.\"```\n\nIt was then that Starbi was struck with realisation, that this was Endeven's friend! Starbi's eyes lit up with glee, as he jumped with his hand raised as if he were a student in class, eager to answer a question.\n\n\"I do!! I do!!\" Starbi spoke with excitement in his tone, Joyful Aura looming over the area, those around it feeling a sudden and intense feeling of joy. Not only was he excited to help, but also to get to know Blossom, he wanted to get to meet other friends of his friends, like he said to Endeven before Ha had crashed into him.\n\n\"I'm Starbi!! Dioscuri's a friend of mine!! I was with him for a bit but we got split up and he left with someone a few minutes ago! He might still be around!!\" Starbi exclaimed with eagerness, it was as if everything that happened was instantly forgotten when Blossom brought up Endeven, Joyful Aura still present to give those around Starbi an intense feeling of joy." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "Sable held her peace following her statement as the pieces of a greater picture began to assemble upon the canvas of the metro. Starbi's silence was self-revealing, Gold's interests had been made clear, and the stranger had revealed both their identity as Blossom d'Ecritoire and their association with the purple-haired mage; each element came to her with their own degree of importance, divided clearly and digested slowly in the wake of the her silence. The black-robed magician's eyes lowered into a squint, the subtle fire of the golden mana behind her irises rousing, kindling incandescent as, like two lit torches, they swept intently over those standing upon the precipice of the metro-proper. Likewise did the twin aurous flames at her sides intensify, as if sharing in the scrutiny of her careful examination of those that surrounded her. The hollow-gold flames peered deep — as deep as did Sable's eyes — for the two pairs of two could very well be thought of as one set of four.\n\nThere was an increasing number of unpredictable factors entering play, and an emerging sense of discord that rang unpleasant in Sable's mind. Her brow furrowed.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"I understand.\" :: •☽```\n\nHer eyes briefly close, and she outstretches both hands to either of her sides, as though in a shrug. She took a deep breath.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"I... Do not believe we can find a common agreement.\" :: •☽```\n\nThe magician's eyes open again, her brow now lightly raised, as her hands come again together—\n\n\n\n`CLAP.`\n\n\n\n_ _\n\nSix flames.\nSix flames now hovered in a concentric ring about the magician herself, that hollow-golden mana flaring lightly off and around the surface of her opposing palms. But the life of the flames engulfing her hands quickly fades, as does the mana within her irises, smoke beginning to cascade subtly off the coattails of her robes. Her shape grew immediately ambiguous in the moment her hands came together. And yet the six flames themselves do not die out, yet rather waver, before flaring sharply in intensity. Spontaneously, each of the individual flames are granted momentum: two are launched toward the entry of the metro, flanking Blossom on either side, and the rest of the four are launched oppositely: two past Gold and one that travelled until it hovered directly infront of him, the last and sixth of the total group launched up and over their heads, travelling some distance down the tunnel.\n\n\n`First, the newcomer. Their presence is an uncertainty and the ambiguity of their participance leaves them also a liability.`\n\n__`Flutter.`__\n\nThe flame curves about Blossom, and travelling almost as fast as an arrow, immediately stops behind them, before its flame wavers, snuffed into nothingness as Sable then emerges, outstretching her hand toward Blossom's back.\n\n`I will begin by displacing you first. Then I will——`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "VWOOM\nA moment before Sable's hand could make contact with Blossom's body, a sharp magical presence creates a divide between her and them, before, in the wake of that presence, forms a magical circle: a hovering, branching, geometric, yet completely two-dimensional construct of mana in the form of a circle, serving as an impenetrable barrier. It glowed alight with a subtle, silverish-white radiance.\n\nIt appeared almost autonomously, its caster unseen and their purpose unknown.\nAnd yet, almost intrinsic within its existence would perhaps come an inference:\nBlossom, at this point in time, had not joined the Koi Hunt. And Sable had performed an action that would breach upon \"Entering combat\" With an outsider of the Hunt.\nThe rules of the Hunt, though understated as they were, were made nearly impossible to break by the overarching presence of the O.S.A throughout Sanctum Mesa." }, { "author": "- \"Sable\" -", "message": "`—?!`\n\nHer palm is met with the stark resistance of a cold barrier of a mana whose originator she had not sensed even in the wake of her active use of `Soulsight.`* Her palm rebounds instinctively off its surface, the magic circle in turn vanishing as quickly as it manifested.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Verdomme...\" :: •☽ —she muttered under her breath.```" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "I dunno who specifically to ping" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "The smile caused by his confidence quickly faded again, his expression reverting to a neutral one. His hands, previously stiffened to cast a spell, were now unrestrained as Ha suggested the use of an ability that was her own. Endeven crossed his arms, and remained silent as Ha spoke. The gradual deterioration of her vocabulary and grammatical prowess had brought a slight breeze of dissatisfaction to Endeven's view of the swordswoman. At first, the sorcerer took note of Sal's well versed tongue, but same could not be said about Ha's. Since he himself had migrated to Pacifica from Japan years ago, he was aware of the difficulties in transitioning to the english language, but his empathy did little to change the feeling of dissatisfaction. Nonetheless he wouldn't allow his thoughts to come to light, as it may seem ignorant of her circumstances. The term 'Two Sword' upset Endeven the most, despite it being an ability of Ha herself.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Two Sword?\" ✦]She is really bad at naming things.[✦ \"Ah, Yes, I understand.\" ✦]\n```\nIndeed a weapon like that would deem useful despite Endeven's lack of mastery in wielding blades. Such weapons were originally developed with clear intent to end other lives and evolved to end them even more efficiently, which is the cause of his refusal to carry lethal weapons on him. Bo Combat and his Bare Fists are easy to control, while for his magic, he went as far as to create a limiter on the destructive capabilities that his awakened ability holds, which can only be bypassed through the use of incantations. Yet festival staff were on site to treat injuries, so Endeven's worries about that aspect could be overlooked. Perchance her Two Sword, a replica of The Slayer, could even add credibility to Ha's fake defeat, which was necessary for their planned feint attack. Since the Two Sword would most likely be recognized as its original, Endeven could imply that he took it from Ha.\n \n ```ini\n[✦ \"While I am no swordsman, I believe it could be of help to me. I will take it if you allow me to.\" ✦] \n```\n\nFirmness returned to his fingers as he started to cast his bind spell now, since he would be incapable of doing so while holding the sword given by Ha. He took a more steady stance after turning around to face the wall, where the first chosen end of his ability was aimed at. Sparks of Elechrome Energy appeared in that spot.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Ready..?\" ✦]\n```\nHe was awaiting confirmation from Ha, even though his technique had already begun reconstructing space, like displayed earlier when they escaped from Sable's pursuit. This time the rifts destination was set three meters above grounds of the street outside the metro projects entrance, where few sparks would start appearing at this point in time. It should be finished very soon..." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "`Bunch'a colorful characters round here...` \n\nHe thinks to himself, shaking his head but- remaining alert nonetheless. The coins upon his sides dance and spin, as if he were judging what maneuver might be best should the encounter once again dip into unpleasant waters. `They definitely have pronouns.`\n\nThat... Odd feeling in his stomach- whenever the person wearing yellow spoke- it made him uneasy, as though he was ever-so-slightly aware of the effect he was being placed under with each flourish and rise of the magic on display. `Hate it...`\n\nFor one on such a tight leash, more people directly trying to handle the emotions or mental state of him was not a welcome addition.\n\n\"Doesn't seem like it, no.\" \n\nClap\n\nGold pivots and exposes his center body directly to the space Between The two flames, as a coin upon his side darts sideways – to the Right From his perspective – and towards the flame that was directly in front of him just moments before; an attempt to scout what would happen if the flames were directly hit with something, the other one clattering to the ground as Gold frees some of his exertion in exchange for the raw speed at which he could manipulate a single coin.\n\nThe piece of change, upon its attempt to brave the fire and flame, is left floating upon the other side of it, as Gold's Left Hand – the one wielding the Palm Gun – raises, \n\nTcchhhhhhheeew-\n\nIt primes, ready for to shoot should his opponent suddenly use it as a teleport anchor, but-\n\nVWOOM\n\n`Well, -`\n\nPffEEW-\n\n`- ain't that somethin'-`\n\nThe Palm Gun Activates, shooting towards the flame in attempt to check what exactly could disperse the mana the opponent was using to apply pressure. It might be best, if Gold could somehow position himself properly, to use the pink pronoun user as a sort of meat-shield..." }, { "author": "timiette", "message": "Im your strongest soldier" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Endeven was not the only one displeased by Ha's lack of mastery of the English language— Salhaeja had gone to Considerable Efforts to bring her up to par over the course of several years, and yet she still was, at Best, only half-decent with glaring issues nonetheless prevalent. How many books did he need to read her? Her inability to properly cite a fundamental spell that she named was outright shameful, but that'd have to be dealt with later. The drawback of being able to speak more clearly within an enhanced state was that all the mistakes normally hidden underneath slurred words and misplaced vowels were easily noticeable, and being crippled was no longer a valid excuse. She had to be better, but at least she knew it.\n\nAs for his suggestion pertaining to DOUBLE, it would actually better serve to be done on the fly as opposed to a planned assault, for two reasons. In light of this, Ha spoke on his behalf in order to clarify the intention, sort of shaking her unoccupied hand back and forth as to 'wave off' his preparing spell, a modern mannerism she managed to pick up on. ``\"You can talk to him— Sal, yes? When it is time, you can ask him what to do with. . . Double, and he will do what you need for you. You can use it with hand, too.\"`` She was able to correct at least one of her mistakes, but more importantly, the swordswoman insinuated that Endeven could use SOUL communication as to instruct Sal on whatever he envisioned using the secondary blade if need be, or to use the blade himself. Leveraging chaos was more befitting of Ha's particular skillset, and it had proven to be successful prior, henceforth the thought process of the blade, albeit this was not infallible, nor was he unwelcome to a different perspective. From what he understood, though, it was likely that Sable wasn't alone, and accounting for such factors would be futile. Speaking directly with the man was not an issue for Salhaeja under the rationale that it was beneficial.\n\n_ _\nSal was putting a substantial amount of faith into Endeven's individual strategic ability, showing a complete willingness to follow his lead and compliment the man's own spells, which didn't sound like him, lest there be a conditio. Again, it did contribute to the most basic practicality of the fact that his magic was directly comparable and therefore counter-active towards Sable, the titular antagonist— but there was an ulterior agenda here, though not a particularly sinister one. Salhaeja was interested in deducing the sheer competence that End possessed, and was using this instance as a sort. . . Measuring stick, although that wasn't to suggest they wouldn't help him if needed during battle. Considering their aligned goals and set agreement, they were likely going to be allies for the remaining duration of the festival, thus giving incentive for The Slayer to identify exactly how Useful He would be to them. The way he saw it, there wasn't a substantial amount of risk in going about things in this fashion— if this oh-so confident plan of his went poorly, that'd tell him that the man wasn't a conducive asset, whereas the alternative outcome would indicate he was, using the most accessible method they had at the moment. Sable being a committed, formidable pest was another topic, and yet he wasn't too concerned, not anymore. He had his own ideas.\n\nEndeven had asked Ha if she was ready. She paused for a moment, namely waiting to see if her companion had any more outstanding thought. With nothing more to add to the conversation, she, yet again, responded with a mindless nod, uniformly readying her enhanced blade. Despite an approaching battle, there was no increased vigor or identifiable gust to her tone, nor did her expression, lifeless as could be excluding the occasionally small reaction, change. ``\"I am prepared. We may go.\"``" }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "With the revealed existence of the metaphysical barrier, the black-robed magician took a step away from Blossom, her eyes shifting over their shoulder as she began to speak:\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Moge je me geen problemen bezorgen, buitenstaander.\":: •☽```\n\nIt was not so much a statement toward Blossom that she was making rather than it was a statement of hope spoken to herself. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, the control she held over her flames honing. She began to form a fuller image of the metro tunnel beyond her.\n\nThe flame that the high-speed coin pierces through wavers, immediately, upon being disrupted by the sharp change in atmosphere. Much akin to a candleflame, the light flickers and wavers, dying quickly as it is interfered with through a physical medium. The magician — her eyes still closed — raises a brow as the flame is snuffed, stepping around and beyond the right side of Blossom as a single of her golden eyes open, peering toward Gold from the opposite side of the tunnel. She stepped beyond the pink-haired magician infront of her, extending her right hand out to her side as she quickly manifested a replacement to the lost flame, her left hand forming a handsign. That flame hovered in-air, for a moment, before hovering at a halved velocity toward Gold.\n\nSimilarly, the Palm Gun, aimed up and firing at the flame still hovering directly above him, disperses the flame likewise. Yet Sable does not create a replacement for the lost flame, for she is, for a moment, still, smoke softly wisping off the edges of her garments and—\n\n`tfp`\n\n_ _\n\nNow standing behind Gold.\nShe manifested with her left hand outstretched towards Gold, the surface of her left palm releasing from the center of his lower back as her body instantaneously swapped positions. It was uncertain what she had just teleported to: two flames had travelled beyond Gold, one on either side of his body, and yet the position or absence of either could not be confirmed once they travelled past his blindspot. And indeed, it seemed they persisted in the absence of his sight for a continued moment, for even in turning he would not be able to find either of the flames: the black-robed sorcerer was likely maintaining the motion of at least one of them outside his sightlines with that particular purpose in mind.\n\n`I need to end this swiftly.`\n`As long as it is just one...`\n\nA new flame was created in her right hand in the moment she appeared, its form flickering and hovering away from the surface of her palm, suspended in-place where she manifest it. In the moment that her opponent might notice the absence of her presence ahead of him — her silhouette still dissipating from where she once stood — she began to launch her attack.\n\nThe pale-gold flame of her mana-reinforcement shrouded her then-freed right hand as she launched a physically-weak, though tremendously-magically-empowered hook toward the back of Gold's head — or his chin, if he, in that moment, turned. Though physically weak as Sable was, her usage of mana-reinforcement brought the impact of her attacks to a level on-par with peak human output, if not outright transcending it by a significant margin: it was a heavy hit, and one meant to immediately debilitate. Yet her left hand remains in a handsign, close to her chest, mana still shrouding it — it is for that reason that her blow is so weak from a physical standpoint." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "This would make it far easier to actually perform their plan, since he didn't have to search for Sable. \n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Hmmm...\" ✦]\n```\n\nGold and Starbi were also present, as Endeven quickly realized, luckily the latter was unharmed. Due to Endeven witnessing Gold's fight with Sable, his thesis of Gold's goal being Sable seemed even more believable. Instead of hunting down Endeven and Ha, they had remained here, fighting Sable, making it implausible to believe that Gold was after the Spirit-Koi. Nonetheless, Endeven remained careful about the purple-haired fellow, since his intentions were still unclear. Ultimately his eyes locked in on Sable as she was the only one amongst the combatants that was likely to attack him.\n\n```ini\n[ \"You don't mind if I leave, right?\" ]\n```\n\nEndeven had already placed his hands together while he fell, aligning finger by finger, each of them pointing upward to the night sky. Maybe this is how he managed to stand so effortlessly after that descent from the airborne portal. The sight of that handsign in addition to the comment that he had just made was a bluff to make the group believe he was going to leave, however his true intention differed. The cantum sorcerer was aiming to make Sable perform a rash and instant decision in worry of Endeven leaving, while he could prepare to counterattack her, as the handsign he had formed, was in fact not intended for the use of Quasar Locus: Bind." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Since his answer, the starborn had just stood idly after he answered Blossom's question if any of them had seen what Starbi interpreted as Endeven.\nIt was then that the Pyromancer, Sable, was then going to provide a hook to the back of Gold's head if he wasn't fast enough to react. Everything felt... Dead for some reason, if was as if Starbi was going to go lost in thought as before. Before it could happen, Starbi shook his head for a moment,\nHe had to do something.\nNo sort of thought crossed Starbi's mind, other than doing something in the situation, despite the sudden feeling not to. Regardless, the Starborn rushed as fast as he could with no hesitation to Gold and Sable, before he stopped in his tracks from the sound of an explosion. Starbi used his right arm as a shield for his eyes. It felt a little familiar, before he took his arm away from his eyes, seeing that.. It was Endeven! A smile was painted on Starbi's face.\n\"Hi Dioscuri!!\" Starbi exclaimed with his smile, Joyful Aura, which faded away due to the situation, made an effect as Starbi was happy to see a friend of his, instantly forgetting Gold and Sable.\n\n```\" You don't mind if I leave, right? \"```\n\nStarbi titled his head slightly with a puzzled expression on his face, yet it was more friendly than dreadful, was Endeven going to leave?\n``apparently.``\n\nEndeven probably has a plan, and that plan seemingly was to escape? But that didn't make sense, Endeven could've just left another way, so why did he just.. Come here to then say he was leaving? For dramatic effect? Starbi didn't strike Endeven for the theatre type. Although he did have ~~``purple hair and pronouns``~~ a sort of Affinity for showing off his magic, or fighting, during the fight with the speedster Jovan, \n``who was still on the fucking floor,``\nMaybe Endeven was just going to do something fun before leaving? Starbi could've sensed some sort of joy from Endeven during the fight, so he figured he found some joy in combat or sparring." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "The flames can be snuffed. Valuable information to avoid an attack from the magic should push come to shove. As one head is removed, another comes to takes it place - it too being removed just as suddenly as it had been summoned.\n\nTfp\n\nWhile unclear as to How* Exactly Sable had appeared, Gold Does Have a __potential__ clue – even if perhaps incorrect – with one small interaction from earlier that, at the time, had seemed strange. `Maybe...`\n\nSable had previously touched Gold's calf, which could mean–\n\n`Behind!!`\n\nTing-tnggngngngngngg\n\nHis head rotates swiftly, the average human being able to maneuver at about 200 milliseconds if abrupt enough, close Enough To Gold's own reaction time, as the coin that had been dispersing coins closer towards Sable's original position falls to the ground and rolls a short distance further away; having landed on its edge. While he Could Have potentially used this piece of change to do the trick, it made much more sense to use a Closer Coin, being the one that he had previously discarded solely to deal with piercing the flames.\n\nGold's body doesn't need to tilt the full way in order to picture his assailant clearly – a small graze could potentially do the trick if she was still enough. As he turns to face her- exposing his Chin - the coin that had previously been on the ground just in front of him careens towards her, following the motion of Gold's head at an unbearably fast speed as it threatens her to either pick another target or to trade a blow to Gold's head with a much more extreme blow from the coin towards her out-stretched arm should she not fall back immediately." }, { "author": "Blossom d'Ecritoire", "message": "Blossom was well, very overwhelmed with the events transpiring. \nAt first Blossom was well happy, to hear this stranger who identified themselves as Starbi, tell them that Endeven was nearby. It was interesting to hear he was a friend of Endeven's though. Not to be mean or anything, but Endeven doesn't exactly have many friends. Blossom would know that, since they are Endeven's friend.\n\nThey weren't able to give a reaction to that though, as the sudden attempted attack left them well, shocked to say the least.\nIt made them close their eyes, bracing for impact, not expecting... Whatever blocked to attack to pop up. By the time Blossom opened their eyes again whatever had blocked the attack was already gone. The sudden Dutch profanity did peak their interest though. Alas, too bad the situation moves too quickly.\n\nThey then watched the stranger who attacked them and the other stranger clash for a bit. Normally, they are quite good at taking in a lot of information in a short time. Well, they still are, except they were not prepared for a Fight. Especially since Endeven had mentioned preparing not fighting. Speaking of Endeven where did he go anyway? The Starbi person had mentioned him yet Endeven didn't seem close by. Maybe in a nearby building?\n\nThe repeat of more Dutch made them even more curious. Then again, good luck asking the person who just tried to kill you about if they speak a language. So Instead they decided to look at Starbi again and were about to ask a question when-\nAn explosion, a pretty loud one at that. They made sure to shield their eyes, those organs are more sensitive then most people would like them to be. Shortly afterwards they were met with Endeven, or well a silhouette which looked like Endeven.\nThe ''You don't mind if I leave, right?'' Spoken by the silhouette mealy confirmed this. Leave? Surely the purple haired mage had a plan.\n\nThey didn't think too long before deciding to rush closer to Endeven, clearly something was protecting them from harm right now anyway, so a normally quite reckless move wouldn't hurt too much right?\n\n```\n\"Seems like he's finally here.\"\n```\n\nIt was more of a general statement rather than said towards anyone, it might even catch the space bending magician's attention if they were lucky." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Running and jumping from roof to roof felt like an eternity, all the while he thought to himself about his past, What am I doing? I don't have to work as an agent anymore, but it's also not like I don't have any other choice. What is there for me to do? I don't know anything else. This is like the revolution all over again. \"William go cause chaos, William go rob the army train, William use the long gun to kill the enemy commander.\" The prior orders of his commanders ringing through his head. He soon lands on a roof overviewing the Metro entrance, seeing the commotion of the people down below, the only person he knew being Starbi. He observes the people below and what looked like a portal in the sky? What the fuck is that? And who are those people? Is Starbi safe here, I have to provide overwatch for him. As he thinks to himself he begins adjusting his rear sight on his rifle. Estimated range 230 meters equals to 251 yards, but given the angle more likely 270 meters which equals...295 yards so adjust sight to 300 yards. He thinks to himself as he repositions his body using the dark sky behind him to hide his position, he places his pointer finger and thumb on his bolt getting into a Mad Minute firing position. He will only fire if someone attacks Starbi or if the fight is going too out of hand, and when he does fire he will drop and crawl to a new position to continue hiding his position." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "`Aggression. Repetition.`\n`Apprehension. Dormancy.`\n`Revelation. Misdirection.`\n`A false technique. Emergence.`\n`Teleportation. Reappearance.`\n\nSable's aureate flames flared as a familiar participant's presence took shape, scouted within the periphery of a flame she had earlier launched from Blossom's position — the one still slowly travelling toward Gold. The illumination of the flame gave sight to the manifest wormhole, the passing light of the flickering proxy of mana acting as a conduit for an extension of the ashen mage's perception. In the moment the wormhole formed and the second robed magician appeared, the black-robed sorcerer Sable narrowed her burning eyes, her mind immediately laden with a necessity to reform a complete grasp on the situation at-hand, perplexity filling her gaze and a subtle ire tugging on her brow. \n\n`The Spirit Koi...`\n`...What intent do you have bringing it back here?`\n\nHer flames wavered following their flaring, as a number of lines of logic and questions simultaneously progressed within that split-second period her hand still remained in its sign, mana fluctuating sharply through her body as it sprouted from her `SOUL.`* \n\n`One, and not two...`\n`...And yet the treasure is with the one sent to confront me.`\n_ _\n\nYet the moment of distraction would not defeat her judgment over the matter at hand; she maintained her sound sense through the unrest of it all.\n\nWhen Gold would turn to face Sable, his vision, in a blur, would pass briefly under the form of a flame one that lingered just above and barely in the peripheral of his sight, travelling up and out of it just barely after he turned, crossing fully behind him after again eluding his line-of-sight. This was where the second of her two flames had gone.\n\nThe coin pierces her arm with an impossible cleanliness, and her fist dissipates into smoke upon its collision with Gold's chin, the gaseous residuals of her mana still harmlessly carrying the momentum of her attack. She had teleported out of her own action before it would even realistically make contact: the punch was a feint to begin with. Even in the midst of thought, she cast her premeditated spells almost instinctually, misdirecting her opponent as the silhouette of her former position began to fade at its edges into pale smoke. \n\nYet her plan following the feint had changed with the re-emergence of Dioscuri.\n\n`...I'll make this quick.`\n_ _\n\nThe flame now woven above and behind the man shuddered, and, immediately following Sable's initial disappearance, she remanifested to take its position, her form coalescing in-air. Her leg curled in almost immediate succession to her arrival, pale-gold flames powerfully engulfing her shin and boot, as she launched a momentous left-to-right midair kick to the back of Gold's head, her foot swinging and hooking in toward his ear. Transpiring in the fragmentary period of time it would take Gold to fully face Sable's initial position — where still lingered her fading silhouette — she sought to land a critical, debilitating blow in his newly-formed blindspot. It carried with it an output that approached peak-human strength despite Sable's otherwise unremarkable physiology: such was the merit achieved by trading-off sheer efficiency for sheer force in the use of an explosive output of `external mana reinforcement.`\n\nImmediately following either the attack's success or failure, Sable would not let herself hit the groud following the mid-air attack. \n\n*`CLAP.`\n\nHer hands came together immediately following her leg's motion, as she changes positions with that of another flame: the earlier flame she had made just after she teleported behind Blossom, which had remained in the stairwell still due to both the speed of her assault and the slowness of its travelling itself. Her clothes still carrying some of the downward momentum as gravity earlier began to act on her due to her mid-air teleportation, her robe flutters as she immediately turned, re-orienting herself toward Endeven and beginning to climb the entry of the metro with headlong speed.\n_ _\n\n`\"Ffft...\"`\n\nShe blows air between her teeth, releasing the surface of her palms one-from-another, as pale-gold flames engulf them in vibrant light. Then, coalescing, two candlelicks' of flame form hovering above either palms: two more `LONT`S* Among many.\n\n*```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Vooruit!\" :: •☽```\n\nAs she took one more expeditious step toward Endeven, her hand immediately shifted into a symbol, pointing directly toward the sorcerer ahead of her, as both licks of flames are spontaneously granted tremendous speed — like that of an arrow — straight toward him. They cross from left-to-right, from right-to-left, converging just before they hit him—\n\n`—fft!`\n\n—but never do, each travelling straight past him and past the opposite sides of Endeven and as they had initially manifested at Sable's own, curving swiftly into his blindspot and forming an X-shaped trail that converged directly ahead of him. It was a hastened attempt to approach as provoked by the conical-hatted sorcerer's sudden appearance and the mere potential of him absconding with the Koi, and yet one not too hasty as to dump her efforts into an all-or-nothing attack.\n\nShe still held her skepticism about her: why hadn't they simply fled through the metro tunnels to find some other way to resurface?\n\n`...Hmph.`\n\nA light scowl on her face and a turbulent, fiery mana enshrouding both of her arms, the sorcerer grew closer and closer to Endeven, approaching melee range, as aureate light engulfs the darkened cement beneath a vast, overlit city skyline. She had changed surroundings to an open area yet again — something she disfavored for the in the case of pursuing someone actively running from her — and now began to take in the environment in the perception of her mind's eye once more. Her body pivots as she finally enters melee range, her left fist curving in with a punch that carried the forward momentum of her sprint, and her right hand in a simple symbol, prepared to use a spell." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Seeing the growing flame and clash of the magic users from his position atop the roof, William focuses his attention on the main attacker, Sable, feeling the battle was getting out of hand he aimed his rifle at Sable and took a deep breathe... Aligning the front sight with the rear sight, relaxing his hand and placing his thumb on the bolt of his rifle in a mad minute technique, he took a breathe out and squeezed his trigger...\nBANG* RACK\nBANG RACK\nBANG RACK\nHe fired 3 shots and quickly racked his bolt, chambering a new round with precision and expertise, the recoil hitting his shoulder being a memory of a past long forgotten for others but not for him. As the cracks and burn of the powder filled the air, he knew that he only had 3 seconds to find a new position before the report of the rifle could be heard by the others. Dropping onto his back he rolled over to lay flat on his stomach and proceeded to crawl to a new area to remain hidden and still have clear shots on the others, he thought to himself, Watch the battle, protect Starbi, remember the mission. No time for emotions. He repeated the phrase in his head as he crawled to a new spot and readied his rifle once again to take more shots.\n\nIf the bullets hit than Sable would be hit in the lower back by three shots of a tight group of 30-06" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "It was a clash of light and flames. The flames obviously from Sable's pyromancy, as well as the \"Light\" Coming from Endeven with his light-like magic from what Starbi has witness, as if Endeven was able to bend light itself with pure ease.\n\nFor a slight moment, he wondered if Starbi was able to fight Endeven if Starbi regained more of his abilities, but that wasnt really something important to think as of now, Starbi was useless.\n\nDespite in all of this, Starbi decided to move back a few feet and keep distance and let Endeven handle it like he thought of before, that's what the two came to as an agreement before all of this happened. \n\n`BANG RACK \nBANG RACK\nBANG RACK`\n\nStarbi then jolted, as he froze when he ducked from whatever those noises were with his hands over his head, they sounded like Gunshots. \n\nHe wasn't really sure where the bullets hit, but Starbi remained still for a moment, no sensations of pain or discomfort, so Starbi wasn't hit.\n\nBut what that would mean for the others there? Blossom, Gold, Sable, Endeven? What if any of them got hurt? Starbi hoped that nobody got hurt, and that the bullets just missed.\nHe didn't think that anymore violence was going to help the situation." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "As Sable once again attempts to teleport behind him, Gold's eye catches a small glimpse of the embers provided by the Flame, which, in any other circumstance, would have prompted him to try and snuff it.\n\nThis is not that circumstance, though-\n\nSable disappears once more, Gold making a hard prediction utilizing the faint glow of the Shard Sable wielded atop her Right shoulder, that his opponent would once again try to land a blow as his eyes dart to the right side. It is because of this shard then, that the very Faintest Of shadows is cast for Gold to see, and, not feeling a sudden, instantaneous chill, it is most definitely Not His own.\n\n\nHis eyes bring the coin with them as he attempts to Flick The projectile mentally towards his assailant's center mass - once again threatening her to back off due to the projectile's overwhelmingly fast speed - and ducking his head entirely forward as both a direct attack path is formed, and Sable's kick is dodged. Due to the nature of the attack vector, Gold does not need to move nearly as much as one might expect. It seems it is not as much a True Blind-spot as previously thought...\n\nIf she did not teleport out of her kick, the coin would be aimed directly towards her stomach, aiming to pierce right through as clean as it could and head towards the wall behind the magic-wielder. A trade. The speed provided from A Mental Lever Long Enough Would not immediately dissipate once Gold lets go, as evident by the secondary coin from earlier which had finally fallen to the ground just beyond where Sable had launched her fireballs from. In other words then, it would not slow down substantially enough in time to lessen the blow towards Sable, and especially not when it was so close-quarters." }, { "author": "timiette", "message": "Did i make a mistake" }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "THUMP\nDirect impact.\n\nThe Sable infront of Gold — the silhouette of her position as she touched him — still lingered. His reactions are yet slower than what would allow him to turn once more after turning initially, this impossibility in reversing one's own momentum out of a panicked reaction being the exact circumstance the black-robed sorcerer was looking for. As he had dedicated to a breakneck attack toward Sable's positioning earlier behind him, all what focus imposed on his mind and inertia acting on his body would not wholly prevent a swift re-reaction, but would still delay it long enough that the fullness of his turn or his dodge would not transpire until after her foot had already come in contact his ear; after her kick had directly impacted the side of his skull.\n\nHe was a moment too late. The stimuli which he reacted to were far too nebulous to grant clear enough tells enough to substantiate an immediate reaction and a dodge — especially one that already potentially exceeded his capacity to react to even in the presence of such tells in the first place. Sable's silhouette of her own former positioning (its smoke-hazed fist still hurling toward Gold's face) would muddy his capacity to take note of the shadow, and the burden of focus in perpetuating the coin's momentum at eye-level would likely further detract from his ability to immediately notice its presence or absence of a miniscule detail on the floor below him. Any sense of its clarity would be further lost in the murkiness of the entire situation, flickering shadows cast multiple ways across the metro stairs by the ambient light of the sorcerer's aureate flames, each of the former's shapes ablur due to how fast Gold had thrust himself into a turn.\n\n_ _\n\nIndividually, perhaps, these challenges could be overcome; together, however, they would each necessitate a moment of delay that was decisive against an instantaneous attack made with the express intent of misdirecting him.\n\nTo aim to pierce her straight through the stomach would further deny Gold the opportunity to attempt to trade: she was positioned a full 180-degrees behind him, and in targeting her center mass, he would be forced to make a full or at least significant turn to see her, an act which would itself be denied by the force of the kick pounding against his head.\n\n`- -`\n\nPresent time.\nGolden manas flickered off of Sable's hands as she continued to break away from the metro at full-pace, the moon and sky softly illuminating her form where the light of the pale-gold flame did not reach. Further than her was Endeven, backlit by blinding lights that left him a silhouette in the dusklit setting of the Festival outskirts — nearby flanked by the arena of the `Margo Aeternitatis`* —; further yet than him, however, were the mage's two aureate flames. Those two candlelights — those two *`LONT`S* Among many — were carried with the whole of her direct focus, their light as piercing as the speed withwhich they pierced through the atmosphere. Each carried the like velocity of an arrow, thinning as they left behind a stretched, bright trail that curved and warped around and past their target, disappearing into Endeven's blindspot.\n \nBoth Endeven and Sable remain with handsigns formed, one approaching and one retreating. They are equally as prepared for one-another's next move as their opposite, and they are equally as prepared for the followup that will succeed the first, decisive move. Sable's senses were honed as she sharpened her focus and her extrasensory perception to take note of the Koi-holder's mana, aureate light pouring forth from her eyes—\n\n—as a hole pierces into her lower stomach.\n\nIn a battle between sorcerers, there is scarcely anything more alarming than something present only on a solitary plane of existence.\n_ _\n\nA sorcerer understands that all magic is derived from the spirit realm. The nascent form of a magic is perceived as an agitation of the spirit realm and the ignition of an opposing magician's *`SOUL`,* All before mana is given substance and a spell hypostatizes into the material world. One that perceives the spirit realm learns to trust it and its auspices as a precursor of what is soon to come in the present reality.\n\nThat is exactly why such a mundane attack is so terrifying.\nIt is created and exists only within the mundane reality — unseen by eyes that can perceive even the `SOUL` — and yet its impact is felt all the same as a greater offensive spell.\n\nBlood seeps into her robe as the world in Sable's perception immediately drops to a standstill, and yet it is not first the sensation of pain that rings throughout her mind, but rather the sharp sense of tremendous velocity only just now beginning to be processed by her mind — a mental afterimage of what was earlier sensed by the extrasensory perception of the two auric flames that first detected Endeven's upward motion, and then the bullets cleaving past them. Though hit, she, in the continuation of this mental standstill and still in the perpetuation of her handsign, was prepared to dodge the two that followed.\n\n*`TFP`\n_ _\n\nAs the second bullet sails through the atmosphere toward Sable, it pierces impossibly-clean through her body, blowing a disproportionately-wide hole through her center-mass, as does the third. Each successive shot after the first struck as though it were blowing through a cloud of smoke — because that was exactly what they were doing. Though they were fired quickly in succession one-after-another, Sable had teleported immediately after the first hit pierced into her body, leaving her former position occupied by naught but her silhouette in pale smoke.\n\nWhere she had teleported to, however, was... Unknown. Neither of the two flames that had crossed behind Endeven had disappeared, and neither did Sable re-manifest in any position that William could scout from his vantage-point. She had teleported to a position that was unseen by any of the individuals in adjacency to the metro — one that had either long left their sights or had been placed in a location long before this skirmish had even begun.\n\nShe was absent, entirely.\n_ _\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Verdoemde ding...\" :: •☽```\n\nIn the midst of the deeper bowels of the metro tunnel, Sable remanifested, swapping her position with that of a flame she earlier launched via the use of the simple command \"Vooruit\".\nHer hand lingers over the wound as she channels a honed and slightly altered form of internal reinforcement, the outflow of blood slowing slightly as she struggles to block up the wound with the crude, unrehearsed technique.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Focus...\" :: •☽```\n\nShe takes a deep breath in. In mere seconds, she regains control of her manaflow, isolating the two wounds she had been inflicted: the bullethole and the moderately-sized gash that she had earlier sustained from Ha's initial assault, whose first strike had indeed contacted, albeit shallowly.\n\nHer eyes open, aglow with pale-gold mana. Her palm outstretched as she renews the recently-expended flame — creating a beacon she may later recall to — as her eyes then again closed, her focus now shifting to the extended perception of the two flames she launched at Endeven.\n_ _\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Focus—\" :: •☽```\n\nShe assumes direct control over one of the twin flames' motion. Both remained purposefully hidden some distance away from Endeven and lingered in his blindspot, and only now did a single of the two reveal its position. It launches straight up from where it once remained, streaking through the air as it rapidly gains altitude — climbing multiple hundreds of meters in the span of seconds, piercing far into the sky overhead. It shimmers, faintly, an infinitesimally-small glimmer in the overlit night sky, barely visible at the height it now remained suspended at.\n\nSave for the two flames on the surface and the one she had just created, the rest of the flames she had created are snuffed manually, fading into the darkness of the metro.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"—and retake control of the situation.\" :: •☽```\n\n\n\n`Are you ready, Agnes?`\nSucking a sharp breath through her lips, the sorcerer exhales heavily, before clenching and unclenching her blood-stained left hand. She observes it, before swinging it and its opposite out and then back in—\n\n\n\n`CLAP.`\n—as she is then immediately plunged into freefall.\n\n`DISTANCE FROM THE GROUND: 500 METERS`\n\n—Her hands still together, she sharply focused, her eyes closed as she descended upside-down. A single flame flickering into existence for each second she descended immediately following her remanifestation, six total spark to life, hovering concentrically about her, until she releases her stance and again opens her eyes.\n_ _\n\n`DISTANCE FROM THE GROUND: 300 METERS`\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"VOORUIT!\" :: •☽```\n\n—She yells a command as her eyes scan vaguely over the form of the city from above. All the world is a blur even in her far-seeing golden eyes, and yet it is granted unmeasurable clarity in the sight of the six golden flames she has now sent forth, each toward the general direction of where William's three shots came from. Individually, they could cover little ground; together, they could scan over a vast range of land, surveying almost the entire general region from rooftop-height to both literally and figuratively shine light on the positioning of the marksman.\n\n`DISTANCE FROM THE GROUND: 100 METERS`\n\nHer hands come back together as she claps, and yet she does not teleport immediately.\n\n`Weave the negation of your own momentum into the spell's formula...\"`\n\n__```asciidoc\n✧ \"Vijfde Licht.\" :: ✧```__\n\nFlames wholly engulf Sable's body as she disappears much slower than what is typical of her otherwise instantaneous teleportation. The flame left lingering in Endeven's blindspot wavers, as she remanifests in a small burst of pale, aureate light — upright and intact, albeit somewhat disoriented.\n\n`TOUCHDOWN.`\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"We're not done here yet. :: •☽```\n\nShe crouched down, placing her hand against the cement ground beneath her.\n\n```asciidoc\n✧ \"Eerste Licht.\" :: ✧\nA fiery rune engraves itself on its surface. Then, rising, she places her hands together.\n✧ \"Tweede Licht.\" :: ✧\n✧ \"Derde Licht.\" :: ✧\nTwo more appear, glowing faintly as they decorate either of her palms.```\n\n`No more fooling around.`\n`I could die,`* She thought. `So I will use every technique in my arsenal to avoid defeat.`\n\nNot immediately acting to attack Endeven, she kept her extended distance about 15 meters behind her target: the Koi-holder. She was still bleeding, somewhat, a fiery presence engulfing the site of her wound — yet she maintained herself with a composure that suggested she was not feeling any of its pain, despite what pangs were truthfully resounding sharply through her body. This time, she would not launch a flame; rather, she would slowly approach the magician floating in the midst of combat. Now, Sable walked at a soft and walking pace, growing closer as she, with both hands, touched her middle and little fingers against the runes on her palms — her index and middle outstretched — making no sudden movements as she closed distance.\n\nHer awareness of her distanced surroundings was growing rapidly by the second, one of her golden eyes closed and attuned to share the perception of the flames actively seeking out William's position. She was effectively fighting two battles simultaneously, and thus she took a much slower and more meticulous approach, her opposite and open eye sharply glaring toward the Cantum sorcerer ahead of her — honing her perception on his `SOUL`." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "From his position above he saw Starbi hide away from his bullets, he felt Sad? He wasn't sure why or why he even cared if Starbi was afraid but that doubt was soon replaced with focus as he saw Sable free fall through the air and send flames towards his area. Great, she doesn't know exactly where I am, but that fire will act as a flare like from the trenches. No point in hiding now. He thought to himself, he steadied his rifle once again this time tilting his head so his hat could cover his eyes from the firey glow that came ever closer to his position. He bit down on his dog tags that hung around his neck and began to recite a poem that he said before every major battle, \"In the mud and blood, hills and forests, we shall fight. Whether it be thousand or million men, we shall fight. No rest. No surrender. For the bleak battle holds no care for our ever lasting love.\" As he spoke, a flame grew around his hands and wrapped like a vine of flowers around his stock and barrel, transferring all its heat and gas into the chambered round. With a deep breath, everything seemed too slow, a soldiers minute. It may seem like eternity but be over in a flash.\nBANG-RACK\nWhile it couldn't be seen by any of the others, what looked to be a Smile Tugged at the corners of his mouth. As the bullet left the barrel the sound of a Canon and smell of sulfur filled the air, a travel trail from the extended gas of the round and magic would show his location but he didn't care for that now, he only cared to end the fight one way or another. The bullet traveled at a speed of 3,800 feet per second, giving only 0.2 seconds to cover the distance from himself and the target. Feeling the strain on his rifle stock from the overextended gas, he knew that any more shots of that power would break or even destroy his rifle. He jumps up and offs the roof onto a nearby building and makes his way towards the street level.\n\nIf his round hits, then it would pierce through Sables stomach, while not a killing shot. If the wound is not treated immediately or Sable decides to continue their fight, then it could be..." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "WHUMP- Pain, both dull yet also sharp as the foot connects; both coins dropping to the floor with a Tng-ngngngngnngn As he stumbles to the side, momentarily losing his footing as he falls to the ground with an \"Ah-\"\n\nThat one really hurt. That'll take some time to get back up from.. Not down and out quite yet, but certainly struggling with the sudden, extreme pounding headache that had approached – but not surpassed wholly – punishments of which Gold had taken before.. \n\n`Take a moment, collect yourself, get back up. Get back up. Get up, K.` His hand reaches to the side of his head that had been impacted. One... Two... Three...\n\n`C'mon K, you've had worse happen.` But yet, for just a moment longer, Gold rubs the side of his head, looking up slightly yes, trying to gather where the flames that had danced nearby were based off of their lighting. One of the coins – the one nearest, which he had tried to launch at Sable before losing his focus – slowly picks itself up off the ground, though the effort for the moment is currently labored.\n\nBreathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.\n\nTckeeeewww- The Palm Gun Primes as Gold attempts to reflect the light off of the coin to try and catch the flame and disperse it, moving albeit very slowly as he attempts to shakily regain his footing; not exposing himself to the outside of the metro quite yet. \"Ahh, fuckin'-... Ngghh..\"\n\nIn other words, Gold effectively just sits there for a moment or two." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "The three bullets pierced Sable and then she was gone. Just like that. It was beneficial for Endeven that Sable had been injured, but her disappearance was not good at all. Endeven was slowly moving upwards, as he was being pushed away from the air around. While air was everywhere, there was less the further he would rise into the sky. Now four meters above the ground, he scouted the direction which the shots originated from. Nobody to be seen.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Hm..\" ✦]\n```\n\nThey were probably hiding. `But why did they shoot her and not me?` The sorcerers gaze turned to Blossom, Starbi and Gold, then he started looking for the flames that had been around him. Endeven acknowledged them as the means of Sable's teleportation, as demonstrated during their first encounter. This meant that she was able to appear behind his back and strike him at any point. While his ability was active, it would not matter, as Endeven would be repelled before contact, but his ability did not last forever, in fact.. There was not much time left. After witnessing Sable's use of both flames he knew he had to land, and since Sable had used both of her teleportation-points it felt safer to do this than before. But Endeven was now essentially 6 meters elevated, keeping his eyes on his target, Sable. His hands, still performing the hand sign, now rotated by both wrists by 180°, pointed towards the ground.\n`Plus 200KG` \nEndeven had undone his negative bend technique an regained positive mass, causing him to immediately fall. Before he hit the ground, his wrists rotated back to the original hand position.\n`Minus 200KG`\n`Release.`\nAlthough it seemed like he was going to crash down against the ground, Endeven landed smoothly, as if it those 6 meters turned into a quarter. His hands had split, as Endeven held them up in a defensive fighting stance. The Elechrome energy previously split across his body concentrated into his right hand. He had started stepping in an orbit around Sable, attempting to keep the distance, but also trying to relocate into a position which allowed for him to observe Gold and William's directions in his peripheral field of vision. While making his way around Sable, he slowly decreased the distance between the two.\n```ini\n[✦ \"Don't Peek.\" ✦]\n```\nHe was quick to recognize Sable's attempt of Soulsight, since he was subject to the eyes of many at the academy. His `SOUL` Was one difficult to read, considering the tough vessel, obscuring Endeven's inner ideals and deep desires from others. It was as if there was a mirror laminated over Endeven's spirit, leaving the reflection of Sable's own glowing eyes as the easiest recognizable shape. Though Endeven's vessel was clearly not perfect, indicated by cracks that allowed the skilled eyes of an advanced soulsight-user to peer inside.. While he fought against Sable's Soulsight, Endeven stepped closer, now directly approaching Sable.\n\n```ini\n[✦ \"Evergleam.\" ✦]\n``` `Zzzzttt`\n\nA more direct way of dealing with sight. The bright source of light, too bright for eyes to comprehend, appeared in Endeven's left hand. He himself had looked away, towards the entrance of the metro to avoid blinding himself. The cantum sorcerer had amped up the brightness of his Protochrome Energy to an incredibly irritating level. If Sable was to keep staring at Endeven, while he used his Evergleam, the brightness would shortly overload her photoreceptors, causing her to see god for three seconds, followed by a short period of visual impairment via afterimages. During this time, Endeven would charge at her, `She better not teleport again.` and if he arrives infront of her, Endeven would raise his brightly glowing hand, performing what seems to be a left hook, but slips into a sucker punch with his elechromatic right, aiming to hit Sable's solar plexus." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "One eye closed.\nAnd within the eye still open, the essence of the `SOUL`* Is revealed.\n\nSable was fighting on two fronts simultaneously. In the apperception of what far exceeded what her mundane eyes could see, the black-robed magician slowed her movements with a level of meticulousness that allowed her to balance her growing apprehension of both what stood directly ahead of her and what lied far beyond her. Aureate flames engulfed both of her sigil-formed hands, as she caught sight the furtive light of sparks of mana, changing and seething beyond the Cantum sorcerer's ever-opaque Vessel, rejecting her use of `Soulsight.`\n\n`Not yet.`\n\nThough what actions the mage ahead of her was taking that seemed to suggest preparation for an assault — repositioning, channeling a spell, sparkling aglow with `Protochrome Energy` — she did not act anticipatorily. Even as the world ahead of her detonated into furious light and her single open mundane eye was blinded, she did not move. For now, even blinded, flinching back slightly, and stancing herself in order to prepare for a head-on assault, she was holding her focus elsewhere, for a single hint: a cue, a sign; one that portended a much more exigent threat against her in this battle.\n\nThe six golden flames soaring over the rooftops of the southern Sanctum Mesa district each simultaneously flicker. Even in mundane blindness, she still sees. She sees as with the sight of eagles, each aureate light an extension of her mind's eye. In that eye, she sees⸻\n_ _\n\n*BANG.\n\n`0.000s`\nFrom the time the trigger was pulled to the time it would pierce Sable's body through, only 0.2 seconds would pass.\n`0.080s`\nConsidering his distance, there would usually be no chance for the sorcerer to react.\n`0.100s`\nHowever, in her shared perception, she saw him.\n`0.120s`\nShe saw a rousing light amidst shadowed silhouettes,\n`0.140s`\nFiery veins simmering across a protrusion in the dark,\n`0.160s`\nAnd the flare of ignition;\n`0.180s`\nSulfur and gunpowder erupting at the foot of a great shadow.\n\n`0.200s`\n`TFP`\n\nHer hand outstretched at the final moment, as its rune glitters alight. The bullet pierces the sorcerer's stomach, and a small, clean hole is blown through her center. Almost simultaneously, she remanifested about 50 centimeters ahead of her initial position, her body aflare in auric glow, with her left palm touching against where the extended hand of the smoky silhouette marked her earlier position. She consumed the outstretched rune and \"Swapped places\" With it; she had set Herself* As a target destination.\n\nIt was a spell whose timing and precision was so fine that one could not tell whether she had been hit or not. Her position hardly changed, yet the teleportation — if timed correctly — would certainly be enough for her to pass beyond the bullet just as it approached, despite how improbable entering through such an infinitely-narrow window-of-opportunity would seem. It was a teleportation whose success and failure rode on the infinitesimally-small period of time it would take the bullet to travel arms-length.\n\nAnd still she seemed unperturbed.\n_ _\n\nBut Endeven's approach and subsequent attack was soon to come. Immediately after the sorcerer had sounded out William's position, she shifted the symbol she formed with her left hand — clenching it into a fist — as all but two of the six flames were immediately snuffed, the twin lights left behind now twirling high in the sky as they hovered slightly above and beyond where William remained stationed following his shot. Simultaneously, her right hand broke from its sigil and into an open palm as she reoccupied one of the then-freed *`KAARS`,* An aureate flame igniting just above her palm and granting her supernatural clarity-of-sight where Endeven had stolen her mundane vision. Where the golden light shines, she can see, and see truly through the elucidation of flame — that is her prerogative as a *`Lichtdrager`.\n\nAs the Cantum mage flung his fist inward, Sable perceived it clearly. Both her eyes were then closed, yet, unmoved by the oncoming threat, she stepped strongly inward toward Endeven and matches his approach, swinging her open right palm in toward him (the flame originating from it now hovering over her shoulder) — seeking to counter him as soon as he entered melee range. The subtle time-lag between Endeven's feint and his punch toward her center-mass would most likely allow Sable to make contact with him before he made contact with her; it seemed as though she planned to trade with his initial punch, and yet the truth of her plan would be quickly revealed when her palm met contact with Endeven's body.\n\nThe second rune.\nUnder normal circumstances, her hand would make contact and she would then swiftly suffer the impact of the full frontal attack. That would be if it were not for the second rune upon her right hand.\n\n`The Second Light.`\n_ _\n\n```asciidoc\n✧ Tweede Licht. :: ✧```\n\nA nonverbal somatic incantation. The words quickly passed across her lips, and then immediately Endeven would be engulfed in the hollow golden-flame — it not singing a hair on his body — as the effects of the spell would then take place: Forced teleportation.* His destination: the rune just behind Sable — the one she had formed soon after landing. Instantaneously after her palm would make contact with any point on his body, that rune she decorated her right hand with would be consumed to instantaneously displace Endeven immediately behind her, his back facing her and her back facing him. They were each separated by about five-steps' distance, neither at an advantage nor a disadvantage.\n\nWith her eyes now opening, she turned to face her displaced opponent, immediately seeking to reap what advantage she may have afforded herself by potentially disorienting Endeven, having effectively teleported him \"Through\" Herself. She, in two steps, dashed toward him, engulfed her left hand with an infernal golden flame, and struck momentously toward the magician's center-back (or the front of his chest if he turned), twisting her hips into a straight punch, this time leveraging her full body-weight, physical strength, and tremendous, superhuman external-mana-reinforcement, into the blow. And also this time, she formed no symbol with her right hand; it was undoubtedly an attack she was completely dedicating to, and intending wholly to end the fight with." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```\n~4000Kᴍ/H ᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴀᴄʜɪɴɢ. Dear god, I must adjust the amount of pain transmitted by that.\n```\n\nWhile charging at Sable, stunned by pain, he made a short stop just a moment before the bullet pierced her and promptly gawked down as it entered the ground to his feet. BANG-RACK He immediately continued running towards Sable, expecting her to either try guarding his left hook or teleport elsewhere. Of course, this left him surprised when Sable attempted to land a blow before him. Since his right hand hadn't yet been launched towards the dutch sorceress, it played a more defensive role, since she was no longer open for attacks. In a futile attempt to knock away Sable's palm, they made contact, exchanging their awakened abilities with eachother. Endeven gained a rune from contact with Sable's palm, while Sable gained a black charge from contact with Endeven's arm. \n\nNow suddenly located somewhere else, their trade-off deemed quite useful, since the polarized charge in his left would pull his hand backwards towards Sable from the start, revealing her location to him. This was not the only indicator of her position though, as hidden on his nape was Oculus Accortex, which now had a perfect view on Sable both in the mundane and transmundane realm. The Incarnation's ability to view the transmundane was in a way akin to soulsight, but on an external level, incapable of being restrained by the vessel. It views the external flow of mana into the `SOUL` and its ever so slight fluctuations. Which allowed its user to grasp a prediction of spells being cast, more reliably the ones that were higher in cost, like Sable's active mana reinforcement. \n\nWith knowledge of Sable's Location, Velocity and Strength, Endeven was ready for counteracting. One unknown factor was the source of this high detected magic. He did not want to engage risks, meaning that neither he himself nor Ha, via Bind-Technique should be directly opposed to this unknown kind of magic. The Bend-Technique was still unable to be cast due to it's cooldown, leaving this out of the sorcerers options. So his left hand moved into the long robe's pocket in order to grab onto the 9 glass shards in it. Now splitting the Protochrome energy on his left across the fragments, he threw them to the ground in her direction to create a field of mines, intended to keep Sable stuck to her position through suspended monochromatic reactions. Simultaneously, Endevens right hand moved up into the air and as he turned towards Sable and it swiftly moved horizontally downward again to cast `Quasar Locus: Rend` In an attempt to cast a barricade for Sable's movement towards him, if she somehow made it past the glass shards, which her black charge was attracted to.\n\n`But she might teleport.` Endeven considered the risk of Sable instantly transmitting past his attempts to block her attack and was qualified to counter her teleportation with his own, like the plan between him and Ha suggested. He truly wanted to impress Salhaeja with his own performance, by not calling them into battle, but it seemed that this was not possible without a high risk. One too high to take. Thus his `SOUL` formed a spiritual bond, placed through the portal that the sorcerer had opened previously. A spiritual bond that would connect his self with the blind swordswoman, Ha aswell as the slayer, Sal. There came an order from Endeven like their plan stated. \n```\nRemain ready for the coordinated attack and strike her back with Two Sword. It doesn't actually sound too bad in action.\n```\nNonetheless his high efforts to combatting Sable left him open to the other unknown combatants, Gold and William, which his immense focus had removed from consideration." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "`C'mon, K...`\n\nTaking a deep breath; head still aching from the kick, of course, Gold aims the Palm Gun, catching the last embers of the flame that he had been searching for upon the coin – the one that had been just out of his peripheral vision.\n\n`pfffFF-` The Palm Gun Fires, hitting off of the coin and reflecting as it arcs into the wall opposite the surface.\n\n`Gotcha!!`\n\nOf course, while the others may have been able to tell that the manual snuffing had occurred, Gold was not yet outside; still within the metro and thus reveling in a victory he did not take.\n\n`- There's work t' be done. Get up, K.` A mental reminder to himself that – even despite the blows he had taken, he Needs That shard. It's His..\n\nGetting up to his feet, although still shaky, Gold re-enters the fight, ascending the metro steps and bearing witness to the... Wizarding Scuffle. As Sable goes for the blow towards Endeven, the coin that had been used to disperse the flame flings forward suddenly at its maximum speed; the man not caring – or knowing – if she had dedicated herself fully or not. Endeven is most decidedly Not Gold's target; there is no reason as of this very moment for Gold to initiate another fight. \n\n`Th' enemy 'f my enemy.`\n\nThe coin arcs towards Sable's Spine, Gold maintaining a good deal of `focus` so that If Sable teleported, the coin would immediately pause momentum to avoid harm to Endeven. Even still, the possibility - and risk - are both factors to consider.." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Making his way down to street level, William reaches up and adjusts his hat to give the best field of view. He uses the alleyways to remain hidden and make his way towards the metro entrance just in time to spot Gold move down the stairs, and out of sight. Remaining hidden within the shadows of the alleyway, being only an estimated 40 yards away from Sable and Endevan. He slowly reaches his hand down towards the pistol on his hip, knowing that his rifle couldn't handle another high-powered shot. He slowly steps out of the shadows to face the two. \"¡Manos arriba!\" He shouts at the two, \"Lady from the look of that first shot, I got you good. But if you wanna live through the night, I suggest you let me take a look at it. The only thing I ask in return is you give my comrade their protection.\" He says motioning towards starbi before speaking once again, \"I only ask this because that feller who went into the station, I met him once earlier this night and he has something that belongs to me. I know he'll cause more damage if he gets what he's searching for in there. I have my orders, so best take in mind about this, if I wanted you dead, you'll be dead. Whatever happens next happens to you first.\" He says in a tone of pure focus as smoke began to dance around his form, and the smell of sulfur became ever more present. His hand gripped his pistol, ready to draw at any moment." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "...\nStarbi just stood idle like a doll amidst the battle against the several combatants, it's all he could do, as expected. He had wondered for a moment what he could do, but interfering may end in his physical form being damaged. Nonetheless, he considered the idea of getting himself hurt to try and intervene himself, but that was a stupid idea, given that someone was shooting within the area, and how Sable got injured from the bullets shot near the station. Of course, Starbi did feel bad for Sable, as well as he wished that this may have been settled without violence, perhaps if Endeven decided Not To come back to the station, it may have turned out easier,\nBut he didn't. \nNot much could be done about that, as Starbi has said, the smallest, \nEven the stupidest choices,\nCould change fate altogether. And he seemed like he was right, given how he got caught up all in this when he just wanted to make others smile, and how this all started just because of a stupid fish, if he maybe had decided to leave once that crow-like mage came to help-\n\n ```¡Manos arriba!```\nHuh, knew it. \n\nStarbi turned his head to the side,, it was a familiar voice, it was William! A smile formed on his face at the sound of the voice, he had hope that things could be salvaged with his friend! Starbi let out a friendly wave to William. \n\"Hey William! Glad I could have you here!\" Starbi called out to him, Joyful Aura was now present in spite of the conflict. William then began to speak towards Sable, making a deal that he would tend to it in return for Sable to protect Starbi. Well, Starbi was under the impression that Endeven would do that, but given the context, he was occupied for the time being. Starbi was at least grateful for the gestu-\n\n```I know he'll cause more damage if he gets what he's searching for in there.```\nStarbi's smile vanished. What was William talking about? Orders? Did he have orders from someone? Did they involve him?\n\n...\nStarbi figured that William had his reasons, William seemed competent to Starbi and someone reliable, maybe this could get better now that he was here.\nBut he doesn't realise the fact he came after those gunshots, only now it'll get even worse than it initially would've been without his bullets." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "Her approach quickly grew slower, the shards of `Protochrome`-infused glass that now surrounded her attracting to her `Elechrome`-charged arm. Her golden eyes quickly darted about to each of the scattered glints of light surrounding her, each attracting with their own tug upon her form, effectively anchoring her in place.\n\n`...Telekinesis?`\n`...No, something more complicated.`* She thought, and since without the chance to swing at Endeven in the first place, swapped her furled fist into a handsign.\n`That strange light was proof of that. And...`\n*QUASAR LOCUS: REND\nThe mage was manipulating space, itself.\n\nHer opponent was more knowledgeable on magic than most others she had met so far. She had surmised that he had to be affiliated, in some way or another, and her idea of with Whom* Was beginning to quickly grow clear.\n_ _\n\n_ _\n`...Ah, I see.`\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Astra Cantum, huh?\" :: •☽```\n\nShe commented briefly, though she was already casting a spell. \n\nMana seethed off her form as she began to control the singular flame she had summoned earlier, the *`LONT`* Sparkling aglow before it was sent about three meters up and a meter forward from her current position. Almost immediately following her statement, she began to dissipate into smoke, changing positions. Sable manifest upside-down, mid-air, facing Endeven and yet still not passing his barrier created via Rend. It would be hard to track her as she maintained such quick motion; she was effectively dodging the initial trajectory of the coin gun by teleporting so swiftly. \n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Vooruit.\" :: •☽```\n\nFrom her new position, the mage was already preparing to teleport yet again, creating another flame and launching it at high speeds Up, over, and around Rend, Weaving its way to Endeven's opposite side in a single instant. Before the mage fell back to the ground, she clapped her hands — fading into smoke and almost immediately changing positions with the flame.\n\nShe manifest just beyond melee-range with the sorcerer, her left index pointed at him and engulfed in mana, as though she were casting a spell—\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"Swap.\" :: •☽```\n\n...A new technique? Her `SOUL` Glittered with the flarings of magic, as though summoning forth yet another technique, and yet—\n\n*It was a feint.\nHer index would likely be the most immediate thing he would take notice of. But behind it, wound back, was her right fist, engulfed in flame, as she stepped forward, Immediately taking a swing straight for his chin." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "I guess we're doing this now.\" He thought to himself as he drew his revolver with precision and speed, in the same swift motion he grabbed 4 rounds off his belt and threw them into the air imbueing them with fire to create makeshift bombs once again. \"Stars down!\" He shouts towards Starbi as he takes aim and small bits of lead and brass fly around due to the makeshift bombs. He takes aim at Sable taking notice of the smoke and positioning, realizing that it was the same look of earlier when Sable teleported into a free fall, William slightly adjusts his aim towards where the smoke was concentrated and just as he thought she appeared just out of hand to hand combat of the other sorcerer, \"Got ya\" He muttered under his breath and with the eyes of a gunfighter, a man of precision and focus as the world seemed to slow down again, he let off 3 rounds.\nBANG\nBANG\nBANG\nThe smell of gunpowder and sulfur filled the air, and the deafening crack of a pistol following behind, he fires off another volley of shots towards his opponent, while expertly and calmly moving into a new position towards Starbi and reloading his pistol as he moved.\nBANG\nBANG\nBANG\nOnly aiming to wound instead of kill the first 3 shots would hit Sable in the right shoulder while the other 3 would impact into her left hip, the two different areas of shot placement making it harder for the sorcerer to dodge. It would only take 0.1 seconds for his bullets to travel the distance between himself and Sable." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "The time draws near.\n\nUsing a form of SOUL transmission, Endeven had alas called upon The Slayer and his wielder, waiting in the shadows of the tunnel for the perfect oppertunity to strike, yet hardly ways away due to the proximity of the positioned wormhole. Sable was evidently preoccupied with a myriad of considerations in the midst of his magical diversion disguised as an onslaught, dividing and exhibiting counters upon counters, before ultimately deciding on an enflamed punch to the chin. In the passing seconds, as her fist, covered in yellow flame, approached the muzzle of an ally, Salhaeja would only enable Ha to attack through his concise, absolute command. It was awfully simple; attack a distracted foe using Double, but it was strategically important that he waited until the best possible second in order to subdue an opponent capable of the feats Sable was— namely her manipulation of movement, paired with amongst other capabilities, at the very least, competent self-awareness, likely magically inclined to some level.\n\n_ _\nHe had come to the conclusion that the fundamental reason as to why Sable was able to so seamlessly dodge Ha's surprise attack, even with her means of teleportation, was because she could conduct SOUL analysis. It was a technique he himself used to have access too some time ago, but no longer, not yet in this form. It only made sense, because predicting and avoiding Distort at point blank range was nearly impossible relative to what she displayed without some sort of outlier contingency. That Had To be the case, and that mattered. He also had to consider if Sable had seen the wormhole in which they intended to coordinate their strike in the first place. . . Although, there was a possible counter for such that could make the fact irrelevant. Could she anticipate this as well? Another perk of executing this with exceptional timing was seeing if she could or couldn't respond appropriately, and then, ideally, identifying why that was. There was still so much to learn and consider about them, and it truly reminded him of how little he knew about human strength compared to Temporal Beasts, despite everything. It was infuriating, not to mention that they certainly wouldn't be the strongest human they'd meet.\n\nNow, however, was no longer the optimal moment for rationalization. The simplicity of a basic attack was not to be understated in-between balance with the complexity of the progressive defeat of this enemy, certainly. The swordswoman, who had idly stood there with her sword readied, allowing Salhaeja to have an open-view of the battle for an extended duration, had not a thought nor concern to raise. A mindless warrior awaiting the orders of a commander, and much like Endeven had informed him to wait on his signal, Sal would do the same to her. He reminded her that the aim was Not To kill, first and foremost." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"PREPARE YOURSELF. PRECISON IS CRUCIAL.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "The words echoed through her mind, as Ha nodded silently for what felt like the hundredth time today, and perhaps the thousandth since she'd returned to this world. They'd gone over what she could and couldn't do during the battle, and she understood it very well, not that it was unusual thus far being a newbie hunter. Her instructions and mild assortment of options were clear and concrete. She had messed up once earlier, and she would much prefer to avoid doing so again. Don't think. Just swing. It was a little perplexing that so much emphasis was being put on this matter considering that this had little to do with their actual goal, but this was the first step, wasn't it? If she couldn't get past this stage of combat, she'd for sure be doomed going forward.\n\nWith that out the way, Salhaeja promptly followed through on his end of their coordinated agreement: Activating Double for the third time this evening, a secondary blade would form directly behind Endeven within a matter of seconds. Thanks to the wormhole, the actual closable distance between them was, technically, not far at all— however, the positioned that Double assumed was critical. It attempted to use the body of Endeven as a blind-spot, and for a specific purpose." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"UPON IMPACT, ATTEMPT TO GRAB THE BLADE.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Instructions would ring in the head of Endeven in that split-second. Double, initially remaining narrow behind Endeven's body as to conceal itself effectively, would swerve right and, through the timing that Salhaeja so coveted, would Come into direct contact with the punch from Sable, turning on a side angle and attempting to use the width of the blades metal to absorb the blow. He was unsure if this would knock the blade away, and the distance if so, but he was certain that it could take a hit like that and sustain itself for a little longer. The instruction to grab it was off his recollection of Sable's ability to physically transport the clone of himself to another place out of combat." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"NOW.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "While that unfolded, Ha practically sprung and leapt from her position through the portal, revealing herself from the comfort of the tunnels to face the enemy. She got to work quickly, utilizing two abilities in succession of one another. Using Condense, she adjusted the sword and Aimed as to fire three projectiles out of the tip of the original blade— and the moment all three exited at 30 MPH toward Sable, she enabled Fog: First Iteration, subsequently overtaking her image and a large chunk of the confined tunnel entrance in a thick, purple smoke That was awfully difficult to see through, even provided methods of illumination. Immediately, she shifted and moved from her initial position to avoid remaining in the same place. To even the odds, she needed her own advantage of movement, and what better tactic then the simple inability to see her? Distort hadn't gone so well, but this was another method. If Condense failed to hit, it was reusable quickly, and a confirmation of the fact she could avoid it." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Protochrome energy quickly spread downward the Double, in the attempt of creating a suspended monochromatic reaction between Sable's fist and the sword's base. This wasn't a regular reaction however, as the monochromate created here, was connecting the two via the fabric of space itself. Another monochromatic reaction happened between Endeven's left hand and the blade, here as well on a spatial level. It was a theory that Endeven had: If Sable became inseparable from Endeven, she would not be capable of teleportation at all or at a limited degree, due to being forced to move him along with her, unless she was capable of simply teleporting away, which also wouldn't be a bad outcome, as Sable's goal was to get close in the first place. It was an 'experiment' of sorts, but if successful, would allow the other participants to strike, while Endeven could keep Sable at bay with the sword at hand. If Sable came too close, Endeven could release the monochromate from his left hand in an attempt to launch the blade into her abdomen with high force.\n\nDuring the festival, Endeven's mana pool had slowly been decreased to its current state of 50%. As the indigo stream of mana reinforcement seemed to die off completely, a new light gleamed up, bright yellow mana sprouting to replace the previously dark counterpart. It was much more lively and beared the refined sharpness of the `SOUL OF JUDGEMENT`, which also became somewhat visible in his eyes and expression. His right arm took on a defensive position, while his left attempted to aim the sword at her body and he was ready to jump out of reach, incase Sable attempted to use the Double against him. Even though in his current situation there was a lack of offensive, this gap was supposed to be filled by the other combatants around. \n ```ini\n[✦ \"Let's finish this quickly. I have more important matters to attend to.\" ✦]\n```" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Gold's focus remains upon the coin; as soon as Sable swapped her position, the coin itself comes face to face with Endeven, about to hit before – pausing, just mere inches away as words ring in Gold's ears, the coin faltering as the Palm Gun Fizzles to life; the man holding it up and preparing a shot should William press further toward Gold himself - coin dropping to the ground for a second as A Mental Lever Long Enough Releases in preparation to either make a defensive move, or to steal the shard away.\n\n\"I can hear you, y'know?\" Gold calls across, preparing himself mentally to defend an attack - this time, not from Sable, but from William should he push his luck. \"Y' tried t' attack me, ya' got ya' ass handed t' ya'!!\" And if William hadn't indeed started the confrontation, none of this would have happened.\n\nAs with before, the presence of Joyful Aura no longer sways Gold in the slightest. \n\n`Him or me.`" }, { "author": "timiette", "message": "Think that's everyone idk" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "You gotta ping prim a couple more times" }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "`Don't fall.`\n\nWhen William's initial volley was fired off, Sable was immediately struck by a single of the bullets. Pain shot throughout her body as she shifted her mana in a single instant; as the hammer struck the primer on the second round in the first volley, Sable had already disappeared. A single flame and a silhouette of smoke lingered where she once was.\n\nIn her haste, she was forced to automatically recall to the position of her most recently-created flame, her eyes opening wide as gravity began quickly to pull down on her. The vast skyline of Sanctum Mesa* Was stretching just ahead of her — *She had teleported to one of the skylights she created to scout out William earlier.\n\n`Don't fall!`\n\n`CLAP.`\n\nIf she had a choice, she would have teleported away from the battle entirely. But now — to avoid building momentum due to gravity — she was forced to immediately teleport back to her former position. Before the smoke even had time to clear, but just after William had fired the third round, Sable re-manifest at her last position. Now behind Endeven, she would effectively be using him as a shield to prevent further fire from the second volley from hitting herself.\n\n`Damned firearm...`\n\nHer fist hits against the blade as her left hand lowered from its feint. Almost immediately recognizing the presence of an outside party, but not reacting completely in time, Sable quickly began to shift her mana's focus, casting a spell as an aureate flame began to engulf the blade.\n\n`Forced teleportation of another object.`\n\n`...Or not?`\n_ _\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"——Wat de h——...\" :: •☽```\nThe spell failed.\n\n`...I'm stuck to him?!\"`\n\nA single blast of Condense* Collides with the thinning shroud of aureate flames guarding Sable's body as she remained in a moment of confusion. Then two, and three, each hitting the general region, staggering her — but not displacing her.\n\n`...It's too much...`\n\nShe takes a sharp breath in, as her focus is broken, her reinforcement weakening. Blood begins to more profusely seep from the bulletholes penetrating her right shoulder and abdominal region.\n\n`...Damn it all! I'll just take him with me!`\n\nHer finger furls into a handsign, as, her and Endeven bound by the suspended monochromatic reaction, are both shrouded by aureate flames, dissipating quickly into smoke." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "\|\|(Read this before\n\n`- -`\nThe two were gone.\n...For all of about ten seconds. \nThen a magic circle — identical to the one that formed a barrier between Sable and Blossom — appeared, depositing Endeven and Sable in almost exactly the same place they departed." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"Geen denken aan...\" :: •☽\n☾• \"Is dit een soort verdraaide grap?\" :: •☽```" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"——Wat de h——...\" :: •☽```\nSeeing how Sable's attempt to teleport failed, Endeven had a short moment of delight, indicated by the cheeky smile that appeared in his face, one that was not to last for very long, as he was engulfed by golden flames shortly afterwards, transported to an unknown corner of the Festival. It seemed, that Sable really was capable of teleporting Endeven even for long distances, or mayhaps this was due to their spatial merge. As he dissipated into smoke, Endeven's smile faded and he clenched his jaw. This meant he was all on his own and thus he prepared a punch to hit Sable's spellcasting hand after they remanifested wherever Sable was taking him. `Disappearance`\n`. . .`\n`Reappearance`* Around 10 seconds after their disappearance they were reintroduced to the fray of the south, as if nothing had happened at the place that they moved to. Endeven's right foot moved upwards before stomping down against the ground, a flash of light appearing from it. ```ini\n[✦ \"I almost feel bad for you.\" ✦]\n``` His foot too was now spatially connected to the ground via monochromate, a flaw in his initial plan, fixed with the goal to make teleportation absolutely impossible for the dutch mage, since Endeven was now connected to the ground. `Let's see how you teleport out of this one.` His right arm returned into the same defensive position as before, while his left was still attempting to keep the sword away from his body, but also trying to guide its end to aim at her left leg. Endeven's right hand was prepared to protect the swords grip from Sable's left with a reinforced punch.\n```ini\n[✦ \"If you want, I can leave like nothing happened here.\" ✦]\n```\nA final offer to Sable, originated from Endeven's pity for the injuries and the funny incident from that parking garage." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Keeping his pistol trained on Sable ready to put a well placed shot into her heart, he stopped when he heard Gold speak. Adjusting his aim to the sound of his voice, William speaks up, \"Oh please. You followed me, I ain't about to be bushwacked by some yellow belly too scared to face me hand to hand. You got something that belongs to me... That blade You got, I earned that in a war, one way or another I'm getting that piece of steel back.\" His voice carried by anger and the smell of sulfur followed his voice. A voice within William that none could hear, a voice from his very own Soul, THEY'RE A THREAT, WE MUST KILL HIM AND THE SORCERER. LET. ME. OUT. As the soul spoke, fire engulfed his body and the smell of sulfur became ever more potent. If one could see his soul then they would see the unstable flame growing brighter and hotter by the second... But just as soon as the flame grew it died down and ashes were what remained. William took a glance towards Starbi before speaking up once again, \"How about we come to a compromise? I saw that tumble you took earlier, you're all worn out and in no condition to fight while I'm still fresh as a daisy.\" His cowboy humor being present despite the tension. \"How about you place that steel on the floor and you walk off, you got my word that I won't follow you. I got my orders but they don't include you. That's the best i can offer.\" His voice calmer than it was before but the smell of sulfur still present in the air around him. He reaches down towards his belt and softly takes 2 shells into his hand as a precaution incase Gold or any others make a move on himself or Starbi." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "The man draws a breath, before letting out a sigh, keeping his eyes trained on William while still being semi-aware of his surroundings. \"Y' pulled a gun on me. That ain't my problem. Gave ya' th' chance t' put it away. Anythin' that happened afta'that? Y' only got ya'self t' blame, 'Pardner'. \"\n\nThe Palm Gun Remains trained; Gold giving William yet another chance to Back off And back away. \"You shoot that gun, th' bullet is gonna block the barrel again, and then ya' gonna have t' fix it again. Then I'll blow ya' kneecaps off.\"\n\n\"Or, ya' put th' gun down, ya' get lost, and we don't hafta' do all that.\"\n\n\"Howzzat sound for a deal? 'Cause if y' shoot...\" A small trickle of electricity, white-golden, arcs and trails itself down Gold's arms \"Then that's 'th' best a' can offa.'\"\n\nGold is not within physical distance of William – not even close. But that pistol...\n\nNo, it's not the best Gold can offer. There's an even better idea available...\n\n`Him or me.`" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Hearing Gold respond, William took a few steps back to adjust his angle, making himself a smaller target and opening up for a clear shot of his own while staying out of the distance that he observed Gold being able to use his magic. If one looked onto his face, what could be seen was a twisted smile. William spoke once again, \"Well, Hell's bells, I was kinda hoping you would say that.\" When he finished the sentence, an unstable flame burst from his hands and engulfed his body. In one swift motion, he threw the two shells into the area that Gold was in, causing an explosion of shrapnel made of brass and lead to fly toward him. Using the distraction of the explosion, he followed closely with a shot from his revolver into the wall nearby, causing a ricochet of the bullet. The flames burned bright, and the smell of sulfur filled everything around. Gold now had two attacks on both sides of him: shrapnel from two explosions and a ricochet bullet on the other side. If Gold was not careful with his next move, the ricochet bullet would enter his left shoulder, and the shrapnel would pierce multiple parts of his body.\n\nBy him using the sound of the explosion to mask the sound of his revolver firing, it would help in the ricochet in hitting due to it being unknown that a pistol was fired" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"'s your funeral.\"\n\nThe very second that the shells leave William's hand, something strange happens.\n\n`Not this time.`\n\nGold had already previously seen William attempt a maneuver similar to this in the Navis Auri. The same trick is not going to work again.\n\nThe shells do travel a short distance, but Gold is still quite far from William. The fact of the matter is that William has not seen Gold's true maximum range on his telekinesis — that being Over 600 feet (200m = ~650ft, or 70ft off of being 2 football fields), and high above the range that someone could realistically pitch. Their last encounters had been very close in range — before they hang in the air, and suddenly drop much closer to William. The bullets, though being two objects, are still immensely light. They do not require much exertion based on the weight. Gold had previously been working using two toonies – coins of similar weight to the rounds that William's revolver utilized – at the same time.\n\nThe rounds drop to the ground; his own technique now being used against him as they're shoved closer to his own feet and the kinesis on them swiftly ends.\n\nGold hadn't even needed to look away from the attack. The gun goes to fire, and–\n\nThe bullet flops onto the ground, plucked out of the air." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Seeing his shells and bullet hit the floor softly, he took a jump back out of its effective blast range, clearly not being the first time he's been around explosions. That same twisted smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth was still present before he spoke again, \"Well, it was worth a try, wasn't it?\" His voice sounded Off. The smell of sulfur was becoming stronger by the second, he softly placed his revolver back into it's holster and spoke once again, \"'s your own funeral\" He said repeating Gold's own words to him in a mocking tone, \"Oh please, I've been dead since 1927.\" He said in that same mocking tone. A flame grew within his left hand, and it began taking shape into a dagger made of brimstone. \"You know, back in the war, after our guns ran dry, we used our blades and clubs. When those broke, we used our hands. Have you ever seen a man cough out his own lungs from mustard gas? Let me tell you, it ain't a pretty sight to see. You learn a thing or two in those trenches, and you ain't got what it takes to live in them.\" He said with a twisted smile, and the blade in his hand gripped tightly. He rushes forward towards Gold, quickly closing the distance between the two, William's form and expertise in hand to hand clearly being visible in his stance and speed. A trail of fire and smell of sulfur followed behind, but so did the screams of thousands of deaths hidden inside the flame could be heard as well. The smell of blood and sulfur followed, and death came with it. This made it clear that it wasn't William in charge of his own body. No, it was his Soul. A soul of pain and anger, war and death." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"Y'ain't know Shit 'bout me, Belloq-\" With a tip of Max's hat using his free hand, Gold begins to float himself - as William closes in, he backs away at a speed of 40.2km/h (25mph), eclipsing William's own running speed \"- or what I've gone through, so keep ya' sentiment t' ya'self!!\"\n\nThe Palm Gun, being previously primed and juiced with Gold's own electricity, sputters to life again \n\nTck-EWWW- Gold readies the powerful blast, staying outside of the effective range of William's hand-to-hand attempt, the smell indeed overpowering; the smoke stinging Gold's eyes. While the correct response may have been to float Up To truly get out of fist-to-fist range, he maneuvered backwards solely for the fact that smoke Rises. To go upwards then, even if momentarily safe, might provide a poor angle later on, or potentially provide Gold with further reduced visibility, especially now that the Smoke May combine with Ha's Fog...\n\n`Ya' overthinkin' it. Focus, K.`\n\nGold moves in accordance to William's own movements, attempting at each possible turn to narrow down the line-of-sight between each current target; of course being William himself, and Sable.\n\nThe combat is indeed a problem, but even still – \n\n`Get the shard, an' get out.`\n\nPFFF- The Palm Gun Fires, attempting to strike William as non-lethally as possible near his Appendix.\n\n`He's lucky there're rules here; done worse fa' less.`" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "William opens his eyes to a starry night, but he wasn't in Unity. No, this was a night he knew all too well, one that replayed in his mind over and over—the night everything changed. A little ranch just north of the border, the year was 1910. William's body moved with expertise, clearing the distance between himself and Gold. But upon seeing Gold begin floating backward and aiming a shot toward his appendix, William's body darted to the right and just as quickly darted left into a zigzag, making himself a harder target. \"The thing I never liked about guns is that one change in angle or small movement can mess up the whole shot. But a blade, you can guide that through skin and bone if needed. You're injured, and you ain't nowhere close to my skill in aim.\" His voice sounded rough and smoky as more sulfur filled the air. As he snaked around with the speed and experience of dodging rounds, William closed the distance faster, readying a slash across Gold's chest. But something new formed in his right hand—a chain made of brimstone and fire that whipped behind Gold, blocking his continued movement backward." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Although William had been approaching, Gold's floating speed far outpaces the gunslinger's own (14mph v 25mph) especially when considering the zig-zagging pattern that William had adopted; the knife connecting is still almost impossible to happen at this rate. The shot from the Palm Gun __does__ miss however, falling just in front of William as Gold fails to lead his shot properly given the distance. No problem.\n\n\nThe chain forms, and as it soars past Gold – `'s an element, can't control that–` he floats upwards, just out of range of the weapon, readying a stream of electricity to fire upon the hand William was using to wield the dagger; [aiming to forcibly contract his assailant's Bicep Towards the chest through the use of electricity.]( \n\n\n`There-` William, like Gold and many others that he himself had experienced today, was Human, or at the very least humanOid, meaning that the metahuman had a great idea of where exactly to shock.\n\n``KrrZZZt–` The electricity fires from the Palm Gun, of which it acts as a sort of range-extender. Not that it would be relevant for it to do so in such an encounter... \n\nWith his free hand, Gold reaches into his Pocket, withdrawing a bag of coins and manipulating the bag in such a way that it opens at the top slightly. An insurance policy." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "[Vel:William began walking through the desert towards the ranch nearby, with each step his clothes changed and shifted to one's he wore when he was young. His spurs jingled with each step and his worn out leather chaps covered his legs from bushes and cactus. In the present, his body continuing its zig zag pattern but upon Gold start floating upwards out of reach of his chain and immediately upon seeing the electricity begin forming around Gold's arm, William took a sudden leap to the right and covered his position with smoke. The brimstone weapons quickly disappeared as smoke covered the whole area where William was present, concealing his true position from his opponent above. While William couldn't beat the speed of his opponent, he did beat him in one aspect. Their reflexes (70ms v 210ms). As the smoke covered the area bringing the smell of sulfur and smoke everything seemed to slow down until 3 blades made of brimstone flew out of the smoke into the direction of Gold, each one moving through the air faster than an average person could've thrown, clearly the expertise of a crack shot who's done this before.\nBANG\nBANG\nSuddenly 2 rounds came flying out of the smoke but something was Different, they were made of Brimstone And they moved faster than the original rounds. Traveling at 850 feet per second it would clear the estimated 30 yards between William and Gold in under, 0.105 seconds, delivering 2 shots into Gold's lower abdomen." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"STOP.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Before the swordswoman could make her next move, she was instructed to halt by her companion, her feet planting themselves within the purple cloud of smoking engulfing the tunnel's entry zone. Something Strange Was unfolding, wasn't it? Ha was by no means capable of sensing the intricacies of magical warfare, but Salhaeja, on the other hand, was searching for something specific in mind. As a matter of fact, he had been the moment he met Endeven— specifically, the very second he knew his Surname, because it belonged to an extremely distant past. Or, maybe not. Prior to any conclusions, this encounter had to dealt with, and even in the midst of being subject to teleportation in his Double Form, he did not panic in the slightest. He was intrigued. Three good hits by Ha using Condense Also pleased him, and he did quickly reassure her that she was doing well, but that wasn't the immediate focus. Her stoppage would only be short-lived, anyway.\n\nThe Slayer, provided two major viewpoints between Double And the original blade as carried by Ha, was direct witness to what took place between Endeven and Sable. It seemed that, in its quickness and from what he could tell transpired. . . The former was able and had intention to subdue the latter's teleportation abilities with a technique, which is why Condense Landed so seamlessly in the first place. She had tried to remove the second blade from the equation once again, but failed— and in her apparent panic, decided the best course of action was to take herself and Endeven away. Did his plan falter, then? Was there an unseen counter to his apparently temporary disabling of her affinity?\n\n_ _\n. . .They were back here. Ignoring how vexing it was that Another Teleport user was present here, Endeven was able to swiftly recover himself and put Sable in a highly disadvantageous situation using further leveraged magical techniques, if not outright declaring their victory provided no blunders are committed. It was surprising that Sable was disallowed to vacate the premises considering that in these circumstance, it was a perfectly viable resolution when being severely outnumbered— but that wasn't to dismiss their strategic success, and she was physically damaged significantly anyhow. Taking what you can get against an opponent like her is smart pickings: a powerful Irritant. Of course, Salhaeja had a few questions based on what he'd seen— because in many ways, it wasn't what he'd expected— but first, he had his own obligations to take care of. What's that human saying he'd heard earlier. . . Don't want to leave Endeven 'hanging', was it? He seemed extremely confident all of the sudden, of which could be debated considering there was an aspect of luck involved, but he did nonetheless have identifiable counters working in his favor, including but not limited to Ha. Speaking of which. . .\n\nIt was night time. She hadn't noticed till now how dark it was, really.The moonlights illumination would make it easier to see how pathetic she would or wouldn't be in this moment.\n\nHa shifted from her halted position the instant Salhaeja spoke again, anticipating his command in a perhaps slightly ill-advised, but nonetheless correct way. She knew precisely where End and Sable was from all the noise they made relative to her extremely keen senses. Don't fail. The swordswoman knew that Sal would ultimately leave her exact maneuver up to her wits and instincts alone, but she did manage to communicate that there was something she needed him to help her with as part of her approach. The attack itself would be simple in nature, but it required a level of precision that someone who lacks Sight May be susceptible to missing their mark, even with as much as that was remedied in her combat state Not that it was impossible, but better to go about it this way. He agreed.\n\n``Do this, Sal. You will see.``\n\nIronically, Ha decided to do something not unsimilar to what had gotten her into this very situation; discovering a left-side wall in the midst of her self-created fog that was approximate enough to Endeven and Sable for this maneuver including the required duration of time, she bolted, leaping upwards using her momentum, and then pushed herself against the surface of said wall using her legs— thus propelling her body into the air, towards the position of her ally and enemy. She kept her blade in her grip as she catapulted forward. Her other move put her into a bad spot, but this would, in concept, lead to the final blow.\n\nNot yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. . .\nThe swordswoman, whilst accelerating in the air, swift and yet mindful of her shorter window steadily lifts her original blade up, having her arm cocked slightly backwards. It's Handle Was facing forward, as opposed to its pointed end, and it seemed as if she was waiting on command." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"THROW.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ha Hurls the blunt end of her blade's handle with all of her viable strength at the precise moment where it land on target with Sable's head, exactly thrown to where Salhaeja said it would've been relative to her position, hence his involvement. It'd have a decent level of force considering she was a little stronger in this state then she normally was, but it wasn't her central attack.\n\nSal had two viewpoints to confirm the hit, and that wasn't all— mere seconds later within quick succession, her image promptly appeared from the veil of fog surrounding Endeven and Sable. The first and hopefully last thing Sable would see was the base of the swordswoman foot, before Making direct impact with her temple after the original blade had fallen— in other words, she kicked her in the head. The thrown blade was meant to as more of a distractive measure and stun mechanism, whereas the immediate, subsequent kick was supposedly the finishing blow that would contain Considerably More power in it between using her leg muscle and the added velocity of her descent. Ideally, this would render her unconscious, but she had to be ready for anything otherwise— in the event this Was Successful, she would land a few meters behind Sable's body, catching herself as to land in control without much trouble." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "The sorcerer's total mana input had died down greatly from the beginning of the fight following her several injuries. Merely to prevent herself from bleeding more than she already had, she was expending roughly forty percent of her reinforcement output on blocking up the two direct hits that William had landed with his firearms, her focus clearly drawn thin as she gazed down on the slayer's blade, bound forcibly to her hand.\n\nShe took a sharp breath in as she hard Endeven's offer, one of her golden eyes peering sharply toward the Cantum mage's own, her other closed — she seemed to be scouting someplace, somewhere lse, through the extension of her senses via her technique. However, seeing as any attempt to even try and teleport would fail due to Endeven, Sable, and part of the Ground beneath them* Being considered one-and-the-same object, she seemed to relinquish some deal of effort, exhaling deeply out.\n\n`\"Fffft...\"`\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"...All right...\" :: •☽```\n\nNow, Ha's weapon was close in approach.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"I give up.\" :: •☽```" }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"...𝙩𝙨𝙠.\"```\n\nLight flares in the darkness and the smoke, as a magical circlet creates a divide between Ha's sword and Sable's head. Consequently, her followup — the kick — would be blocked, both attacks nullified just in time. The participant of the Hunt had tapped out, and now it was finally time for the arbiter to show his face, fully.\n\nA two-meter-wide magical circle breaks into existence as a well-dressed, blonde-haired, suited man steps forth from it, manifesting out of a single long stride from the arcane geometry of the hovering, two-dimensional surface, perpendicular to the ground.\n\n```\n\"That's enough,\" he said with a slight sigh, his hands still in his pockets. With a gesture of his hand, a precise wave of mana was used to clear the purple smoke in his immediate proximity, freeing Endeven, Sable, Ha (most likely) and himself to see one-another.\n\"She's done. Step back.\"```\n\nSomething evidently bothering him, the man remained closed-eyed with his brow furrowed lightly, as he stuck his right hand into his pocket, withdrawing a phone — an IPhone 37™️ — as he lazily tapped through it with one hand.\n\n```\n\"Let's see... I got that nun's contact info, right...?\"```" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "The distance between the pair was still sizable, and thus serviceable – at least for the first attack.\n\nThe smoke expands outwards; there is a small window of time, no matter how miniscule, before the knives are launched. \n\nSeeing them fly outwards all at once, Gold reflexively takes the rightmost knife telekinetically and swings it into the oncoming blades, knocking the blades into one another and veering them wholly off course while immediately Switching direction In regards to his flying pattern; choosing to move sharply left, up and Back Further. If William were to base his shots off of Gold's previous whereabouts or movement and attempt to track accordingly, the bullets would not hit or come close to hitting. \n\n`'s 3 bullets gone.`\n\nHaving smoked himself off, William is in the dark as to Gold's whereabouts; realistically, Gold could be anywhere in front or to the side of him right about now...\n\nA coin lifts itself out of the ziploc bag, flying towards the right and remaining well-outside of William's smoke; immediately turning to provide a ricochet angle.\n\nTck-eWWW–\n\nPFF- \n\nThe Palm Gun Fires, with both sounds coming from William's Left. Yet, the shot comes from his Right, aiming at a general area based on where the Knives Had come from and intentionally going Wide So as to hopefully disorient and trick William into dodging a blast that had Originated From his left, but instead shot entirely to his Right. Gold immediately repositions himself once again; the coin, upon the ricochet, would immediately move as well." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "As the sounds of the Palm Gun echo from his left, William's instincts screamed at him to move, but the seasoned fighter knew better than to trust only his ears. The scent of sulfur and the thick smoke cloud he made allowed him a momentary veil as he pieces together Gold's strategy. William remains eerily still amidst the chaos, a move against his nature, but necessary against a cunning foe. Knowing Gold's use of misdirection, William does not dart towards the sound but instead waits, his eyes narrowing as he takes the true origin of the threat. The shot indeed comes from his right, confirming his suspicion. With an agile sidestep, he avoids the energy blast, the heat brushing past him close enough to singe the edge of his coat. \"Nice try, partner,\" William's voice rings out, slightly hoarse from the smoke but tinged with amusement. \"But I've danced with the devil under moonlight darker than this. Gonna take more than parlor tricks to put me down. Hell, I'm the one who perfected this.\" His voice echoed throughout the smoke, making it unable to give his location. The smoke glowed with burning embers giving a soft, gentle hue of orange and red but concealing what was hidden inside. The smoke began to grow larger and pushed itself towards Gold, obscuring his opponent visions even more. Watching the shadows from his position within the smoke, William adjusted his aim towards the silhouette of Gold, and with a deep breath squeezed the trigger.\nBANG\nAs the bullet traveled through the air, it glowed an intense flame, flying at a speed of 920 feet per second, it would only take 0.09 seconds to travel the distance and break any barrier in its way. Something was different about this round once again, the round seemed to move in a straight trajectory but infact it would shift and change if Gold moved. Suddenly 2 more blades shot out from the smoke, their edges glowing a hot flame.\n\nIf the attacks hit then Gold would be stuck in the right shoulder by the bullet and both blades would enter his lower body." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "The smoke around William was thick and dense; as it expands outwards, Gold is still able to keep well outside of it. The little bits that Did Reach stung his throat and choked the surrounding air for the two of them.\n\nIn that cloud – that filthy, husky, polluting cloud – was a silhouette. A silhouette of a target that Gold could easily Hit. The coin that had served as a ricochet angle just moments prior remained on standby, as Gold suddenly moves Forward A bit, keeping the 30 yards between the pair rock-solid, as he launches his-\n\nBANG-VWOOSSH\n\n`—-`\n\nThkkkkrrrr- Something swiftly collides into Gold's shoulder as the Coin __itself__ Is thrown at the same time; aiming for William's Stomach. At the range the pair were at, it would hopefully be _Just_ fast enough for William to be unable to muster a reply to at a speed of 750mph, taking 0.08 seconds to reach its target. One fast enough for William to certainly see coming, but with only 3 milliseconds total left to spare, and a barely audible, much less Visible Projectile — owing its obscurity to William's own smoke —, Gold himself would be momentarily unable to visually confirm that his own projectile had landed and they had traded shots.\n\nThe force of the bullet lodges itself into Gold's shoulder as he temporarily loses control of his telekinesis, leaving the coin to continue its sharp forward momentum towards William and causing him to drop down to the ground as he processes exactly what had just occurred. The knives, having been aimed originally for a much higher target, and one whos body had not immediately twisted and contorted from the impact of the bullet, soar entirely overhead as he lets out a gasp, left arm instinctively moving to cover the bullet wound in his shoulder as his grasp on his coin baggie loosens, but doesn't entirely let Go; the bullet was successful in hitting its designated target.\n\n_ _\nPurple liquid begins to flow outward from the wound as Gold grits his teeth, letting out a low growl as he gazes towards his opponent.\n\n\"I'm gonna __gut__ you like a fuckin' fish, _'pardner'_.\" He manages to bark out, tone swiftly turning from the version of himself that had been wholly uninterested in acting in anything but self-defense against the gunslinger to one that made evident his now overflowing animosity; anger and impatience that had been brewing, festering, and bubbling just beneath the surface finally showing itself." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "As Gold hit the ground, within the smoke, a grunt could be heard clearly one from an impact. Suddenly, the smoke between the two began to clear, but the smoke surrounding the two became thicker, and sulfur continued to fill the air. Standing now in the open space, William bled through his shirt, but it seemed to have no effect on the veteran. He stood with a twisted smile, \"Now there's that Anger. That's what I've been looking for.\" His voice sounded Joyful. He then began to walk forward towards Gold, and as his blood fell, it burned and fizzled as it hit the ground. With each step, the sulfur around him burned, and in a blink of an eye, fire surrounded the two. \"You know. You're a tricky shot. I think this might be the most fun I've had in a long time.\" A hint of what seemed to be respect was in the voice. \"But you have something of mine and something that belongs to a comrade.\" He raised his pistol and aimed a clean shot at Gold's head. His thumb reached up and cocked back its hammer. He stood calm, his eyes full of precession. \"Bang,\" That twisted smile remained on his face as he spoke those words.\n\n.\n.\n.\nSuddenly, out of the flames came two coyotes made of brimstone. They jumped out the flame with speed to grab the bayonet and hat off Gold. It carried the object through the flame towards William, a third, more larger, coyote appeard infront of Gold, it's fur made of fire and brimstone eyes stared at Gold. The coyote snarled it's feral teeth showing ready to bite Gold if he attempted anything. William with gun still trained on Gold, took the bayonet and placed it back it it's sheath on his belt, taking Max's hat, he put it into his satchel. He turned around and walked into the smoke, the coyote still snarling it's teeth at Gold. The smoke around William became thicker, hiding his position from anyone looking in. The fire died down and hidden inside the smoke, William dropped down to his knee, the strain of using so much magic clearly showing. He took his tie off to bandage his wound and quickly used the smoke to hide his entry into the metro station, he grabbed starbi before entering, \"C'mon, I need some help.\" His voice a soft whisper still hiding his position." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "The hammer, with William's finger on it, suddenly freezes; an immense amount of force fighting against him, Not Threatening to yank the gun out of his hand, but to instead force the gun to remain uncocked.\n\n`Double-action.`\n\nThe trigger is attached to the hammer. \n\nHe moves swiftly upwards, disallowing the coyotes from grabbing anything off of him and keeping the gun stuck as Gold Himself Begins closing distance towards William as fast as he can, eyes brimming with anger as his tired, strained fingers clutch harder onto the bag of coins.\n\n`Him or me. Going to make a mural out of his entrails.`\n\nHe had seen many animals in his life. Coyotes aren't scary. Elephants are, though. Nothing quite like an elephant suddenly appearing in your room and pancaking you against the wall accidentally.\n\nThe smoke consumes William's whereabouts, and as Gold advances, the smog retreats.\n\nWilliam is Moving away.\n\n\"Who's the coward now, fuckface??\" Gold yells, the middle finger of the Palm Gun Raising slightly from its grip on his shoulder as the gunslinger shuffles away in attempt to flip him off.\n\nGold drops back down to the ground, hat and bayonet still in his possession as he looks to his belt. \"Holy fuckin'..-\" He gasps as the adrenaline that had previously alleviated some of his pain slowly begins subsiding. Selecting a light blue crystal from his utility — one of the very rare times he had gotten his hands on _Ice_ courtesy of his sister's boytoy — and sliding it into the Palm Gun's Activator slot.\n\n\nFssHHHck- A cool, numbing sensation trails itself across his shoulder. Better than nothing for the time being.\n\n`'m gonna kill that cowboy.`\n\nGold slowly shuffles his way over to the rest of the group, letting out a few breaths as he takes note of their situation\n\n_ _\n\"Y' - ya' stopped Fightin'?\" He asks, looking between the magicians, whoever the new guy was, and the swordswoman. \"'ey, pretty boy...\" Gold speaks softly towards Fyodor, a bit worn out from his fresh encounter, and accompanied with an equally worn out smile.\n\n`Shard...` Maybe this means... \n\nA Mental Lever Long Enough Engages, lazily trying once more to tug the shard away from Sable's shoulder." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Just like before, and up untill now, Starbi remained at the sidelines, along with Blossom, as he watched the combatants battle it out. Endeven standing victorious against his battle with Sable, and, well- William... Standing victorious against Gold.\n\nHowever, during the fight between the two gunslingers, at a specific moment nearing the end. Starbi had sensed a change in William, perhaps it was something only someone like him could've noticed. At the end, those words... They sounded happy, but it felt tainted, it felt sick. It wasn't the burning fight, or the appearances that stuck to Starbi to most, it was that bitter joy he had sensed. \n\nBecause of the sound of that bitter joy, a single drop of doubt plagued Starbi's mind for a few moments, and then, he began to feel nervous, if not... Scared? But, that feeling was quickly swept away, he was being ridiculous, he just needed to calm down. However, he was a bit oblivious, his eyes averted away from everything from his moment of dread, resulting in him ending up distracted, if dazed from the end of the battle.\n\n```\"C'mon, I need some help.\"```\n\n\"Huh-\"\nThe voice of William, as well as the grip of Starbi's arm then broke Starbi out of his daze, blinking, Starbi's eyes looked to William bringing him back down to the metro.\n\"Oh, uhh... Yeah, sure!\" \nStarbi spoke with a signature tone of joy with no second thoughts to what William had asked of him, looking back at those above the metro before, hearing Gold call out to William, before making it down to the metro. As they made it down to the metro, Starbi glanced at William, looking at the blood on his shirt, as well as ;\n\"Uh, are you gonna be okay, William?\"\nStarbi asked, his eyes on the blood now looking at Willaim." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\"—\"`` The swordswoman was quick to react to the nullification of her initial attack, hearing the distinct clang Salhaeja's vessel bang against the ground from the preventive force of the magic circle. In this realization, she managed to stop herself moments before landing the intended kick, instead shifting her body as to land and adjust herself gracefully on the ground, immediately entering a combative position. She held her hand out in obvious effort to recall her weapon, and the blade did return to her grasp. It glowed a bright purple hue alongside her damaged glasses, but—" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"HALT NOW. THIS RODENT IS NOT OUR ENEMY.\"\n```\nThe Slayer said, his voice particularly filled with an audible, clear growl and disgust through words in reaction to what he'd just seen unfold." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Salhaeja was most evidently displeased, but not with Ha herself, naturally. For one, he was vexed that Fyodor once again involved himself in this battle, presumably acting upon the arbitrary rules of this Koi Hunt that, as far as he knew, were not explicitly stated (hence his angered use of the term 'rodent'). Perhaps it was true that without his unannounced intervention, their well executed plan may've backfired given that Sable Was Technically able to feasibly remove herself via teleportation— but even so, he would've rather won or lost under fair circumstances alongside Endeven. Luck was Not An acceptable nor sustainable measurement of success, especially when it came to the dangers of what his goals— and hers, of course— exactly were. The entire purpose of this was to see if this ally of theirs was capable, including for some reasons unstated, and now, the results were tainted. It was hard to say if he was more irritated with the fact that their victory was achieved by outside intervention, or that said outside intervention existed in the first place. The man was Hardly A professional based on his base demeanor. However, none of that compared to the more pressing issue for him. It's what he hated to see more then anything in the world.\n\n_ _\nHa absently stood as the man's words rang aloud, as well as Endeven removal from his spell and landing. She titled her head downwards, as if to face the floor, untensing from her combative position, and there was, in the slightest observation, the faintest frown on her face. She was upset, because she believed she had failed. No, she Did Fail, even if Sable gave up. Her move didn't register, and regardless of why, that was the fact of the matter, the second time of which it was to be clear. Her grip on her sword loosened so much that it nearly slipped from her hands, feeling a sense of dread that Salhaeja had no choice but to share to some extent as part of her essence. An uncomfortable feeling. \n\nFor a girl that showed and/or had no emotion whatsoever in a perceptualized state, there was an indication that she was considerably dejected at this result, not to mention that she essentially thought Salhaeja's anger was directed at her. It wasn't about some kind of honor or conviction, either; she just wanted to prove herself, and she didn't. This Is what disturbed him, for reasons beyond anyone's understanding but his own. It was all so complicated, and yet so simple. She could put it into words, but understanding it in full was impossible. The great qualms of human resurrection, and if she was going to do this— not just today, but in General— this obstacle would have to be surpassed at some point. \n\n``I. . . Did the attack right. I didn't. . .?``" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\". . .NO, NO. YOU DID WELL. THE BLAME IS MINE. DO NOT FAULT YOURSELF, MY WARRIOR.\"\n```\nComing from the voice of a ghostly, not quite restful spirit entrapped within a sword for the rest of eternity, there was a certain softness and remorse in his tone as he said this that was unusual for him. 'My warrior' was certainly a choice of address." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Ridiculous. All this strife and effort over subduing an opponent that hardly mattered to them in the grand scheme of their presence here. It was indeed his fault, though, because he was the one who told her to take the Koi, and the one who had a cherished desire to return it to its owner— that rancid farm animal— once done as some sort of sentimental bid. He was foolish, selfish, and his justification of this being an acceptable test for his wielder was equally self-centered. Ironically, in trying to dispel notions of what he once was, he was acting exactly as he did before, when he was. . . Different, unspeakably so. His actions had consequences, and the worst sort, because it was hurting her again. Those faint moments where Ha was able to smile. . . They were the ones he cherished, and in contrast, moments like this is what he dreaded. An unfeeling woman's sorrow pertaining to the only thing that gave her purpose. That wretched fish. . . It seems, he was too consumed by his own self-disappoint to even consider the certain strangeness of Fyodor that was otherwise somewhat apparent. To put it in human understanding— at least they won, right?\n\n_ _\nWhere Is That vile goat, anyway? Kuouo must've had some sort of improved sense of smell given his bodily structure. Surely, that dueling event he joined must've had some sort of intermission by now, no? The gunshots were an obvious indicator of their location, if needed. The issue of Gold and William, meanwhile, had come to an unclear stalemate, as the latter had fled the scene along with Starbi, whereas the former was sneaking behind Sable during Endeven's tending for whatever selfish reason that didn't interest him. By now, Double had dissipated, and Fog had cleared out of the tunnel entrance. The tides had calmed down. He thought back to the battle, and how Endeven had praised Sable— to which he had a point in doing so, in fairness. True, he found her irritating and self-centered by nature, but he had to acknowledge her circumstances and skill.\n\nThe Dutch mage was indeed greatly outnumbered and outmatched, and Still Would've put herself in good position to win hadn't Fyodor became involved. Add on the nature of this ploy, and clearly she fought best she could. She was a pest, too, but an impressive one no less. Normally, he would've told Ha to bow in respect to their opponent, but it didn't feel right this time. If anything, it was him who should've bowed. That being said, there were still numerous things that had to get settled, but relinquishing this target on Ha's back was the priority. He had no right to subject her to this anymore, nor was it conducive to their mission. Hopefully, conquering That— in other words, the only thing that mattered— would make her forget about this, although she probably would regardless. Thankfully, her memory wasn't so good." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"Yes, hello. This is Fyodor speaking,\" the man said, the call having gone through.\n\"Yes. Inner Management.\" \n\"Yes. I need you to put me through to somebody——\" he spoke, his brow furrowing as his sentence was interrupted by a closeby gunshot.\n\"...The... Healer. She's...\" ——BANG.\n\"...Yeah, her.\"```\n\nFyodor's brow remained furrowed as he muted the phone's microphone, folding his left arm under his right as he tapped his foot against the ground, waiting, and still clearly annoyed. In addition to whatever was bothering him to begin with, the addition of the intermittent, ringing gunshots brought him slight annoyance. A small wait later, someone seemed to return on the other end, and the blonde-haired man unmuted the call.\n\n```\n\"Hello. Are you free?\" \n\"I need to borrow you,\" he continued rather forthrightly, flinching subtly as the monochromatic reaction was released. \"—Where are you now?\"\n\"—I see. I'll pick you up.\"```\n\nBEEP.\n\nThe phone was slipped back into his pocket." }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Fffft...\" :: •☽\nThe black-robed sorceress took another deep breath, now focusing the whole of her mana on preventing further bleeding.\n☾• \"...Perception, teleportation, reinforcement...\" :: •☽ \nShe turned to Endeven, sitting upright, her hand resting over the wound by her waist.\n☾• \"Endurance——reinforcement——is what I have dedicated a third of my life to learning.\" :: •☽ \n☾• \"I would have lasted longer. Longer if...\" :: •☽```\n\nSable's eyes, still flickering with the figments of light-yellow mana, peered toward Fyodor. She stopped her words as she began to glare, harshly.\n\n```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Why?\" :: •☽```" }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "Already beginning to cast another spell — creating a magical circle that seemed to serve as a spatial gateway — Fyodor spared her little more than a downward gaze, his eyes barely even opening in acknowledgement." }, { "author": "- \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Verdomde indringer...\" :: •☽\n☾• \"Bemoei je er niet mee.\" :: •☽```" }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "Fyodor's spell was already finalized, his hand beginning to poke through the two-dimensional circlet that bridged himto another point in Sanctum Mesa. \n\n```\n\"Maar het is wél mijn zaak.\"```\n\n—yet he responded almost immediately to Sable's statement in the same language, spoken with such smoothness and clarity that it sounded as though it were one of his more fluent.\n\n```\n\"Voor wat het waard is, ik heb niets tegen jou.\"\n\"Het is gewoon...\"\n\"...Zaken.\"```\n\nOne leg already through the portal, he looked over his shoulder as Gold arrived.\n\n`Ah... It's... Him.`\n\n```\n\"Don't do that.\"\n\"Just stay right there and wait your turn.\"```\n\nHe warned simply about his attempt to take the shard.\nWith a step forward, Fyodor disappeared, the magic circle remaining suspended in-place.\n\n`- -`\n\nThirty seconds pass, and Fyodor returns — but he is not the first to emerge from the magic gate. Rather, a classically-dressed young woman is, her head half-covered by a veil typical of clergywomen. Brunette hair extended in gentle waves along her brow, the sister smiling awkwardly as Fyodor introduced her, guiding her through the magic circle by pushing her lightly below her shoulders.\n\n```\n\"This is Sister Carleo,\" the blonde-haired man spoke, his head just now emerging from the other side of the magic circle. His eyes were still closed as he addressed the group.\n\"She will be assisting the injured.\"```" }, { "author": "Lucia, \"della Grazia\"", "message": "\"Please,\"\n\"Just Lucia* Is fine.\"\n\nShe smiled, her hands folded by her waistline. Her voice was soft, though with a subtle stress upon it that made her seem somewhat uneasy — or perhaps confused — about what was going on. Nonetheless, she smiled with a small greeting.\n\n\"Good evening.\"\n\nGently kneeling by the Dutch sorceress' side, Lucia folded her hands in prayer, an auric warmth soothing the former's wounds. Melodic prayers proceeded forth from the sister's lips as the formative incantations that brought forward a healing spell — the telltale signs one was a member of the Vicariate." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "With a motion of his finger, the magical circle that served him as a spatial gateway now collapsed, disappearing into flickering white light. He folded his hands behind his back.\n\n```\n\"Let's start with something simple.\"\n\"I apologize for intervening in your battle. Still, I can't tell you why I did.\"\n\"Just know that it wasn't on a whim.\"```\n\nFyodor paced past Lucia and Sable, walking just beyond the shard, which now hovered at the center of the group — Ha, Endeven, Sable, and Gold together.\n\n```\n\"I'm conducting business on behalf of the O.S.A. For Inner Management, particularly. Let's call it... A small inquisition.\"```\n\nHis left hand came ahead of himself as he motioned a circle with his index finger, mana channeling as he did so. Yet no spell's effect was visibly manifest.\n\n```\n\"Still, there's the matter of the...\"\n\"...𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥, I could call it.\"\n\"It will go to the person last in contact with the participant who held it when she forfeitted.\"\n\"Put simply, that's you, purple-hair,\" he motioned at Endeven. \"Go ahead and take it.\"```\n\nAnother motion of his hand, as white mana begins to flicker—\n`tssskch`\n—before streams of pale-blue mana coiled about his fingers: a rejective force applied like small cracks of electricity buzzing against his hand.\n\n\n`...Tch. Still...?`\n\n```\n\"And you,\" he motioned to Ha, \"I would offer you my gratitude if you would continue business-as-usual.\"\n\"Just pretend I was never here,\" he gestured. \"And for you, he motioned to Sable, \"I'll offer you something... Much more valuable.\"\n\n\"Any questions? Problems, maybe...?\" Fyodor questioned, though his left eye opened in slight as he gazed with a subtle pressure toward the group — as though he were suggesting there 𝘸𝘢𝘴 no 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 here.```" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Gold lets out an aggravated breath, still clutching his shoulder as the Palm Gun Continues dispensing a soothing sensation onto the wound. Not enough to mask it by any means, but any relief is better than no relief. \n\n\"Shard...\" He speaks, tone gruff and reiterative of what he wanted to achieve, speaking in a very simple manner towards the rest of the group. \"All I want is th' shard, and'll be outta' ya' hair... Don't even gotta use ya'....\" A weak motion towards Lucia and whatever she seemed to be doing to Sable \"...... Whateva' that is..\"\n\nStill frustrated overall from the encounter having pulled him away from the shard, he glances at Endeven, eyes silently backing up his intent to possess the shard. \n\n\"Please.\" He says, accompanying it with a low, pained growl — not one of malice, but one born out of his overall poor condition — towards Endeven. \"Jus' want th' shard...\"\n\n\"... Cool hair color...\" A bit airy now as Gold points to his own hair. They both have ourple hair isnt that cool" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Endeven pulls out a honeybun and quasar-microwaves it until it is set ablaze. He then throws it at the homeless beggar approaching him." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Despite struggling to keep himself fully conscious, Gold manages to worm his way closer, yet closer towards the group, letting out pained groans with each step forward; coming within a respectable amount of personal space from him and the others." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Taking into the Metro, William was stuck in his thoughts until Starbi asked if he was gonna be okay. \"Huh? Oh, this little thing.\" He looked down at the spreading blood stain on his shirt before looking back up at Starbi and continuing, \"I've had worse, but I got orders from Athena. She said that y'all found the Koi fish here and she told me to protect it. I got a bit carried away back there and in no condition to track or get into a long fight again. I need you to show me where y'all found that Koi, if need be I can get into another scrap but if it's alright with you, I'll need some rest.\" His voice sounded pained but still determined to execute his orders despite the toll his body has already. He then placed his arm around Starbi and placed some of his weight onto him, still ready to draw his guns if need be but for now placing some trust into Starbi. \"Lead the way. I'll be right here catching my breath.\" He said as he placed his hat on Starbi's head to clear his vision a bit and make it more comfortable to lean onto his comrade." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "As the Double faded, Endeven was left with monochromate in his left hand aswell now. He merged both monochromates in his right hand and stored it in his robe, attaching it between his upper back and its fabric. When Fyodor told him to take the shard, Endeven immediately nodded and approached the shard amidst the group. As he reached out his hand, he heard Gold's begging for the shard - an item he himself had very little interest about. Endeven hadn't even known about the shards presence until he was made aware of it by Fyodor just now. The sorcerer stopped their motion and gave Gold the time to speak. For around five more seconds after his statement about their alike hair color, Endeven stared at Gold without words.\n```ini\n[✦ \"The shard? If you want it, you can have it.\" ✦]\n``` \nHis hand touched the levitating shard and he snapped his fingers at it, causing the glowing crystal to hover towards Gold. Endeven concluded that there was nothing he could ask for in return for the shard. Besides not caring much for it, Endeven was already occupied and did not want to fight this man over this meaningless item. He was sure that Gold would attack him sooner or later if he did keep the shard, considering that he did the same for Sable too. Endeven now returned to Ha, in order to ask her for about their next course of actions, paying little attention to Fyodor. Although he considered communicating to Fyodor about the foretold future from the metro, Endeven ultimately decided that it would be more fruitful to investigate the roaming soul of chaos, than trying to converse with a high member of the O.S.A.\n```ini\n[✦ \"Now that the fight is finished, what shall we do next? Locate and investigate the soul?\" ✦]\n```\nHe was hinting at that soul of chaos that he had mentioned earlier, but did not want to refer to it like that it in the presence of Fyodor. The O.S.A member was a bother to him and at the current moment Endeven desired to move to some place away from Fyodor, Lucia, Gold, Sable and William. Starbi would have been left behind sooner or later too. Then there was also Blossom, whom he wanted to bring along aswell, since that was what he called them for. But.. Where is Blossom?" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "As the two had been walking through the metro, Starbi was now walking alongside William instead of being dragged by him at a decent pace. He wouldn't walk faster or slower than William due to William's noticeable fatigue from his battle with Gold. Now with the two alone, away from the rest, they would be surrounded by the looming silence of the metro, not a hint of sound besides the footsteps of Starbi and William echoing throughout.\n\nThe sounds of footsteps were then accompanied by the gravel-like voice of William, who then responded to Starbi's concerns with the addition of his reasons for coming to the south of the Sanctum Mesa, to find the Koi Fish. Starbi looked at William, and then down at his shirt which was soaked with drying blood. Starbi's face was painted with uncertainty.\n\nStarbi then felt William put his arm around Starbi, as he then felt weight added to him, Starbi steadied himself as his left leg angled to support him and William for a small moment before Starbi began to stand properly once again. Starbi then put his arm around William for more stability between the two,\n```\n[☆ \"Well, if you say so— but, William. I don't think the koi fish is here.\" ☆]\n```\n\nStarbi commented; at first, he didn't trust William's nonchalance towards the blood much, but the best Starbi could do was keep his eyes on William so his condition wouldn't get any worse. In addition, Starbi was confused by the orders given to Athena, he was under the impression that the koi fish was in the hands of Emily from what Endeven told him, but then it was taken somewhere else.\n```\n[☆ \"I thought the orange haired girl had it with her. I don't think we should get in her way, she got it fair and square.\" ☆]\n```\nStarbi thought that he and William should just go find Athena and Max, maybe they all should take it easy for a bit, and let people like Endeven handle whatever threat mentioned before, he had Blossom and Ha on his side, so Starbi figured he'd be fine without extra help. But at the same time, Starbi turned his head to the exit of the metro, he then let out a faint sigh of guilt, just hoping that Endeven would be okay." }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Blossom mentioned? Where is Blossom?" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Feeling Starbi's arm wrap around his body for stability, his body seemed to grow stiff. Wordlessly, William reached up with his right hand and moved Starbi's arm away. It was clear that William wasn't used to this, and a moment of silence was between the two. \"Look, Starbi, I have my orders. I don't want the fish myself. All my orders are to protect the fish, not take.\" His voice sounded serious but also gentle. He then continued, but his voice sounded concerned, \"You okay? Up there, it took you a bit to realize I was there. What's up with you?\" He looked at his comrade, his eyes softened now, something William hasn't done in years. \"How about this. You talk, and I talk. You ask me questions and I'll answer truthfully, same goes to you.\" William having more than one reason for this. His voice sounded genuinely concerned, but one question remained in his head: Why do I care for him?" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"Thhhnnaanngghhh ya'....\" A weak attempt at a 'thank you' towards the magic wielder as A Mental Lever Long Enough Comes into contact with the floating shard; it being freed from the mage's possession willingly by the other party. \n\nIndeed, Gold would have likely licked his wounds before attempting to track down Endeven to take back the shard. Beaten, shot, and bruised, Gold attempts to simply Walk off With the shard, blood still oozing from the wound, as though it were just a scratch. A brave face, or something of the sort.\n\n\"Hhmghhh...\" He groans, attempting to trek back towards the middle of the event in hopes of finding Medeian food; it has healing qualities, right?" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "With Starbi turning his head as he continued walking, he could sense from his upper arm that William's body had stiffened a few seconds after he put his arm against William, leaving Starbi's pace to halt for a moment, watching William removing Starbi's hand around him. Starbi's expression remained neutral as he kept his eyes on William, he thought that maybe William didn't like how Starbi put his arm around him. William then spoke in response to Starbi's mention of Emily and his reluctance to approach Emily for the koi fish, had it not been for the koi fish as the supposed main objective, he would happily come along to see her again. \n```\n[☆ \"Ah, well– I guess I can't argue with that!\" ☆]\n\n```\nStarbi commented with a casual smile, accommodating to William's mission, it was better to just go along with it, it wasn't going to be bad, they were, including Starbi, only just going to protect the koi fish. The two began to walk in the metro again with Starbi looking forward once more, only now that Starbi's pace had slowed slightly out of concern for William due to him not wanting Starbi's arm around him. The Starborn turned his head towards William when he asked Starbi a question, specifically what was up with Starbi. As William spoke, Starbi grew a bit confused. Starbi didn't think that something was wrong, he seemed to be fine so far, he wasn't hurt yet, nor was he upset in any way.\n```\n[☆ \"Oh, I'm fine, William. \" ☆]\n[☆ \"I didn't think I looked like it, sorry about that!\" ☆]\n\n```\n\nStarbi apologised, following with a simple laugh, reassuring William that he was fine despite everything that had happened so far. As the two walked, William then spoke again. The cowboy then offered Starbi an idea. It could be considered as a sort of game, where one would ask a question while the other had to answer truthfully. In reality, this was just a conversation, but maybe that was William's way of talking to someone casually, Starbi didn't know much about him either. Regardless, Starbi didn't mind! He was happy that William offered that idea, he would happily talk to him about anything!\n```\n[☆ \"Oh, yeah, of course, we can do that!! \" ☆]\n[☆ \"And thanks for the hat too!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi spoke with immediate glee, before he spoke again.\n\n[☆ \"So, do you start, or do I start?\" ☆]\n\n```\nHe asked, tilting his head at William with his usual smile, Joyful Aura now present." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Walking at a slower pace to keep up with starbi, William gave some thought to who would start first on his recommendation, I don't want to share my personal life but I need to gain this person's trust. C'mon William, it's just like back then, we don't have time for friends... But i wouldn't mind one. He thought to himself before he opened his mouth to respond to Starbi, he had a small smile on his voice and his tone of voice suggested he was happy, \"No problem about the hat but I will need that back later. Since I'm the one who suggested the idea I'll let you go first. Whatever question you got for me I'll answer.\" His voice had no hint of sadness or his grumpy tone. A voice ringed in his head, WE DONT HAVE TIME FOR THIS. WE DONT GET FRIENDS, WERE DROWING. The coyote of his soul spoke within his head, but William responded, I hope you die. I hope we both die. Hand in unlovable hand, we're injured and we need help. His thoughts echoed, showing his true feeling but on the outside there was no hint of this. All was seen on his face was a small smile and hint of joy in his voice. William is used to this, maybe starbi can be used as a means to an end. He continued his pace with Starbi." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"WE MUST RETURN THE SEA CREATURE TO THE GOAT MEDEI. THEN, WE WILL CONTIUNE ON OUR SEARCH. DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELF WITH THIS.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "Salhaeja intended to rekindles Ha by reminding her of the objectives and what was subsequently at stake. This was successful, because Ha, in a mostly robotic fashion, turned her head back up, and slowly nodded in response to his comforting words. New mission, new orders— or same mission, but a new directive, more accurately. She looked up at Fyodor upon his request, as well as his subsequent inquiry that had a threatening undertone, not that she could recognize such a thing in someone. He was offering Sable something, but who cares? They forced her to tap out. Whatever else he had said before, she was too ingrained in her own incompetence to overhear.\n\nTo be fully transparent, there were a number of things that raised a finger as far as Salhaeja saw, but he would not burden Ha for the moment with them. Aside from annoying him immensely, the notion that he could not inform them why he did what he did was odd. Even as O.S.A. Inner management, his initial assumption was that they'd broken some kind of rule. Excluding that, his actions would serve to benefit some sort of agenda from the organization itself in that case. Strange. And why was he giving away the shard? Was it not odd that he spoke the same language as Sable did? German, was it? No, Swedish? Something along those lines. Why was his presence some sort of secret? Still, the man was obviously powerful and likely deserved his status, no mistaking that. Also, it's not like he was the only person who knew more then he let on. Sal himself had been a tad dishonest about certain things, but for good reason. Fyodor? He wasn't sure.\n\n_ _\n``\". . .No question. I will forget. Thank you.\"`` \n\nHa responded in an non-tonal manner, affirming his wishes. Once that was done with, she turned to Endeven's general direction and his inquiry as it pertained to the rogue SOUL. This was the next and crucial part of her objective, now that this ordeal was dealt with fully. It was then, however, that her mind wrapped back to the fish itself. Salhaeja did not need to remind her, which was ironic given that it actually concerned him more then her. ``\". . .Yes, but we must give the fish to the Medei, Kuouo. It will help. Then we can go.\"`` The swordswoman commented, although she wasn't certain how to go about that. Would he find her, or vise versa?" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"THE FARM ANIMAL WILL COME TO US. HE WOULD HAVE HEARD THE NOISE AND KNOWS YOUR SCENT. HIS TOURNAMENT WILL HAVE STOPPAGE.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\". . .He will come to us, I know. Wait for a little.\"`` Ha added this upon Salhaeja's comment. He practically read her mind— to be fair, he Can Actually do that." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Dashing from rooftop to rooftop, with his SOUL manifested and blazestep being used much more efficiently, Kuouo Aiche Dee scoured the concrete jungle of Sanctum Mesa, holding his paw close to his snout in order to block out any other scents. The handshake that activated the two's ``SOUL VOW`` greatly increased the distance in which Kuo could track her down with his animalistic oriface. \n\n```\n\"C'mon, I know yer nearby. The hell are y-\"\n```\n\nKuouo's snout snaps to yet another familiar, fishy scent. He quickly called Infernium to his right paw, hopping off of a three story building and digging the dagger into its exterior to decelerate his descent. There, brushing himself off from the dust and debris, he finally looked up. Not quite the light at the end of a tunnel, but... Certainly a tunnel with a messily-dressed swordwoman at the end of it! Just as good in his books. \n\n```\n\"There ya are! Woah - Looks like you got yer hair ruffled a bit. Everything good?\" Kuouo tilted his head, finally appearing in front of Ha in a disheveled yet bombastic fashion. \n```" }, { "author": "-* \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"...Cantum mage.\" :: •☽\n☾• \"There's something you need to know before you give that shard away.\" :: •☽```\n\nHer words came perhaps just a moment too late, as she was mentally preoccupied with the resurgence of the sharp pain panging throughout her open wounds. The mana that once reinforced the sorcerer's flesh had dispersed such that the Vicariate healer could properly tend to Sable's wounds, and now she was feeling all of the pain she had earlier hidden away with her internal and external mana control. A rough grunt was forced from her chest merely as she sat upright. \n\nHer eyes, though weakened, still fixed strong upon the form of the shard as it hovered through the air." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"I thought I told you to wait your turn,\" Fyodor spoke, his eyes opening lightly as he glared toward Gold. His hand outstretched as a magic circle separated the shard from the participant.\n\"I still have questions for you.\"```\n\nAs the shard was attracted toward Gold, it pressed against the magical circle. An inverse push was applied to both the shard and the magic circle, swirls of blue mana crackling up the length of Fyodor's arm once more.\n\n```\n\"Until we're done here, the shard will stay w——\"```\n\n`Tssskch!`\n\n...It seemed louder this time. A rejective force, sounding off like electricity. Fyodor stopped in his sentence, his brow furrowing." }, { "author": "- \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"𝘧𝘧𝘧𝘧𝘧𝘵...\" :: •☽\n☾• \"This mystery — the Hunt, the Koi, this shard, the purpose behind it all——\" :: she paused, taking another deep breath. •☽```" }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"...As I was saying, the shard will stay with the one to whom it belongs. As for you and me——\" Fyodor continued, though he was interrupted once more.```" }, { "author": "- \"Sable\" -", "message": "```asciidoc\n☾• \"——can't... Be solved... With just a half of the puzzle. All you'll be left with... Is a broken theory! You need the Koi 𝘢𝘯𝘥 the shard t——\" :: •☽```\nSpeaking out of a coarse, forced breath, Sable winced as she put forward a pained series of sentences together, each spoken with constricted air within quick, intermittent clusters." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"I am still talking.\"```\n\nFyodor broke the chain of interruptions, speaking over the latter quarter of the sorceress' sentence, as though to silence her. For the first time, his eyes opened wide, pale-silver irises peering sharply toward the incapacitated sorceress with an identical, though exaggerated, semblance of that same annoyance that the O.S.A member had displayed when he first arrived.\n\n```\n\"You sure talk alot for someone who's already disqualified.\"\n\"I'll deal with you in a minute, mage,\" he said, his irises now barely visible as he stared down at her in a squint. With a motion of his hand, a magic circle swallowed up both Sable and Lucia, teleporting them elsewhere. His visage shifted toward Kuouo as he arrived.\n\"...Tch.\"```\n\n`Too many damn people.`\n`This is growing to be annoying.`\n\nHe shifted his hand in another halfcircle, a spell once again cast discreetly.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"I'll make this very quick. I don't have much more time for this,\" he said, now shifting his attention back toward Gold. \"You have taken things that do not belong to you. This is true?\"```\n\nFyodor questioned quickly, and with his mannerisms, tacitly stated both his impatience and the fact that he knew already.\n\n```\n\"A hat and a knife, was it...? Yeah. You're the guy.\"\n\"Anything else you have that isn't yours?\" —he flicked his fingers to point toward Gold. \"𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 isn't something permitted by the rules of the Hunt, I'd remind you,\" he insinuated disqualification, \"So I'd suggest you speak up now. I'll be taking all those things off your person.\"```\n\nThough he stated his intents rather forthrightly, there seemed a second, unseen intent hidden beneath them. He acted now as a genuine arbiter of the Hunt — seeking to ensure each of its rules were followed properly — and yet there was something beneath the surface; Something else* He wanted. That very same desire was the thing that drove his ire—those subtle tinges of anger that flared to the surface as Sable spoke of what she was not supposed to, and as more individuals (witnesses) came within the proximity of the ordeal." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi kept his eyes focused as William responded to Starbi's question that would settle who would start asking questions. As it was offered by William, Starbi would begin by asking William a question, how fun! A visible smile on his face, eager to try and learn more about William.\n```\n[☆ \"Yeah, sure! Uh...\" ☆]\n\nStarbi spoke with glee; he then took a moment to think as the two walked, obviously not prepared for a question. As he then looked around the metro, as he had a simple question to ask William. He then turned to him;\n\n[☆ \"What's your favorite color?\" ☆]\n\n```\nStarbi asked with an eager smile, it was a good question to start off with. Up until now, Starbi didn't really know William at all, besides the fact he seemed super cool, however, that was a usual impression he gets from people he comes across. Regardless, he was excited to learn more about William, no matter the fact!\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"You give me the kind of feeling that you'd like brown! I think brown's a cool color, my color is personally yellow because it just screams energy and happiness to me at least, and that's what I'm all about!!!! But if you don't like brown then that's fine too!\" ☆]\n\nThe Starborn spoke with little regard to what William may have said while he had rambled;\n \n[☆ \"I like how everyone has a favorite, just one— or many colors, and someone can like them easily, that's so strange, but I like it!!!! Oh— and there are so many shades of color too! Like how red can become many kinds of pinks!! There's also the fact that every color can become a completely different color too, like black or white! Like even the brightest of yellows can eventually become a nice black color with enough tints of black! \" ☆]\n\n[☆ \"What do you think Athena's favorite color is? She seems like blue is her favorite, but I could be wrong!! Maybe Max too, he seems like he's maybe a green kinda guy, we can ask them when we see them later!!!\" ☆] \n\n[☆ \"Ooooh, there's also my friend, Dioscuri! To me, he seems like purple is his favorite is purple! Speaking of purple, it's also the complimentary color of yellow! There's so many facts about colors, I didn't think that you could talk this much about colors, but you never know, someone out there has to be super into colors! So many worlds, and limitless possibilities!!! It's all just so amazing how something so seemingly simple can be entirely complex somewhere else!! Isn't that amazing?\" ☆]\n\n```\nStarbi had then ended his rambling with a question for William to supposedly answer. He then turned his head back to William for his input." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Having his attention focused on Starbi, William did seem to be interested in what he had to say about colors. Perhaps even a Smile Was on his face, but he quickly hid whatever emotion showed on his face. It took him a moment, clearly thinking about how to answer the first question, but he did come up with an answer and responded. \"Well, I do like brown. I really like brown leather. It reminds me of home a bit, but I really like orange and green too. I like the darker shades more.\" His tone did suggest he was happy. He continued speaking. \"In my experience, nothing really is simple. Everything is somewhat complex, but I guess colors are nice.\" An expression of thought could be seen on his face, Maybe this could work. They don't seem harmful and maybe they could be a friend....NO, WE CANT AFFORD FRIENDS. EVERYONE WE KNOW IS DEAD AND THEY'LL DIE TOO. His soul responded to the thoughts he had about Starbi being a potential friend. William shifted a bit, and looked down at his right hand, watching as small sparks cane from it and died back down. Everything feels so weird. Am I dead? He asked himself. Turning back towards Starbi, his eyes seemed to soften a little and a little smile was seen but it changed back to his usual grumpy demeanor. \"Well I answered your question, so now time to answer mine. Tell me about where you're from. I doubt Starbi is a common name nowadays.\" He said, his voice sounded calm." }, { "author": "Endeven Dioscuri", "message": "BLOSSOM WAKE UP!!! BLOSSOM, WAKE UP!!!! BLOSSOM!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi looked at William with a smile as the two remained walking within the metro. When he was rambling about the idea of colors, he was able to sense a form of joy from William, however, wasn't able to notice his smile due to him looking around the metro as he spoke. Regardless, Starbi was happy to know that William was also happy. He then turned his head to look forward while walking with a smile; \n\n```\n[☆ \"Yeah, even if life can be super crazy, at least we have the little things in life to make life even better!\" ☆]\n\nThe Starborn commented on William's final remark, a smile on his face as he already knew what to say, Joyful Aura's presence strengthened, maybe even being able to wash away William's hidden feelings, even if it was for a moment. \n\n```\nStarbi had then noticed William shifting and looking down at his hand, he bent over to see his right hand forming small sparks before seemingly dying down. With a curious expression on his face, Starbi looked at William's face, as he then went back to his original posture when William had turned his head back to Starbi, it was then that William asked his question; it was about Starbi's background he had entered Unity. Starbi looked at William's face, his smile seemed calm and... Truthful as it was accompanied by his calm voice, Starbi then looked forward, and down to the ground as the two kept walking.\n\n \n```\n[☆ \"Well, I live in a world that's actually very like this place, actually. Although I'd say that the place I'm in is calmer than this place, but I'm sure it's not like that every day!\" ☆]\n\nThe Starborn spoke, turning back to William with a smile, as he turned his head forward again to continue speaking, albeit feeling nostalgic, even though he's only been away from home for a while, only a week, his friend could survive without him, Starbi was sure of that.\n\n[☆ \"And there's also my best friend Lune! I met him when I was visiting that earth before I began living there! I crashed in on a starlit night, you could call me a shooting star! And then I found him! At first, I was surprised to find him, I hadn't really seen anything like him yet up until I met him, but I didn't mind! We talked and stuff, and we instantly became best friends, he's like a brother to me. I think I have a picture of us together, he likes sea life like sharks, I do have some pictures of us at an aquarium. \" ☆] \n\nStarbi then dug his hand into his pocket in search of his phone. He had then found it, and took it out, his phone had colorful stickers and keychains as decoration. He searched through his gallery, then showed William a picture with his free hand. \n\n\n```\n\n \nThe picture in question was of Starbi, energetic as ever, with someone in the background, Starbi's friend Lune. The two seemed to be outside, with a building in the background, from what Starbi had said before, one can assume that it was an aquarium. When it came to appearance, Lune was a tall fluffy figure standing at around 6'0\". The fluffy adjective came from him having black fur covering his body, wearing a very pale green sweater accompanied by big red glasses on his face. His legs didn't look like legs, they rather looked like the big end of a broomstick's hay that was made out of the same black fur, he looked happy as well, waving to the camera. Starbi's hand holding the phone then moved back to him, as he stared at the photo with a casual smile. \n\n```\n[☆ \"I hope he's doing okay! I wish I could at least contact him. My phone hasn't been able to call people out of this place yet. But I know that we're both gonna be okay, I'm sure of it!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi spoke, turning his head to William once again. As said before, it had been a while since Starbi had spoken to his friend Lune, but Starbi was confident that, despite the circumstances, both of them would be okay, he was sure of that. Starbi then turned to William, with a joyful smile on his face.\n\n[☆ \"What about you! Where are you from? Do you have anyone else close to you? Besides Athena and Max, I mean!\" ☆]\n\n```\nStarbi asked, after all, it was his turn to ask William a question now that he answered his question. To Starbi, it made sense to ask a similar, if not, the same question back. No harm in doing so, right?" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "Turning and letting out a low, rumbling growl, seeing as he had been shot and was still bleeding, A Mental Lever Long Enough Not attempting to pull the shard from the confines of the magic circle, but rather to just keep it floating in its same position as when Fyodor had attempted to intercept it.\n\n\"Ahhhh, boy scout. Listen, I ain't buyin' ya' expensive popcorn.\" Using his free hand in a pained motion, he motions lazily; because again, he had been shot. \n\nGold manages to meet the man's gaze, eyes narrowing only just a bit. \"I ain't kill someone, I ain't attack anyone who ain't involved, an' I haven't left th' grounds. That's ya' rules, right?\" That same free hand counts to three on its digits, one per each listing.\n\nRegardless, the hat and the bayonet slide off of his character and to the ground beside Gold, one-by-one. Bayonet first, hat second. \"Ain't steal th' shard eitha'.. Asked fa' it, got given it. Ain't that big a' deal. 'sides, it ain't Stealin' If ya' catch a thrown knife.\" \n\n`Can't 'fford to be kicked out. Can't 'fford it.` He thinks to himself, still holding outwardly resolute to the opposition. `Can't let that happen.`" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Listening to Starbi, a small smile was able to be seen on his face. Not only were his questions directed to find out as much about Starbi, but it also felt as if he's having a true conversation, something he doesn't remember having much. He listened carefully not only to find any advantage he could use but because it was the polite thing to do, he even paid attention to the photo Starbi showed him, it wasn't the weirdest thing hes seen all night especially with a light box that starbi was holding. Maybe the boy his mama raised is still there, somewhere within his soul under that harden grit. But that smile quickly faded, and he looked away as Starbi asked him if he had anyone close and where he was from. He began to think to himself, I don't want to expose too much about myself, but I also need their trust and to find out if they're a threat. C'mon, William, it's only a question. It took him a while to turn his head back to Starbi to respond, but his eyes seemed sadden. He opened his mouth to speak but he had trouble finding the words, his eyes narrowed as he looked towards the ground and back up towards Starbi, taking the small moment of silence to regain his thoughts and composure. \"I wouldn't say me and Max are friends. I only met him tonight.\" His voice sounded cold, but he continued on, \"Athena, well, she saved my life, so I reckon I would call her a friend.\" With his free hand, he reached into his coat pocket and took out his pinkerton badge, and stared at it for what felt like eternity but in truth was only half a minute. Without looking back at Starbi, he spoke again, taking breaks between each sentence, \"I had some friends, I guess. They're all gone now. Same with my family.\" His tone shifted, not one of anger but of regret, \"Only people who were close to me were my brother, mom, and my two best friends. They're all gone, James... He stayed in the trenches.\"\n\nA memory of his friend being slain on the battlefield replayed in his head, but he continued on. \"My brother, well he never forgave me for leaving... My mom, she died a long time ago. She would've liked you.\" He said, a clear nod back to what he said to Starbi earlier while on the rooftops. \"My other best friend, well, she's gone too.\" His final words seemed to sting. After all these years of hiding his emotions, looking back at it all, it hurt. It really Hurt.....William wordlessly placed his badge back into his pocket and took out a cigarette, but remembering that Starbi didn't like the smoke, he placed it back. It took another moment between the two before William said anything again, \"Too make it fair. You showed me a photo of your friend, so here's a few of mine.\" He said as he took the hat off Starbi's head and took out photos that were hidden underneath the sweatband of his hat. He presented the photos towards Starbi as he placed his hat back on his own head. The black and white photos showed a group of soldiers on horse back, a group of 12, and the writing on the top right showed the date the photo was taken, July 16th, 1914, the second photo was similar to the first one but the date was,\n\nJanuary 8th 1918, American Expeditionary Force, in both photos it was clear that William was the leader of the groups, his face was emotionless with his rifle slinged on his back and revolver on his hip, but it was the third photo that stuck out. It was a black and white photo just like the rest, but it was dated October 17th of 1910. It was a photo of William and another standing beside him, Bonney Rose, William looked happy, a true genuine smile was seen on his face along with flowers tucked into his hat band and his hair, Bonney had their arm wrapped around Williams, and a bright smile was seen on their faces, her eyes only focused on William as his were focused only on her. William smiled at that photo, but for only a second, as his smile faded away once again, he placed the photos into his inside coat pocket and continued walking alongside Starbi, there was silence between the two but William spoke again, \"You know, I haven't had this open of a talk with anyone in years. How much longer is this walk?\" He asked, hiding his emotions once again reminding himself of the reason he is here now. Completely forgetting to answer the question of where he's from." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Landing onto the last rooftop overlooking the metro station, he watched the group of people, focusing mainly on two. Kuouo and Gold, pointing towards the two, Manolo spoke in a low tone towards his captain, \"Those two. The one bleeding out his arm and the goat man. Those are the others from the boat. They don't know we're here, we have the surprise. What you think to do?\" He said turning his head towards his friend, the light reflecting off his eyes again giving that eerie brown glow but something was different this time. His eyes looked soft and the electricity coursing through his body gave his fur a static look. I really need to brush my fur, and maybe get it cut. He though to himself as his ears twitched and his tail swayed softly behind him." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori perched on the edge of the building, surveying the metro entrance below below with a sharp focus, his gaze following the direction Manolo had pointed. A wry hum escaped him, his tone laden with the calm of impending action.\n\n```\n\"That goat man down there... Likely a Zoan type Devil Fruit user. Such powers are formidable, yet given the commonality of goats, he's not particularly special and is just that, A zoan type. The other one, however, remains unknown; we can't tell if they possess any abilities. And the others, they could all be part of a crew. It'd be unwise to engage; even by my standards, the odds would be against us, ill go down there and attempt to get some info. Im much more of a people person, and can get info without raising suspicion that way. Join me if you want, but please. Try to keep calm, we dont want to put these people on edge.\"\n```\n\nHe said, his tone low so only Manolo could hear. He then carefully navigates his way down the building into an alleyway. He would await in the alleyway, to see if his friend would join him before entering the crowd of people in front of the metro." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "In the midst of eventide, the wind breaks.\nA silhouette shifts with intense speed across the rooftops, air whistling in its wake.\nThe light cannot catch the form of the one who casts the shadow. It eludes even the illumination of the magelights, a blur that the eye could scarcely keep up with.\nLike an umbral bolt of lightning, it pierces blind through the night..." }, { "author": "Hika Meguro", "message": "Just as quickly as he appeared, had he drawn his weapon. The cold sensation of a familiar blade quickly became apparent to Manolo. Its tip met the scar where it had once impaled the gunslinger before. A voice hushed into the pirates ear as the blade pierced an inch into his flesh.\n\n`\"Move and your heart is open...\"`\n\nA man stood behind him with midnight black hair and a face covered in bandages. A man with white samurai-like clothing and a cursed blade firmly placed between his two hands . A man who, just like the two travellers, seemed very much out of place in the city of sanctum mesa. He was barefoot, bleeding from his soles due to glass shards that sprung into his feet as he jumped on them, yet he seemed unfazed, dragging his feet along the concrete ground which he stood on to wipe them out of his flesh. \n\n`\"Pirate, are you..? Leaving your friend to die... I don't blame you though, really...\"`\n\nHika Meguro, fresh from their previous encounter. Unlike Sasori and Manolo he had not aged since, making this much evident. Most of his wounds from their battle had regenerated though and he was ready for a second round, if need be. Notably, one factor which he wasn't aware of was Sasori's presence.\n\n`\"What's your business with me...?\"`" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Listening to his captain speak and soon watching him go down into the alleyway, Manolo was ready to jump down himself until he smelled something or someone familiar, but he didn't smell fast enough. Feeling the blade enter the scar that lay on his back, Manolo felt lucky that his steel chest plate caught most of the impact, but it still hurt as the tip went through his skin. Making a low pitch whine and growl, his fur stood on end as the feeling of blood trickled down his back. \"I ain't after you. And you couldn't kill me when you had the chance, so what makes you think you can now? You coward.\" His voice sounded angry as his mouth grew into a snarl showing his pointed teeth. \"You always did go for the back, and you call yourself a swordsman.\" He said, showing the reason he called Meguro a coward. If the tip remained on his plate, Manolo would transfer electricity into his plate and throw the attack off, but meguro decided to pierce his skin, his body already had electricity coursing through, it's time to see what would happen if he had electricity everywhere. Suddenly, 60 volts of electricity coursed through his body into the blade of meguro and into meguro himself. In one swift motion, Manolo used his dueling dagger, in his left hand, to break off contact between him and the blade while simultaneously drawing his own rapier with his right hand. Using his speed, Manolo jumped away from meguro but still in range for a sword. Seeing Meguro, he noticed that he still looked young, this confused Manolo, given that their battle was near 15 years ago, but now was not the time to dwell. Taking a stance that allowed him to have a mixture between both defensive and offensive attacks, Manolo coursed electricity through his blades, causing the air to fill with static and his fur to stand.\n\nThis was not the same Manolo, Meguro faced all those years ago. Manolo has already fought Meguro once. He knows his tricks and tactics, but Manolo has also grown. He is no longer the ex-marine from all those years ago. Now, Manolo is a musketeer for the Freeheart Pirates. While he specialized in firearms, a main weapon of the musketeer was a rapier first and foremost. It was time Meguro learned that." }, { "author": "timiette", "message": "The third party for the third party" }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Unbeknownst to Sasori, as he took a few cautious steps forward in the dim alleyway, Yin erupted into a series of alarming caws and ascended sharply into the air. The unusual behavior of his feathered companion instantly put Sasori on edge, his instincts honed by countless dangers whispering of impending peril. His eyes narrowed as he tracked Yin's flight.\n\n```\n\"Hmmm\"\n```\n\nWith a swift climb up the nearby ladder, Sasori found himself on the rooftop again, noticing Meguro whom fate should have claimed long ago was there. His grip tightened on the strap of his backpack, his breath frosting in the cool air.\n\n```\n\"...\"\n```\n\nDelving into his backpack with icy calm, Sasori's voice was a low growl of disbelief and rising fury:\n\n```\n\"...You. How are you here, you are supposed to be dead.\"\n```\n\nHis hand emerged holding a skull, a relic of battles past and not just any skull, but Meguro's. Placing it ceremoniously before him, he rested his boot upon it, signaling Yin with a subtle gesture with his hand.\n\n```\n\"Back from the dead to get your ass kicked again huh? Your new skull will make a fine re-addition to my collection you coward.\"\n```\n\nAs the skull began to crack under the pressure of his boot, Sasori unsheathed Purgatory's Inferno, its blade igniting into fierce flames that sliced through the darkness. His voice thundered over the rooftop:\n\n```\n\"YOUR FATE WAS DECIDED AND I SHALL BE THE ONE TO DELIVER IT AGAIN, YOU WILL DIE BY MY HANDS AGAIN.\"\n```\n\nHe charges towards Meguro, his opponent's death his goal. Applying Haki, More specifically Mana Reinforcement in this universe to his blade turning it into a black color.\n\n```\n\"I WILL PLAY YOUR GAMES WITH THAT SWORD OF YOURS NO LONGER, ILL SHOW YOU MY TRUE STRENGTH. THE STRENGTH OF A MAN MARKED BY DEATH\"\n```\n\nAs he closed in, his blade aimed a vicious slash at Meguro's torso.\n\n```\n\"I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER, I WILL MAKE YOU DIE. IM A MAN OF MY WORD AND I KEEP MY PROMISES. YIN CONTOUR.\"\n```\n\nYin unleashed a barrage of 24 sharp feathers, each one a deadly projectile aimed at their target and as the feathers flew, two clones of Sasori materialized, echoing his assault with synchronized slashes aimed to injure or disorient Meguro.\n\n```\n\"YOU SHALL FACE MY WRATH, NOW BURN IN A ENDLESS INFERNO FOR I WONT GIVE UP\"\n```\n\nSasori would put all his force into every single one of his attacks, and would not let anyone get in his way. He has a personal vendetta against this dude." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Seeing his captain, Manolo felt relieved that he didn't have to fight alone once again, but upon seeing the flaming blade, his ears and tail shot up clearly agitated by the flames. Whether it be intentional or accidental, Manolo's growl grew louder, and his snarl became more prominent. Manolo was becoming feral. With a quick move, Manolo thrusted his rapier blade forward into a quick, precise stab into meguro chest. Given the style of blade and its fighting style, this allowed Manolo to still keep out of range of any dual handed swordsman while still allowing him to slash and parry if his thrust was unsuccessful" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"HE IS HERE.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "The swordswoman naturally picks up on the initial vibrations of Kuouo's descending impact regardless of Sal's callout, soon recognizing his distinct vernacular tone as he approached her. She had a small sigh of relief, contented to know that this particular objective regarding the return of the Koi was now likely completed. A Success, not failure, regardless of the setbacks they faced, including some of which were her own fault. More importantly, she figured they could focus on what Sal had said was considerably more of a concern as far as the festival went. Perhaps now, she could undo her mistakes to an even greater extent. She could prove herself better than what she'd done thus far. Plus, Kuouo was an ally, and nice.\n\nSalhaeja thought it was curious that Kuouo was seemingly taken aback by her physical condition— which was no doubt affected by battle, certainly— rather then the simple fact that she was Standing, unhampered. Generally, he and Daniel had only seen her within a crippled, disabled state prior to this exchange. There was a small concern of his that the Medei would accuse her of deception upon seeing this, but perhaps he Already Knew or assumed beforehand. Given that he willingly gave her the fish, and would not have good reason to do so if she was that weak, it was entirely possible for that to be the case. A farm animal, but not an idiotic one, then? Food for thought. Incidentally, The Slayer was also glad that this goal he had took up for no real gain other then ultimately self-serving, emotional reasons was over with. If nothing else, it reinforced the idea of forging temporary friendships, as Ha had eluded to, and they had extracted value from the item itself, didn't they? Even with some Luck That he so devalued, the circumstances were acceptable.\n\n_ _\nBoth of their newfound alliances at this festival were now face to face, Kuouo and Endeven. They could not be More Different, but both were, as far as he knew, very competent— the Medei was returning from that tournament provided his lack of dejectedness, which could only mean he sustained himself long enough to make it to at least another round. Goals were different, and the latter raised a lot more revealing questions yet to be asked, but it was still noteworthy. Something did puzzle him, though. . . With his non-reaction to her changed condition, and knowing that Endeven himself had not seen Ha prior to her current state: was he even aware that she was Blind? Was Anyone Aware? Not that it mattered greatly, but in principal, such a weakness as visual impairment should be known amongst cohorts. He hadn't stopped to think about it until now. On an unrelated note, he had no interest in Sable herself and implored Ha to do the same, but her words on the shard and Kois relationship were notable if not lies. She had no reason to do so in defeat.\n\n``\"Hi Kuo. I am fine. There was a big fight.\"`` Ha would reply by stating the obvious and turn toward Kuouo's general direction, a minimal expression of happiness within a grin appearing on her face in effort to accommodate politeness. For Kuouo, he could reasonably discern that her tone was far more lively then before, as well as her native Korean accent— perhaps he'd attribute it to mere adrenaline, though. She wasn't that surprised to see him, obviously, since Sal informed her that he'd be here sooner or later.\n\n_ _\n``\"Yes. You can give it. Oh. . . This is Endeven. He helped keep the fish.\"`` The swordswoman responded to Endeven and added an explanation, seeing as it could be strange for Kuouo to observe his items in the hands of another. Salhaeja was still not pleased that he had to resort to technicities for this endeavor, but he was also displeased with the entire situation in general, as already elaborated upon. All that mattered was that the Medei could receive it now, in peace, and the shard was an added bonus based on what Sable said, something he'd surely like. Grounds for trust.\n\n``\"How is the match? You are doing good?\"``" }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"YOU AND I MUST SPEAK AFTER. ALONE. SHE WILL HAND ME TO YOU.\"]\n```\nSalhaeja communicates again, but this rings in the ears of Endeven Alone. Before they could continue their temporary alliance and hunt of whatever threat was present at this festival, there was something he needed to address— mutiple things, frankly. However, he would not burden his warrior with it, especially considering he'd already done so on this night undeservingly. Even if he did, she'd struggle to grasp the concept. This was far beyond her understanding." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "As William spoke, Starbi noticed the cold tone within his voice as he responded to Starbi's remark about Max and Athena. It left Starbi curious about him, but his train of thought was gone as he noticed William taking out a sort of badge. Starbi had stared at the badge in William's hand, even staring at it for 30 seconds before William began talking. Starbi was even a bit distracted by the badge, and looking at the wording on the badge, Pinkerton National, Detective Agency. The name Pinkerton did ring a bell to Starbi, he has been aware of what he might call \"Common\" Human history but wasn't an active follower of it, but with his time as a traveler, through time and through space, he was aware of what it was. And with this, Starbi had figured that William was a detective of some sort, it left Starbi with a small smile on his face, finding it fascinating.\n\nIt was then that William began to speak in response to Starbi's question from before, Starbi's thoughts regarding William being a detective had vanished as his eyes came back to William with a curious but friendly expression on his face. He kept his smile as William had confirmed he had some friends, it made Starbi happy to know that part of William's past. But it quickly vanished as William's words confirmed that they, including his family, were dead. It left with a concerned yet considerate expression on his face as William continued. It made Starbi feel a bit sad regarding William's family, but was left with a feeling of warmth from William mentioning his mother and how she would've liked Starbi again, his mouth curving into a faint yet appreciative smile to William's words. But that smile vanished as William then revealed that he had lost someone else, it left Starbi wondering about William and his well-being.\n \n\nIt was then that William removed the hat off of Starbi's head. Starbi watched as William rummaged through the hat's band for apparently something. William then revealed 3 pieces of paper hidden under the sweatband of his hat, as Starbi looked longer, he figured that these were the photos of his friends. Starbi was eager to see them, as William then presented the photos to him. Starbi looked at the photos, analyzing the first photo of 12 men on horseback, Starbi had a glance at the date but then went back to the group. Starbi then took a look at the next photo, it was of William, he noticed his cold expression, it was the first thing Starbi had noticed, and with the photos he's seen as of now, the faces of those in the photos, their expression, their feelings portrayed through them. But Starbi wondered about William's cold expression in the second photo and remained in the back of his mind for the time being. \n\nThe next photo, however, was different, completely erasing William's dead expression from Starbi's mind, it was William and someone else. As said before, it was different from the other photos William had shown Starbi up until now. The photo, just by looking at it, was from a great memory. Starbi analyses the photo, it was William and a girl, the girl was wrapping her hands around William, Starbi wondered if this was the \"She\" William had brought up before. Regardless, Starbi looked at the expression of the two, they were happy, not focusing on anything, nothing to worry about, they were both happy. William then took the photos away and put them in his pocket. Starbi looked at William's pocket, and then to the ground, William began speaking in regard to how much was left until they could stop walking, Starbi turned his head to William to speak.\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"Well, I'd say there isn't much time left until we're out of here!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi commented, irrelevant to William's question, a smile then forming on his face. \n\n[☆ \"And there's nothing to distract us, so I'd say we'll be out here even sooner!\" ☆]\n```\n\u001bStarbi assured, with his signature smile, Joyful Aura was now back after William finished talking about his past relationships, Starbi then looked forward, and then back to the ground again with an expression of thought on his face. Starbi was in thought as the two kept walking. A few seconds passed, Starbi's mouth then turned to a smile, as he then let out a small yet cheerful laugh." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Walking quietly, he listened to Starbi respond about the distance that remained. He remained silent. The expression on his face was one of regret. William never had time to fully deal with the loss of his loved ones. It was always job after job, but now, speaking about it and looking back. Everything was hitting harder than any bullet or blade he's felt before. It felt as if his heart was breaking all over again, but he couldn't understand why. William didn't say anything, as they both walked in silence memories of his past flashed through his mind. He took notice of the expression of thought that Starbi had on his face and decided to ask about it. \"What are you thinking about?\" He asks, his tone still cold but warming up to the starborn. He reached into his pocket, retrieving a cigarette and looking at it. His thought wandered back to the night he quit smoking for Bonney. He still remembers how she looked in the smoke of his last cigarette. A faint smile was seen on his face before turning back to Starbi. \"You know, I used to hate these things. The past is haunted, and the future is laced.\" He said as he placed the cigarette between his lips and lit the end with his fingertips. As the smoke began to drift upwards, William looked calmer as his stance relaxed, and he moved off Starbi. Now walking with no aid, he touched the grip of his revolver with his fingertips. \"I wasn't always like this, you know. I know you want me to be happy but I can't afford to be happy anymore.\" He said, taking a long drag off his smoke. \"What are you thinking about?\" He asked once again, but his tone suggested that it wasn't a request but more so an order." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"Hmm.\"```\n\nFyodor's eyes did not open, but one of his brows shifted as he lifted his left hand to his side, two fingers pointed up as he motioned in a circle with a twirl of his wrist. Refined, white mana flickered from his fingertips, marking the origin of a spell.\n\n`If there's one thing September is good for, it's probably this.`\n`What a truly mundane ability. And yet her interpretation makes something absolutely ridiculous out of it.`\n`\"The transfer of items\" As a readable contract, huh?`\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Yes, those are the rules. But beyond the absolution of assault and battery charges, you're still subject to the laws of Pacifica.\"\nA magic circle manifested on the ground beneath the bayonet. The first item and the one immediately proceeding it falls through. A second opens above his left, the handle of the knife falling into his grasp. He shifts the hat with into right hand.\n\"Not stealing, huh?\" he tilted his head backward. \"So you didn't steal this thing either?\"\n\"Rhetorical question. Far as I'm concerned, everything on your person could be stolen.\" Fyodor stared down at Max's hat. \"This thing's... Enchanted...?\"```\n\nHe flipped the hat upside-down. Something wasn't right about how the light hit it... \nFyodor slowly extends his hand into the hat, his eyes widening slightly as it is allowed to delve deeper and deeper in. Soon after, he withdraws from it the pitch-hued revolver stored within.\nHe shifts the thing in his palm, his finger catching the cylinder latch so he may swing it open, confirming that it is truly a functioning firearm. Or, at least, is intended to be.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"...\"```\n\n`This makes things alot easier.`\n`Suppose it makes sense, if he's sticky-fingered enough to have taken 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.`\n\n```\n\"...C.I.C, P.S.L category 31, subsection K and L, amended by the Revised Weapons Control Act of 2025. 'It is considered a criminal deed for any misappropriated munition or weapon of either natural or supernatural nature that is of or of a commensurate classification to Type II.B or greater, to be brandished, stored, kept, transported, concealed, given, taken, or traded in any way, by any person who knows or possesses reasonable cause to believe, that the item in subject has been misappropriated from its rightful owner, excepting cases wherein the item is submitted to...'\" his sentence broke off there, already having tapered off in volume near the end.\n\n\"That's four federal misdemeanors.\" \n\"Triple criminal theft and the keeping of a stolen firearm.\"\n\"You have anything to say for yourself? Actually... Don't answer that.\"\n\"Answer my questions honestly and I won't disqualify you on the spot.\"\n\"You are in possession of a briefcase, yes? Used to store a Winchester Model 1897 pump-action shotgun — modified, as I understand it. Neither of these things being rightfully yours. Where are they now?\"```\n\n_ _\nHis expression shifted from the moment he pulled the revolver from the hat. Seemingly by having entrenched Gold within the legal conundrum he was in now, one of the things that irked the well-dressed man had been alleviated. Or, at least, so it seemed. This whole thing — from him having stolen the bayonet and hat to the revealing of the revolver — seemed, in some part, not the most of the blonde-haired man's worries. They were adjacent to something else, and the actions they insinuated he could do were now what seemed to matter most to him. Or, again, so it seemed." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "With the two walking in the metro, Starbi remained in thought and wasn't completely paying attention to William, still keeping that smile on his face, he was thinking about something that made him smile, but then again, when doesn't he smile to a thought of his? His head then turned to William asking what was on Starbi's mind, a curious expression on his face. \n\nThe Starborn kept quiet, looking back to the ground as the scent of smoke filled the air, his smile then returning. He then heard William's words regarding the past and future, he was paying attention, but more focused on something else. Starbi then felt the weight of William lift off of his shoulders, Starbi glanced to his right to William's shoes as he heard him speak regarding the past and the future, his smile gone for a moment, but again, returned. \n\nIt was then that William had asked the same question from before, the tone in his voice made Starbi look at him with a curious expression, his eyes then looked in the direction they were taking.\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"Well, it's just that...\" ☆]\n\n\n```\nThe Starborn turned his head forward, then back to the ground. He then answered William's question at last, with a smile on his face.\n\n```\n[☆ \"You two looked so happy in that one photo.\" ☆] \n\n[☆ \"She was your best friend, right? The girl in the photo, your smiles were the first things I noticed.\" ☆]\n\n[☆ \"But there was that other photo of you. You didn't look happy at all. But... That's because she was gone, right? And... Because of that, you can't feel like you can smile like that ever again.\" ☆]\n\n[☆ \"But, despite everything. I don't think what you said was true, William. I'm sure that you're able to be happy, otherwise, we wouldn't be having this talk! You'd be like the William in the other picture, who didn't seem happy at all. But... The William I'm seeing right now is the one in the other photo! The William who's nice, who wouldn't be talking with me right now, the William who gave me biscuits, the same William who also deserves to be happy.\" ☆] \n\n[☆ \"It can be difficult to be happy, but that's because everyone has their own way of being happy! That's just how people are. And I'm sure that despite everything, you're going to still be happy.\" ☆]\n\n...\n\n[☆ \"And I'm sure she'd be happy to know that too.\" ☆]\n\n\n```" }, { "author": "Hika Meguro", "message": "The skull which Sasori presented to him didn't bring a reaction out of him, mainly because he was unable to see it in the first case due to his blindness. As Sasori drew his blade, Meguro readied his. Shuku Enshi had been a black blade since the start of their encounter, charged by mana reinforcement just like Purgatory's Inferno. But while Sasori approached Meguro, the latter wasn't just going to stand there and take it. He prepared his own counterattack, his own signature attack.,\n`\"You, idiot, never learn, hm..?.\" `\n At inconceivable speeds, Meguro performed dozens of slashes into the air with his blade, each creating a wound of vaccuum in the air, quickly travelling towards the enraged captain charging straight at him and possibly carrying him along the current that would last 200 feet, whilst performing more smaller wounds all around his body and finally dooming him to fall around 15 meters, if he was caught by the..\n`I bet you remember this one very well..-`\n\n```\n▬ι══════ﺤ 『\"!!VAGRANT RAZOR!!\"』 -═══════ι▬▬ﺤ\n```\nUnder this circumstance, the Echoed Ronin would leave their effective range. Yin however was an addition to Sasori's arsenal uknown to Meguro, causing a great surprise and equally great damage. \n`PLCK!` First hit, left shoulder. `PLCK!` Second hit, left lower thigh. `PLCK!` Third hit, grazed cheek. `SPLRT!` Fourth hit, left lung pierced.\nBlood streamed into his lung and Meguro groaned in pain, but the assault was far from over as more feathers had hit him.\n`PLCK!` Fifth hit, left forearm. `SPLRT!` Sixth hit, guts hit. `PLCK!` Seventh hit, right shin. `PLCK!` Eigth hit, grazed right arm, `PLCK!` Ninth hit, broke right rib.\nMeguro sword lashed out at the rest of the feathers, the moment they entered his reach. He was able to tell their exact location and even though none of them were able to hit anymore, the previous few had done great damage to him. He had further difficulties breathing due to the feather bullet that was stuck in his torso within his lung. It had not collapsed, due to the feather pinning it to its location, but Meguro was clearly in pain.\n`He coughed a few times \"..Bastard..!!\" He yelled.`\n\nManolo too would be in range of the Vagrant Razor, however considering that it was not centered on him, he might have a chance of evading it by sidestepping. If he was hit, he would only receive slash wounds on his right arm and be launched 10 feet away, very close to the edge of the building." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "As the cold wind howled through the night, Sasori flew through the sky, His coat billowing as he did. About halfway from the Edge of the building and the South Group, he would release his blade. He then continued flying and landed on the cold and hard concrete in front of Dioscuri. The impact of hitting the ground was brutal. The impact produced a horrific, wet splat, as if a ripe fruit had been hurled against a stone wall. Bones snapped audibly, mingling with the squelch of ruptured organs. The earth beneath him, unyielding and cold, didn't just receive him; it punished him, embedding fragments of concrete into his flesh. Blood pooled quickly around his form, dark and thick against the pale dust, his cloak absorbing the crimson tide like the embrace of an old, grim friend. Some of the blood might have even gotten on Dioscuri's boots.\n\nA few seconds pass, Then the blood starts to contract back into the Body, Bones, Flesh, Organs, Etc reform, and heal as if nothing had happen. Sasori, opens his eyes and sits up, Looking around he sees a bunch of random people, The Goat and bleeding man that Manolo says was at the ship. With a calm yet unmistakably frigid tone, he apologized:\n\n```\n\"Sorry about that\"\n```\n\nHe then looks towards the Goat\n\n```\n\"You Goat and Bleeding Man with the weird detached glove looking thing, I Have questions for you two after I resolve this personal business\"\n```\n\nWithout another word, Sasori sprinted back toward the building from which he had been flung, Stopping halfway to retrieve his blade." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Listening to what Starbi was thinking, an anger was growing within him, but he couldn't understand why. It was the final mention of how she would've been happy that seemed to break something in him, he stopped in his tracks and stared at Starbi, his hand reaching ever closer to his pistol. \"I wasn't happy in those first 2 photos because it was war.\" His tone sounded angry, but also regretful, he continued speaking, \"The first one was a group of bandits I led during the revolution, out of those 12. I'm the only one left. The second one was the Great War, the war to end all wars we called it.\" He took a moment to reflect and continue, \"But in truth it ended nothing.\" His voice sounded stern, full of hate and regret. \"That photo of me and her, that was taken before I joined the revolution, in fact she served with me. In both wars she did. She left 3 years ago. She knew what I was, and it cost her life.\" He began stepping forward towards Starbi, given the small space it wouldn't be hard to cut the distance between the two. The smell of sulfur was becoming more present but there was no fire or smoke that came from his body. No it was coming from his soul. \"Only reason I'm being nice now is because I have nothing to lose anymore. You wanna know what I am? I'm a gunfighter, I've killed men, women, children all the same and I sent them straight to fucking Hell!\n\nHis tone raised as the sound of brimstone could be heard in his voice, he continued stepping forward, pinning Starbi's back against a wall. \"You wish the truth, I don't know one thing about kindness. Only reason I'm nice now, is because of that promise I made her, and if it wasn't for that. I would've shot you in that alleyway.\" This talk wasn't only because he was angry but to also keep Starbi at a distance, he knows that if he let's Starbi close, then he'll let him down just the same as he did everyone else in his life. It became clear that in each previous encounter, William held back. He held back his aim, his speed of draw, his ruthless fighting. He held back, because of a promise he made to a girl who died over 100 years ago but for him only 3. He then stepped off from Starbi, the smell of sulfur leaving as he continued his walk forward, without looking back towards his companion, he spoke again. \"I ain't a good man, I've never been one so don't call me one.\" His voice sounded sincere but that hint of anger was still present." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Sidestepping in order to evade Vargant Razor, his new position placed him lower to the ground, knees bent and elbows back. Manolo readied his blade for a quick thrust, given that his knees are now bent and his elbow is pulled back, it would be faster than a regular strike especially given that his strikes were already fast due to his fox reflexes and speed. As his blade thrusted through the air, his ears turned back, and his snarl became louder. The air filled with static electricity, and as the electricity coursed through his rapier blade, it sparked at the edge and tip of his blade. As the blade inched closer to his opponent with speed and deadly precision, suddenly something happened.\n*CRACK\nThe sound of electricity cracked through the air as Manolo changed the direction of his blade. Given the style of rapier and its fighting style, it allowed Manolo to create what is called a false strike to hide his true one. His blade cut through the air as he shifted his hand position to allow him to use the momentum of his thrust into his now slash across Meguro's chest aimed directly towards the Crow bullet, given the angle and speed not only would it cut Meguro, the slash was directed towards his left effectively cutting off that direction to dodge, but it would also remove the blade from his lung. It was clear Manolo knew the tricks of his captain and the weaknesses of Meguro. Given that his blade was now coursing with electricity, Meguro, if the strike was successful, would have the crow blade removed from his chest causing his left lung to collapse but he will now have a slash across his left side as electricity equivalent to 70 volts charged through his body." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"Ahhh, ya' like pullin' rabbits outta hats?\" \n\nGold has, up until this point, only seen a grand total of one time that The Pitch had anything to do with the hat; not enough to formulate a true connection between the two, either.\n\n\"'s a fun trick... More a fana' th' card tricks, myself.\" Gold just glances up and down between the man, the hat, and the magically-appearing firearm. \n\nAs for the briefcase, Gold's eyes narrow. The OSA Agent can clearly see both of Gold's hands; neither of which currently holding said case. \".. No... Don' possess it. Y' can see ma' hands..\"\n\n\\- an error. An error in the man's words. A flaw.\n\nGold hadn't touched the shotgun. So then... Exactly how much has this agent actually Seen, and how much is he Making up? \n\nHe giggles, a bit sluggish \"Aw... Ya' thinkin' too much o' me. If ya' know where I've been, then y'know where those items are, 'specially items ya' know I ain't put ma' hands on...\" In reference to the shotgun that the man had just insinuated Gold had taken or touched.\n\n— Whumpcrrkkk—\n\nGold jumps back a bit, surprised wholly by- whoever just made an emergency landing directly in front of him, quickly looking away as the man reformed himself and ran away \"Uh- w- yeah, um.\"\n\n`th' fuck whazzat`\n\n— He clears his throat, attempting to get both the image and sound that he had just witnessed out of his head... \"I ain't touch a shotgun since a' got here. Can't help ya' with that. Didn't know 'bout the gun eitha', unless ya' plantin' evidence.\"" }, { "author": "endeven", "message": "Although the streets of the festival were lit up, the shade of the sorcerer's ricehat mostly congealed his face. Despite the rather cold impression, which most would perceive, Endeven respectfully placed his right hand close to his chest and bowed down as Ha introduced him to Kuouo, before personally sharing his name and occupation in an, albeit, minimalistic manner. \n```ini\n[✦ \"Endeven Dioscuri, Cantum Sorcerer.\" ✦]\n```\nThe sorcerer remained distant while Kuouo and Ha were chatting. Kuouos behavior made him believe that the two of them were good friends, while Ha on the other hand seemed somewhat unnatural in the interaction, which wasn't really unnatural coming from her. Their interaction reminded him of his own friend, whom he had called to his location as a reinforcement, Blossom, receiving another glance from Endeven. (\n```ini\n[✦ \"Hmmm..\" ✦]\n```\nKuouo's question left him thinking for a moment. His curiosity about Salhaeja should remain hidden and even more should the premonition of the spirit-koi. That premonition was mainly why he approached the wielder of the koi-fish, but Endeven would not tell the goat infront of him about that. His response was not a lie either though, it was merely missing Endeven's intentions and few details. Since they were in contact, the koifish would be transferred to Kuouo. The shard was an object that Endeven had very little knowledge about, but it was described to be a key to the Spirit-Koi, which was not just useless to him, but would also get in his way as other participants might get in his way over it, most likely the case with Gold. He passed it to Kuouo along with the Koi, completing his and Ha's objective.\n```ini\n[✦ \"I was looking to briefly examine the koi-fish, out of curiosity, but as it turns out mine and Ha's goals for the festival are aligned, so I also assisted her in battle. An exchange of favors if you will, it cannot really be considered as business.\" ✦]\n```\nNext their goal would be to track down and investigate the individual of chaos that he had identified within the tunnels of the metro. Endeven acknowledged Sal's request with a nod, but before he could move towards Ha, he backed up from Kuouo as many things suddenly happened almost simultaneously:\n\n1. Oculus Accortex identified fast movement, causing Endeven to immediately dash backwards, away from Kuouo. \n```ini\n[✦ \"What the-\" ✦]\n```2. The presence of a pure black soul became distantly detectable to Endevens keen sense of chaos. This one different than the previous one.\n3. Sasori landed and splattered into bloody pieces, directly infront of him and Kuouo, close to where he had been standing mere moments ago.\n```ini\n[✦ \"What the fuck??\" ✦]\n```Endeven stared down at the mess infront of him for a while. Although the shattered one quickly reformed, Endeven was visibly confused and disturbed, mouth agape, as most people would at the sight. His boots and lower pants had been dyed red due to the proximity, but quickly lost their color again, due to the ability that restored Sasori's physical form. As the man rearranged infront of Endeven, he crossed his arms and simply stared at the person. His unperturbed reaction and the audacity to exclaim a request along with blunt nicknames did not help the bizarreness of the situation. He simply stood there and watched as the man rushed off soon after he had appeared. ```ini\n[✦ \"Weirdo.\" ✦]\n```\nHe walked around Kuouo, towards Ha. He wanted his staff back and then he wanted to leave the South. Enough is enough. But the arrival of a new combatant might delay the pace at which Endeven get's the peace he desires: Stan Bracken." }, { "author": "Hika Meguro", "message": "The cursed blade, Shuku Enshi rushed down, creating an afterimage, a Vagrant Cut, meant to force Manolo's rapier away from Meguro. Notably, the cut did not move like the other razors, for a certain reason. Meguro indeed did fall for the faint and Manolo managed to perform the slash across the swordmans chest, however was met by resistance from Shuku Enshi soon after his rapier had made contact with Meguro's chest, causing a small gash, though never actually reaching the feather stuck in his lung. \n\n`\"I'll ask again...\"`\n\nThe masked individual had no reaction to the wound, considering how minor it was. His Electricity mostly remained away from Meguro, despite what seemed to be contact between the two metallic blades. His sword had moved in, creating a thin barrier of vacuum and a gap between the rapier and Meguro, by stopping the rapier's movement towards him and pushing it upwards to point at the sky. The Vagrant Cut was now completed. It had been following Shuku Enshi's movements since his downward slash geared towards the false attack and had now taken the shape of an equal horizontal slash as Manolo equal attempt on hitting Meguro, ready to travel towards the captains right hand. As it did. \n\n`\"What is your business with me?\"`\n\nThe Vagrant cut would immediately move towards Manolo, with enough force to push him off the edge of the building down onto the fire exit staircase, 2 meters below the flat rooftop, if he was hit. It was not an attack aimed to kill. Meguro clearly wanted an answer on his bizarre question." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Feeling the contact on his blade and the movement that forced the tip of his blade upwards, Manolo quickly reacted by driving his hilt into the blade, effectively locking both blades together. Meguro allowed Manolo to dive in close. This would prove to be a mistake on his part, especially with a feral side. With both blades interlocked, it became clear that Manolo was weaker in terms of strength given that his rapier was a one handed weapon while his opponent was able to use both hands for leverage, but Manolo was a fox, a trickster, one who fought Meguro before. With the distance closed between the two, Manolo knew that Meguro would send him off the rooftop, but he was gonna take him with. As the electricity coursed around them both, Manolo's fur stood on end, and his eyes glowed a brighter eerie brown. The growl grew louder, and his teeth showed once more. Given the distance and speed of Manolo, it would be impossible for Meguro to react within a set time. Suddenly, without warning, Manolo bites down onto Meguro's shoulder. His 4 canine teeth pierced the skin, drawing blood, while in the same sudden motion Manolo's dagger, which he has kept hidden, came forward aimed under Meguro's 3rd rib, these attacks would lock Meguro into stance with Manolo but also if the blade was removed his lung would fill with blood, and his shoulder would be injured. Manolo suddenly felt the Vargant cut hit his person and send him launching back, but now with 3 points of contact and interlocking, Meguro would travel with him. The fox is a trickster and so is the rapier, speed is used as both instinct and as skill." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "As Starbi kept walking, he kept that hopeful smile that was on his face as he spoke to William, as a way to encourage him that he deserved to be happy. However, he was a bit oblivious to what the cowboy was feeling when Starbi spoke in response to William asking what was on his mind.\n\nAs William stopped in his tracks, Starbi noticed William had stopped walking, which made him stop and turn to William, leaving a distance between the two. When William spoke, the tone in his voice made Starbi feel... Tense, his tone before felt blank, stoic yet calm. But now, his tone seemed angry, it turned Starbi's hopeful smile into one of nervous confusion. William's words resulted in a small `Huh?` escaping from Starbi's mouth in response, Starbi wasn't sure if he said anything wrong, did he?\n\nIt was then that William continued, describing the content behind the first two photos that he showed Starbi. As he spoke, Starbi grew more wary but he did his best to try and keep his composure. As William mentioned that the friend in that one happy picture had died, it made Starbi feel a bit guilty, as he wondered if maybe that's what made William upset. It obviously did. \n\n\nAs William stepped close to Starbi, he made one step backwards, away from the approaching William. His composure weakened for a moment, as Starbi began to feel a bit tense. As William continued, his claim of killing people, men, women, and children, it made Starbi uncomfortable to hear that. Those claims even made his legs feel weak, the yell at the end of that gravely-toned voice making Starbi slightly grimace, keeping his eyes on William. \n* *\n\nStarbi tried moving back again, but it was then intercepted by William pushing him against a wall. Starbi kept his stare, clearly nervous, but kept calm. William then spoke, that if it wasn't for a promise he made, Starbi would've been shot in that alleyway. But despite that threat, Starbi kept his calm. It wasn't an alien concept for Starbi to be threatened, and in turn, he kept his composure. He wasn't going to give in that easily, that's for sure.\n\nWilliam had then let go of Starbi, his eyes were still locked in on William and his head turned to see him walking away. His final words were a request to not call him a good person. An expression of uncertainty brushed on Starbi's face, Starbi's eyes looking away from William. He didn't know what to think of William at the moment, he didn't feel angry, he just felt lost. Lost in thought for a few seconds, Starbi had then let out a sigh, a sigh of Relief. And out of nowhere, Joyful Aura returned, as a smile had formed on Starbi's face, despite William's intimidation, it left him still smiling in the end. He recalled that William had asked Sable to protect him. That strengthened Starbi's resolve that William was a good person, He was sure of it." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo smirked as ownership of the koi was tranferred back to him, the crystalline mana trail circling around the bandit once more as he listened in to the Cantum alumni's explanation. Kuouo lightly squinted at Endeven for about as long as it took for the Astra Cantum mage to carefully choose his words. The bandit quickly interpreted that, for whatever reason, Endeven was choosing to withhold information as to What* He learned from 'briefly examining' the koi and an In-depth Reason as to Why. Indeed, not a lie, but a device that the bandit has seen time and again or even used himself. Kuouo grasped the shard in his paw, looking to press the Cantum Mage a little to squeeze some more information, but that sentiment was immediately postponed.\n\n```\n\"Hmn.. So what did ya happen to lear-\"\n```\n\nKuouo noticed the blur out of his animalistic peripheral vision, instantly dashing back with his right paw reaching across his waist to hold onto the hilt of Infernium before the flesh meteor made impact. Like an eldritch Rice Krispie, the man instantly Snapped, crackled, and Popped Followed by a tsunami of blood getting all over the caprine's tanktop. The bandit immediately cringed, reeling back another step as the hideous mass of flesh eventually squelched back to life with a request for the goat and Gold in mind before sprinting away.\n\n```\n\"... Eughhh, now I got the smell of blood all over me. God fuckin' dammi—\"\n```\n\nAnd then a malicious roar echoed across the South. Like a calamity, another meteor touched down in front of the group. The bandit's eye twitched — 'A temporal beast!? No...' — A closer examination, with the beast matching the same muscular build and smell from earlier, revealed to the bandit that this was his opponent from just a few hours ago, though his form and mannerisms disturbingly a lot more unhinged than what Max was. Kuouo grunted a bit in frustration, deeply securing the shard by stuffing it into his pocket. Though the bandit didn't know it, he too, began to share Fyodor's sentiment about this place getting too crowded. Kuouo readied Infernium, taking it halfway out of its sheathe before he realized... An opportunity had arisen. \n\nWith the vengeful, vantablack beast occupied with settling a grudge between him, Gold, and the O.S.A. Agent questioning the psychic, Kuouo worringly glanced back at Ha. The Korean swordswoman, despite being in a relatively better condition than when Kuo first met her, had just gotten through a tough rumble. Furthermore, with the koi and shard now in hand, Kuo felt as if fighting Stan was a needless risk to the pieces of the puzzle he just gained but had yet to solve. Approaching Ha and Endven with the thumb of his paw thrown behind his right shoulder and pointing at the muscular beast, Kuouo made a crude suggestion:\n\n```\n\"I'unno 'bout you and yer strawberry-flavored friend over there,\" Kuouo tilted his horn over towards Blossom, \"But Ha, I think it'd be better if we make like a tree and get the fuck outta here while he's distracted. We got everythin' we need after all.\"\n```\n\nIndeed, the bandit suggested that they abscond from the area — Not out of cowardice, considering the tension in his body that indicated that he was ready to confidently strike at a moments notice. Rather, he'd prefer to deploy his simple stratagem surrounding preservation of the koi, shard, and further exploration of the mystery and Prize Surrounding them." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"I can see that,\" Fyodor said, his eyes closed. \"It isn't on your person, but...\"\n\"——Let's try another angle. I believe you have the shotgun. I 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 you have the briefcase.\"\n\"So, the question... Where is it?\"```\n\nThe blonde-haired man shifted the revolver in his hand, its barrel facing the floor. His eyes opened lightly as he glared toward the man opposite himself, a subtle mana effervescing into existence at his side.\n\n`\"Enchain. Level 1.\"`\nHis lips moved to these words, but only a slight breath pushed forward from them.\n\nA magic circle broke forth from the white mana, and from that circlet broke forth a thin, v-linked steel chain. Fyodor swung the cylinder of the Pitch shut, then pivoted his arm by the elbow to extend the revolver beneath the chain. The chain bound the revolver by its trigger-guard; the man released the weapon, allowing it to hang, suspended by the circle.\n\n```\n\"If I can't find that briefcase, your presence on festival grounds becomes a liabili——\"```\n\nHe felt a shift in the air. As Sasori descended, Fyodor preemptively shifted his hand, two fingers pointing at an angle as a large magic circle expanded into existence. Sasori's blood wouldn't even get a chance to sully his clothes, the blonde-haired man opening squinted eyes upon the flattened slab of viscera from behind an arcane barrier.\n_ _\n\n`...What is this?`\n\nFyodor hadn't the time to verbally comment on Sasori or his regeneration before the atmosphere began to stir again. A fight was occurring, distantly — he knew this already — but moreover, a darkened — no, Already pitch-black — *`SOUL`* Was growing closer. A magic user with an awareness of the *`SOUL`* As strong as himself would typically have flinched, troubled to the core by such a calamitous presence, but Fyodor was all-too-familiar with the nature of that deeply-disquieting, tar-black spirit. \n\n`...Some kind of fucked up test?`\n\nHe only needed to tilt his head slightly to glare at Stan, his pale-silver irises peering harshly toward the monstrous figure of the pitch-black *`SOUL`-ed individual approaching him. A swelling sense of impatience gave rise to a subtle ire that flickered beyond his composed, casual surface.\n\n```\n\"Don't come any closer. I'm busy right now.\"\n\"I'll deal with you later,\"\u001b he said, his hands enclosed within his pockets.\n\"𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙮 — Level 4.\"```\n\nMagic glinted between himself and Stan, a large, 5-meter wide magical circle of pale-white, algorithmic-geometric texts separating the black-`SOUL`Ed devourer from both Fyodor and Gold. He wouldn't be able to access melee range in the first place, the O.S.A agent preemptively acting to prevent a potential threat from ever growing close to himself.\n\n```\n\"You've got thirty seconds,\" Fyodor's eyes returned to Gold, slightly open, and his tone was now full of a brusqueness he had not shown before. \"Where's the briefcase?\"```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "As he walked away from Starbi, the sounds of his footsteps echoed throughout the tunnel, but so did his anger. He suddenly stopped and looked up at the ceiling and cursed himself, whispering under his breath, \"Damnit William. He didn't deserve that. It's not his fault.\" He then looked down at his pistol and took it out of its holster. Observing the pistol he carried for a decade, the fingers of his right hand touched over the engraving on the frame, the initials W.R.* Were there. His thoughts wandered to the night Bonney gifted him the pistol. The night they both shipped off for the Western Front, Bonney took his revolver and gifted him the new one, custom tuned to aid in accuracy and those initials. The promise he made her. The pain he felt when he lost her. He then placed his pistol back into his holster and turned his head towards Starbi, \"C'mon, I'm sorry I lashed out.\" His voice sounded calmer but also genuine. He motioned with his free hand for Starbi to follow before he turned his head forward and continued walking. He spoke, his tone taking a more apologetic tone, \"I'm just old. I'm tired and angry. You didn't know about the war or their deaths.\" He said as he threw his cigarette away, the smell of sulfur softly becoming fainter with every second. He continued walking in silence for a few minutes. There was still clear tension in the air, but nowhere near what had just happened. He spoke again, \"I guess I've always been like this. My mom died when I was near 11, and when she died, it killed the family. My dad, well, he was a bandit. My mom knew what he was but still loved him, but after she passed. He grew cold, and he became mean. So it was only me and my little brother, soon after she came.\"\n\nThese words suggesting to the girl in the photo, but he continued, \"I worked for her family, but she ran away. Soon, she stayed with me, and we grew up together. I would work on ranches and do whatever odd jobs I had to in order to make ends meet. One night, while I was playing guitar up on stage, this feller came in and started causing a scene. I threw him out and kept playing, but later that night, while I was walking home, that feller came running up to me with this branding iron. Got a good hit on me, and I hit the dirt.\" His voice then shifted, William didn't understand why he was telling Starbi about himself. Maybe he felt bad for lashing out, or was it something different? Was it regret? Right now, that didn't matter. He just continued on with his story. \"We fought, and I grabbed a rock. I bashed it across his head and turned him on his back. Now I was the one on top. I took the branding iron, and I just kept hitting. I don't know what took over me, I was just so angry that I kept hitting and hitting until nothing was left. _That night, I realized that I was just a reflection of my father._ So I ran away, my brother he was only 14. He didn't understand why I had to leave, and why I couldn't come back. He never forgave me. I went and joined the revolution, there I became meaner and soon I found myself leading a group of bandits. Our orders were to cause chaos everywhere we could. With that much freedom, it didn't take long till we started killing men who weren't even in uniform.\"\n\nHis tone suggested that he wasn't sad but scared? \"When that was coming to an end, I went and joined the Great War. I led another unit, and we were part of the harshest battles. First to fight, last to leave. In all that time of combat, in every battle, I never felt bad about taking a life. I just grew angrier.\" This last sentence showed why he was scared. He was scared of himself, scared of what he was, hating the monster that was him. He continued walking, but now he was not speaking. His eyes remained weary, his body was stiff, and his hands close to his sides. The tortured memories that lay within his head, the anger that builds in his heart. It was then that he spoke again, \"I don't know God. I think he's dead, but if I'm wrong and I stand in judgment. I won't repent, I don't deserve it.\" His voice sounded true, but also broken. A war-torn cowboy stuck in the present. This must be hell for him, and Starbi was his penance. That same joyful aura, and his smile. How it tortures William." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi remained looking down on the ground before William called out for him. Starbi's rigid resolve that William was a good person remained swirling around in his mind since his sigh of relief with his feelings, his caution, all of it had washed away, in the end, left alone with his smile. Starbi had turned his head to the right, looking at the path he and William had been walking through for a while. He was a bit unmindful of his surroundings as if he was just high on life, however, he was wondering what may have been going on with Endeven and the others, he swore he could've heard some sort of sound, or yell. However, along with a strange feeling, Starbi remembered the promise to Endeven that he'd stay out of the way.\n\nStarbi turned his head to see William turning to look back at Starbi. Starbi's smile turned to one of curiosity as William called for him to catch up, following along with an apology for his behavior to Starbi.\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"Oh, it's no worries!\" ☆]\n\n```\nStarbi spoke, a smile returning on his face as he began to walk at a quick pace to catch up with William. Walking at a small distance, 3 or so feet away from William. Starbi then looked to William as he began to speak, William began to speak, and Starbi listened to William. William seemed to be talking more about himself, more in detail about what he spoke about before, as William spoke, that sympathy Starbi had for him from before returned. William then began to reveal more about himself and his friend. But his retelling of his past took a stunted turn, mentioning how he hurt someone, albeit in self-defense, and in turn led him to go down a dreary path in his life. Despite all the violence William talked about, Starbi still kept his sympathy towards him, he had the feeling that there was more to .\n\n```\n[☆ \"Well...\" ☆]\n\nStarbi then placed his hand on William's shoulder, as a way to comfort him. The noticeable warmth from his hand acting as a way to comfort William's cold dismay.\n\n[☆ \"I'm glad you at least got to talk about it. I'm sure that you at least feel better, even if it's a little.\" ☆]\n```\nStarbi asked, a concerned, yet hopeful smile forming on his face similar to before, again trying to comfort William amidst his dread." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "William didn't expect Starbi to place his hand on his shoulder. He didn't even have time to register a response to what the Starborn said. His body tensed, and his hand reached for his revolver. In one swift motion, the sound of a gun being drawn from leather was heard. William's hand stuck out, holding the Starborn at gunpoint, but this was instinct, not want. As the barrel of his pistol was aimed at the face of the starborn, his finger squeezed the trigger, causing the hammer to slowly but steadily, ready to fire. If one were to look at his eyes at this moment, they would only see the darkness of his brown eyes and the coldness of death that they had seen. His face remained emotionless but hardened, his eyes weary and untrustworthy. The voice of his soul were the only thoughts that echoed throughout his mind, DO IT, it repeated louder and louder as the trigger pulled back, Death Only a few pounds away \nBut in one moment, in that split moment before the break of the trigger, his eyes grew soft, and his hand wavered. He loosened his trigger, allowing the hammer to fall safely into it's resting position, he soon lowered his revolver and placed it back into his holster, refusing to look Starbi in the eyes with each motion he took. He looked away from the starborn and looked down the direction of the path he was taking, he then looked down at his hand and he could've swore that he felt the grip of another's in his. A small flame flickered and died in his hand, and with it, his eyes grew softer but hard at the same. He then turned his back to Starbi and continued walking, and without looking back, his voice filled with shame and guilt, he spoke again, \"Don't touch me kid, and don't trust me. I'll hurt you the same as I always have. I don't even know why I'm talking to you.\" His voice was low and near a whisper, but he continued his way, his head dropped low and brim of his hat covering his eyes." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "In an instant, Starbi's well-meaning demeanor was wiped away. As William's body tensed, it didn't go unnoticed by the Starborn, as Starbi stopped in his tracks, but didn't have enough time to focus on that small detail. As William began to move, out of instinct, Starbi moved his hand away from William. Confused for a moment, the Starborn kept his eyes on William, only for them to be met with a pistol's barrel pointing close to his eyes. Starbi's body jolted, his arms raised accompanied by the palms of his gloved hands facing against the ground, as Starbi's body froze.\n\nFamiliar tension had filled the room, only now, it was accompanied by Starbi against a ledge of oblivion. Starbi kept his eyes stuck on the barrel, his smile now painted over with an expression of panic upon the Starborn's face. He didn't know what to exactly do, whatever wrong, or whatever move he could make, may end with a clean hole between his eyes. The only thing Starbi could do was stay in place and watch the barrel with shaken eyes. However, it was strange, before, Starbi seemingly managed to handle William's approach with ease, calming him down in mere seconds, only now he was unable to figure out how to do that again.\n\nAs a second or two passed between the two, Starbi's body began to ease, even managing to have his dread fade away for a moment. Starbi's eyes were now not shaking anymore, only staring at the barrel of the gun with familiar composure. A soft sigh escaped from Starbi's mouth, before Starbi's eyes then looked over to William, as the two were now staring at each other, one's eyes filled with caution meeting one's filled with weariness. Who knew what could happen between the two? It was all decided by the literal lift of a finger that would push Starbi over one side of a fence or the other. \n " }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "As William continued walking, he took notice of the footsteps behind him but decided not to say anything to the starborn he just held a gun on. A whirlwind of thoughts echoed in his head, memories of war, pain of death, injuries taken in battle. Everything began to take a toll on the gunfighter, but so was the pain from his earlier fight with Gold. As the two walked, William tensed his hand and relaxed it. He controlled his breathing, clear attempts to keep his Shellshock and pain in check, but both attempts were failing. The pain was becoming too much. Taking a moment to stop, he took the rifle off his back and laid it against the wall. He then moved his hands up towards his torso. William took off his jacket and placed it on top of the rifle, using the rifle band as a makeshift coat hanger. He followed this action by taking off of his blood-stained button-up shirt, with each movement, William took no notice or care towards Starbi, but instead only focused on the wound and the memories that laid within his head. Damnit William, you almost killed him. Hell, why is he still here? Why did I even talk to him about my past, this is rookie mistake. He thought to himself as he finished taking off his shirt, showing his lean torso which was covered by scars from battles of the past, his dogtags hanged loosely around his neck, no longer kept in place by his shirt.\n\nThe scars covered his back, chest, sides, and his upper arms, on the shoulder that Starbi touched in his attempt to comfort William their laid a clear bullet scar, that was still healing, and a scar of a blade which came from a trench raider. The scars that laid across his body were small and many but deep in the skin, but there were two large ones that seemed out of place. The first was a large gash surrounded by a dozen smaller ones that laid on his left hip, and the scars traveled up from his hip to the bottom of his ribs. The scars resembled that which came from shrapnel. The second out of place scar was one on his neck, hidden by the collar of his shirt. This was a smaller scar, a bullet wound, on the right side of his neck. Despite the showing of his scars, William continued to take no care or notice of Starbi. His hands moved with precession as he took the now blood-soaked tie and set it ablaze with his hands. He then grabbed the coat tail of his jacket and tore strips of the fabric to use as bandages, using the strips of fabric he wiped away the blood from the wound and with his other hand reached onto his belt for a bullet.\n\nWith bullet in hand, he placed the tip of the bullet between his teeth and separated the casing from the bullet, he then poured the gunpowder onto the wound and dropped the empty casing onto the floor, reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the Trench Lighter and sparked a flame, and suddenly the powder caught a blaze, effectively cauterizing the wound. \"Fuck!\" Were the only words that came from his mouth followed by a low growl, his tone showed that he was in pain doing this action. Nearly falling over and dropping his lighter from the pain, William reached out his hand and used the wall to keep his balance, the sound of his tags hitting eachother echoed throughout the tunnel, taking a moment to regain his composure he put the lighter into his pocket and continued his work by using the leftover strip as a bandage to wrap around. From these actions, it was clear that William had training and experience. William took a moment to regain his balance and thoughts, finally taking notice of Starbi. He spoke with a cold, dead tone, \"How much longer is this walk?\" He asked as he placed his shirt back on and buttoned it back up, once again hiding his scars. He reached down, wincing in pain, and picked the casing off the floor placing it into his pocket, standing back up and regaining his balance he reached towards his jacket and placed it back on. Now finally looking at Starbi, meeting his eyes, there was a clear expression of pain and weariness in his eyes, as he slinged the rifle back over his shoulder and continued to stare at the starborn, wordlessly his left hand reached for his cigarette pack and placed one into his mouth." }, { "author": "Endeven Dioscuri", "message": "Endeven uses his new move, quasar temporis, to skip irl time to where the festival is over\nAlso he uses quasar locus: banish to destroy the brain of that guy jenova" }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "Starbi remained walking behind the cowboy, nothing but a small smile on his face as he looked to the ground. He was in thought, specifically remembering what he had said to William before the first time Starbi had upset William. Those words were in an easy battle against the relatively fresh memories of the aftermath of both times Starbi tried to console William, and how it ended in Starbi being threatened one way or another. In the end, Starbi's thoughts of hope easily won against those memories, now buried under a veil of trust. \n\nStarbi stopped due to his friend William stopping in his tracks. Watching as William took the rifle off of his back to lay it against the wall and then began to take off his coat and shirt. Starbi looked at William's face, he didn't have much of a notable expression besides the familiar stern expression on his face. Along with the dog tags for a moment, Starbi then took notice of a scar on William's shoulder, remembering it as the same shoulder he placed his hand on, maybe that's why William responded like that, Starbi's eyes looked away for a moment, thinking due to a cold drop of guilt, wondering that maybe it was his fault for scaring William like that.\n\n With those thoughts discarded, Starbi then began to think about other things, something about where the two are exactly. Now focused on something else, Starbi decided to take out his phone with the intent of trying to discern where the two are right now, and for an exit out of this metro. In the meantime, Starbi wondered about maybe listening to some music, but his line of thought was interrupted by William's loud swearing. Starbi turned to look at William struggling to keep his balance, in instinct, Starbi jolted and then took a step a few feet closer to William.\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"Are you okay?\" ☆]\n\nHe asked, worried for William. Starbi watched as William thankfully regained his posture. It was then that William had spoken to Starbi, asking how long until the two would be out of here. \n\n[☆ \"Oh! Uh...\" ☆]\n\nStarbi then looked back to his phone, making his way to an application on his phone, the phone acting as a source of light within the metro. Trying to read the two's location, Starbi responded.\n\n[☆ \"Well, I'm not exactly sure. We're what some would call a metro! It's kind of like a maze with set routes for trains to go to different places. So we may come across some different paths if we keep walk—!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi spoke, before stopping in the middle of his sentence, as he got an idea that he thought may help the two find who William was looking for. \n\n[☆ \"Wait! We're looking for that girl who took the koi fish, right? I think I know how we can find her somehow! We can find her as long as we just keep going north!\" ☆]\n\n```\nStarbi responded, looking at William, his face lit up with joy with his new idea, Joyful Aura taking hold of a strong presence, washing away the awkward tension between the two. As Starbi turned his head to his right, pointed down the path the two had been taking when he mentioned the word north." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\". . .THAT ONE CONCERNS ME. I AGREE WITH THE ASSESSMENT OF THE FARM ANIMAL. IT IS UNSAFE HERE.\"]\n```" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "``\"Yes, I think we should go now.\"`` Ha plainly agrees with Kuouo's idea, sensing Endeven's approaching footsteps. Of course— he must've wanted his item back, the Bo Kanpakua heirloom that was given in their exchanged agreement. Such a thing may've been forgotten by the swordswoman had she not been in her enhanced state, but that wouldn't be a problem here. She removed the stranger's staff from her sword's sheathe, having safely kept it in there for the duration of the battle, and held it out towards Endeven's general direction so as to allow him to take it back. ``\"Here.\"``\n\nSalhaeja had a couple of things to think about and/or address, of which required them Not Being here to do so in an ideal scenario. That ever so-interesting conversation with Endeven and revealing misinformations, but also the fact that his mana was likely depleted at the moment and wasn't fit to do battle with whatever exactly that black amalgamation was that shared their company. He possessed the nature of their concurrent enemy, yet had not been on his radar, nor their newfound ally as far as he knew. Focusing on one at a time would serve them well, anyway, especially when better prepared to handle them. The goat had a tournament to get back to playing in, as well as whatever mysteries that interested him regarding the Koi. There was value in its knowledge, apparently. He considered the possible dilemma that Gold, a momentary friend in combat was facing, but decided that the elusive Fyodor would keep him safe for his interests. That one. . . It'd be wise to keep an eye on him from afar, and he intended to do so.\n\n_ _\n``\"Where should we leave too?\"`` Ha asked, as if inquiring both Kuouo and Endeven. Salhaeja was uncertain if they'd be willing to align themselves furthermore then this meeting, but it ultimately didn't matter too much. Endeven's goals were the priority being they most aligned with the swordswoman, but Kuouo still had means of being critical support regardless of what he did. There was still much to be done at this festival despite the hours passed, much to be addressed and combated sooner or later as per obligation of the Hunting Agency. The job had hardly begun, and now was not the time to get complacent. Powerful words to be exchanged, principal threats to be discovered, intense battles to be waged like clockwork in a facet that echoed what being a hunter was about, not that Ha herself was the type to care about that. Such things merely were the nature of Sal's agenda." }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "Watching as Starbi suddenly took steps closer, William instinctively placed his hand onto his revolver, hand tensed and ready to draw, but upon hearing him ask if he was okay, his hand relaxed but still placed on the six shooter. Listening to what Starbi said about the path to take and being told what a metro was, he began to think. Jesus, he's just like a kid. I just held a gun on him and threatened him, but he's still offering help. And so joyful while doing it, too. I'm a godamn fool. He thought to himself as he softly nodded his head and lifted his left hand to light the butt of his cigarette. As the flame appeared in his hand and the smoke began to fill the air, the flame vanished and he proceeded to hold the cigarette between his fingers, William took a long thoughtout drag before removing his hand and dropping it to his side, cigarette still between his fingers. Looking away from Starbi to prevent the smoke from being pushed into his face, William exhaled, watching the smoke fade into the air as it exited his lungs. He stayed silent for a bit, the expression of thought ever present on his face, he then looked down the tunnel that Starbi pointed towards and then down to his hands, one still gripping the handle of his revolver and the other holding the lit cigarette. He watched the faint glow as it flickered, and smoke came from the ashes. His breathing sounded calm, eyes filled with thought but face expressionless. It was then he spoke, voice calm and stoic, \"I always hated these things when i was younger. Look kid, I don't know why you're helping me.\" His head moved up to look at Starbi's eyes. \"I just held a six shooter on you and threatened you just a bit ago. Either you're batshit crazy or you truly are naive.\"\n\nThe last few words had a hint of concern in his voice but he continued on, \"Word of advice. Don't trust me kid, I'm about as shifty and quick as a rattlesnake. You'll either end up dead or in prison if you stick with me. Dead is the most likely.\" His words rang with honesty and truth. His eyes were filled with weariness as he spoke these words to the starborn." }, { "author": "Starbi", "message": "A few seconds passed, as the starborn kept his determined pose, keeping his optimistic expression. A few more seconds passed without some form of response to William, Starbi's determined pose vanished, turning to William with a confused expression due to his silence. Starbi kept staring before William turned to him and spoke, what William said were words of confusion from his end, how he was confused as to why Starbi would still be offering help despite everything that happened so far. \n\nBut then, William offered some form of advice to Starbi, warning that trusting William would only reward him with death, or imprisonment. With these words of advice, a sense of nostalgia phased through Starbi, it felt like the conversation with Endeven. However, Starbi responded with a small shake of his head, a smile on his face returning.\n \n\n```\n[☆ \"Well, I guess that you can think of it like that!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi responded with confidence,\n\n[☆ \"To me, all I see is just me helping out a friend! I don't think there's anything wrong with that! Plus, I'm sure that things are gonna be okay!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi assured, keeping a determined smile on his face.\n\n[☆ \"Whatever happens, I'll take my chances! I'm gonna help you get out of here! I'm confident that everything will be okay! I'm still here smiling, so I'm sure that I'm doing something right!\" ☆]\n\nStarbi added with confidence before he regained his determined pointing pose, only now was he pointing at William. As Starbi pointed at him, a breeze of Joyful Aura flowed through William's direction, possibly washing away any sort of turmoil he had.\n\n[☆ \"There are people like me who believe in you, so I'm sure you should believe in yourself too!\" ☆]\n```\nStarbi assured, keeping his smile. Although his words may have been a little bit inconsistent as a response to William's words, it was clear that he was trying to reassure William that nothing bad would happen." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Like machine gun fire, the vengence-filled menace's punches reverberated through the south from the sheer impact of his flurry against the magic barrier. Kuouo, staring at beast out of the corner of his eye, snapped his gaze back over to the swordswoman agreeing with his own sentiment. The bandit nodded quickly in affirmation, turning towards Endeven to see if he, too, agreed with the notion to get the fuck up outta Dodge. However, as Ha began to raise a question the bandit didn't have the answer to quite yet, Kuo immediately felt an instinctual pressure lock onto him. This unpleasant feeling compelled the bandit to glance back towards the magical barrier that encircled Fyodor and Gold. Outside its perimeter, amethyst, leering eyes pierced the darkness towards the caprine before being consumed by vantablack. In what seemed like a flash, the bandit was already three meters away from where he was initially standing, fire dancing below his paws before Infernium was sent forth from its sheathe on pure reaction.\n\n```\n\"—!! The fuck!?\"\n```\n\nKuouo grimaced, his paw immediately stopping Infernium's momentum forward before it collided with Stan's chest. The bandit wondered if his instinctual attack would have even worked, considering his opponent's rather sturdier build — At least, that's what he could infer, considering Stan didn't seem to be fazed whatsoever from wailing on such a sturdy magical barrier. Nevertheless, Kuouo recalled Infernium back into his paw, still at the ready as the beast introduced themselves in a... Brooding? Edgy? Yeah, definitely edgy manner.\n\n```\n\"... Yeesh, someone's been readin' too much manga.\" The bandit muttered to himself before also straightening his posture from a fighting position. \"So yer name's Stan and yer takin' control of yer brother's body, who — and lemme see if I got this right — tried t' beat the shit outta me while I was riddled with bullet wounds and now wants to be all buddy-buddy with me even if I dipped out on our lil peace-treaty discussion back with the cowboy.\"\n```\n\n\nKuouo's eye twitched a bit in disbelief. If it were anyone else within Terra Sancta, he'd immediately call 'bullshit!' But... Something about Stan being so unapologetically edgy coupled with the sudden orange chains that held his body from unleashing — angel knows what kind of strength — Made the statement hold some weight. The bandit crossed his arms with the hilt of Infernium still comfortably hidden within the folds.\n\n```\n\"Suuuuuuuuuuure. Fiiiiiiiine.\" Kuouo hung his head to the right and lightly smacked his lips before sighing. \"Arright, if yer real about this, then first things first, y'can call me Kuouo.\" He stated, offering the first leafling of an olive branch. \"And if ya wanna make things all amicable and what not, then ya both gotta promise not t' go after me, the fish, my friend Ha, or our acquaintance Endeven 'ere.\" \n```\n\nKuouo hesitantly held out his left paw yet his sharp eyes peered into Stan's face. Although nothing but darkness enveloped what would be the Devourer's eyes, it was almost as if Kuouo was directing his words towards Max instead of Stan. If anything, this meant that at the very least, there'd be one less person on his fluffy tail — ``Hell, maybe the cowboy won't even shoot me if he happens t' see me again...`` The bandit smirked, swapping Infernium over to his right paw and holding out his left.\n\n```\n\"We can even shake on it. Howzzat?\"\n```\n\n``\"Well, guess what Raven said was true. I am a fuckin' idiot sometimes.\"``\n\nKuouo's grip on Max's hand was not completely shattered, but it continued to fracture the longer Max held on. Indeed, with such a steel grip and no means to pull back, the bandit's heart raced as pain rushed to his paw, feeling an instinctual urge to buckle at the knees — However, and more importantly, two seconds of contact had already passed, putting Kuo's possession of the Koi in danger. With a pained grimace and determination in his eyes, mana surged through Kuouo's body. With SOUL MANIFESTATION still in effect, raw flames began igniting around his forearm, flaring up for a split second before internalizing once more. Grinding his teeth, the bandit managed to quickly circulate mana in his paw. The internal reinforcement was quite imperfect, but for the moment he had managed to utilize it, it reduced further injury to great effect.\n\n``3 and a half seconds have passed.``\n\nKuouo quickly stabbed Infernium. Not into Stan's iron-like flesh, but rather, in-between their clasped hands in order to leverage Kuo's paw from Stan's. Steel-like flesh against SOUL-enchanted steel glowing a bright orange, Kuouo managed to strengthen his arm further, yanking his paw away and blazestepping backwards about three meters to where he was previously, sharply inhaling through his teeth. The bandit grunted, a bit annoyed that he ate both of his Medeian gryos and that the Royal Physician was more than a bit far away. Once again, he was pitted up against this opponent at a disadvantage.\n\n```\n\"Ggh, bastard. I'unno what I was thinkin'.\" Pain radiated from his palm, to his wrist, all the way up to his ulna, but he had managed to dash away with only a few hairline fractures in his paw. \"... Though I'd rather break my hand tryna make amends rather than gettin' shot from 50 yards out.\" He sighed to himself, rubbing his paw against his tanktop and slightly whining. Nevertheless, he readied himself for Stan's next move, unconcerned about landing a blow on the Devourer but rather his innate durability — The likes of which the bandit had seldom seen.\n```" }, { "author": "William Rojas", "message": "As he listened to Starbi speak and point towards him, his expression changed from confusion to one of surprise and back to confusion. He softly nodded his head and brought his left hand back to his mouth to take another drag off his cigarette, blowing the smoke to the side so Starbi wouldn't be hit in the face by it, William took a moment to think, his stance softened and so did his eyes, visibly affected by whatever aura Starbi surrounded him. He then began to speak, \"Jesus you're naive but you're alright I guess. You remind me of this kid I knew, he's gone now but he was nice. Even during the revolution he always held a smile on his face, he was a good memory during hard times.\" His voice sounded somber but also proud. Proud to have someone such as him in his group. He then turned back around and walked down the direction that Starbi indicated would lead to his destination. He spoke, his tone suggested he was happy even if slightly, \"C'mon we're burning midnight oil. Hurry up the pace, we got a lady to find.\" He said as his pace quickened." }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "That's okay. Even if the circle hadn't been constructed, Gold had already formulated a plan- his ignoring of the devourer was not absolute. There was a way around him.\n\n\".... Ya' gotta give me more insurance than that.\" He speaks directly, \"What, with th' threatenin' 'n'at; not ta' mention the fake accusations.\"\n\nSo it was confirmed, then, that Fyodor had not seen absolutely Everything, but additionally had made incorrect guesses. Or, maybe not guesses, but just false accusations in attempt to discredit Gold. In that case, then, it would be wise to not seek moving to another location — keeping people Around To witness it seemed the best course of action.\n\n...\n\nGold turns, watching the interaction for a split second between the Devourer and the goat man, before swiftly resetting his attention back to Fyodor. \n\n`That was fuckin' weird...`\n\n\"I ain't trust ya'.\" He states, giving the man another look up and down. \"I say anythin', 'r... Feed int' this..- whateva' ya' sayin', how do I know ya' gonna uphold th' deal?\"\n\nBefore, of course, once again turning his head at the sound of Stan's bellowing about whatever deal he had just turned down. Best to make at least Some Kind of ally if the going gets tough." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "Each time one of Stan's fists hammered against the arcane barrier, he could feel its thinness and the reverberation of his own strength, impacting, against what felt like like an incongruously-durable glass window. For a barrier made on the fly, its strength was quite remarkable—especially considering how contradictive to its own sturdiness the sensation of striking against it felt. What held the boundary together — the magical shield still physically separating the two — was Fyodor's hand, which remained outstretched about halfway, unfurled and held toward Stan as the latter continued his assault on the barrier. His pale eyes, slightly slit open, glared toward the antagonistic force crashing against his construct, a degree of focus necessitated by force of the assault.\n\n```\n\"I'll deal with you later, I said.\" Fyodor said, his eyes closing. A small series of cracks fractured across the surface of the barrier the moment the pale light of his gaze was hidden.\"𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳.\"```\n\nAnd just like that barrier, the veneer Fyodor had been putting up began to crack. There was a distinguishable sense of ire that had surfaced upon his face, his brow furrowed as a strong tension wrought by hostility began to form in his presence. The remembrance of everything he had been taught — every word Engrained Into him — began to pound, repetitively, like a chant in his mind.\n\n_ _\n`you... Aberration... Vessel of chaos... Monstrosity... Enemy... Enemy... Enemy...`\n\n```\n\"This isn't a deal.\" Fyodor made a declaration, as his attention began to shift away from Gold. In a way, though his patience was running thin, much of the vehemence that was being summoned from him was alleviated by its redirection toward the true subject of his ire: that embodiment of chaos——the 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙢 stood beyond both him and Gold.\"𝑰 am all that is withholding your disqualification. I'm not going to bargain with you.\"```\n\nHe gazed at Stan — who was now close and conversing with Kuouo — and took a step forward, flicking his hand upright, over his shoulder, arcane light dazzling into existence at his side. The light spread thin into a series of two-dimensional algorithms, geometric shapes and esoteric texts, the span of a magic circle beginning to form and expand behind him.\n\n`...Disgusting...`\nThe notion that that he had already overstayed his welcome had already emerged in Fyodor's mind minutes ago. He wasn't supposed to be here for more than a small visit — to end the fight, acquire information, and to relay the rules — then disappear, back into his distant, invisible state of arbitration. Gold's withholdance of the key piece of information he was searching for set into motion this whole series of circumstances that further and further tested his ire, stalling long enough that the situation grew increasingly more distasteful—crowded, murky, Disorderly. But what brought him to his limit was the emergence of something that forced a response from his hand: something he considered an affront even simply Existing.\n\n_ _\nA *`SOUL OF CHAOS.`* \n\nWith Stan's emergence, his animosity reached its acme.\n\n```\n\"Haetae.\"\n\"Come out.\"```" }, { "author": "Haetae", "message": "A silhouette broke from the magic circlet, a three-dimensional object emerging from a two-dimensional projection. The surface of the magical circle — a portal — was perpendicular to Fyodor himself, as a hand surfaced from the light of the geometry at its centerpoint. Her leg came second: the form of a shorter woman, long, periwinkle hair extending as bangs along her brow, the majority of its volume captured in a bun tied by a black bow behind her head. A dark, desaturated-blue mana was already surging off her form as she arrived." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"New directive.\"\n\"We're taking control of this fucking 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴.\"```\n\nFyodor slid his hands through his hair as he began to approach Stan, though still talking.\n\n```\n\"Three unidentified combatants in the distance. They're not on the 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩. Otheruniversals.\"\n\"Contain the collateral damage. Do not engage with them. If I enter combat, return to me.\"```" }, { "author": "Haetae", "message": "\"The 'list'...?\"\n\"Mm.. Okay. Gotcha...\"\n\nShe did not give a spirited response, but seemed understanding nonetheless. With a single bound forward, the woman had already burst into a sprint that far exceeded human capabilities, propelled forward by her incredibly superhuman strength. She had begun to take the tail of Sasori, Manolo, and Hikaru, her mana compressing about her body into what seemed like water-like droplets of condensation. But before one could even fully visually confirm her appearance, she had already treaded deep and disappeared into the darkness of the derelicted district of the city." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "```\n\"You've got ten seconds, thief. This is the last time I ask you: where's the briefcase?\"```\n\nFyodor was already well beyond Gold — probably some five-to-eight meters' distance from him — yet still maintained the strongness of his tone and in the assurance that he would disqualify him if he was dissatisfied with his answer; he was confident that he still possessed complete control over the situation, regardless of where he stood. But now he was approaching Stan, as though to enter an engagement.\n\n```\n\"...An enemy of everything we work toward...\" he muttered, as one would a mantra.\n\"...You're the enemy of... The ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ I've been building.\"```\n\nThere was hardly anything more antagonistic to a man with affiliations like Fyodor than an agent of Chaos.\nThere was a great reason that the O.S.A was contracted as one of the major defense forces of this Festival.\nThey were here to keep those very cataclysms in check—those like the one now standing before him.\nBut it seemed as though there was something more that fueled the agent's unhindered resentment — it was almost comparable to a religious fervor.\n\n*```\n\"Catenā me operibus tuīs supernīs.\"\n\"𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍 — LEVEL 7.\"```\n\nMagical circles began to manifest in series behind the blonde-haired man, creating a heptagonal formation that effervesced with a potent, white light. The chains had not yet been made manifest, though seemed ready to erupt into existence at any given moment: they were restrained, the magicks that would give them form condensing deep within the theoretical space that gave form to all Fyodor's spells. The algorithmic texts upon their surface glowed effulgently behind Fyodor, shifting, spinning, like a halo suspended behind his back." }, { "author": "Jenova", "message": "Gets rid of Starweaver Vates (you decide how)." }, { "author": "Stan Bracken", "message": "As the great devourer used his hand to try and shatter the thief's bones, he'd notice how the goat would try to free his hand to get away from a broken hand. The method would work in having Stan let go of Kuouo's hand, but not before Stan pulled Kuouo closer and grabbed him by the neck with his other hand as he lifted him up into the air. Tightening his grip around the Bandits throat to start choking him out.\n\n\"First you take my brother's hat off his head and allow it to get stolen, actually NO! You tried to STEAL from him and tried to play it off! Then you got his hat stolen, and yet you STILL try to make a deal with us!? I should crush your throat to the size of a fucking PENCIL!\"\n\nYou could hear the anger in each of the devourers words, his bright amethyst eyes flaring up like a flame with each word. His body starting to twitch and shake with anger, pent up hatred that hadn't been let out in thousands of years all directed toward a singular individual in the current moment.\n\n`Kuouo.`\n\n\"I will use your corpse as a sleeping bag! Make your head into a mug! Use your fingers as toothpicks for when I EAT! YOUR! FLESH!\"\n\nHe still held the bandit in the air up until a sudden burst of rage hit him and in the moment he picked the raised the bandit and slammed him into the floor as hard as he could before finally letting go.\n \n`Stan... He's had enough. Just let him go, he's not worth it. Remember what mom had told us... What she taught us. Before she... Left us for good...`\n\n\"Find peace in yourself, when you can't see it in others. And forgive whoever, no matter the wrong done. I wretch hearing these words due to my very nature, my creation as something no more than a destroyer. A devourer. A catalyst for the death of millions.Yet I can't seem to get these words out of my memory, as if they've been etched into my very SOUL.\"\n\nStan stood still for a second while questioning his entire purpose, what he was, who he was. He was created as nothing more than a walking blackhole.\n\nA machine with a singular goal and purpose, or atleast that's what he thought he was. His entire purpose was shattered the moment he found a person who didn't suit his look on the people he saw for years on end, an anomaly which he had no way of knowing about. Max and his mother. Two people who changed his view on what people could be like, that everyone wasn't made to be anything specific could always change in time. It made him wonder, it made him ponder, it made him. Confused.\n\n\"I'll just kill him here and now! NO FORGIVENESS! NO MERCY!\"\n\n`STAN WAI-`\n\nBoth stopped as Stan's true eyes flared and up and looked to his side in confusion, he then slowly turned around and looked at Fyodor who was slowly approaching and made the devourers already growing hatred boil over.\n\n\"What the fuck do you want! First you said you'd deal with me later, now you wanna try something?! I'm not here to mess around, attack me and see what fucking happens I DARE YOU!\"\n\nThe devourers amethyst eyes flared up up more then ever before as he readied himself to fight, he didn't know what would happen if multiple people tried to attack at once but he wouldn't run like a coward. He's not a weakling who resorts to running away as unless it's a last resort.\n\n\"I will not be imprisoned again, not after all of these years! You can't make us go back to being nothing more the savages that need to be put in CHAINS!\"\n\n`Stan...`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "In the half-second of freedom granted to the bandit, Max Bracken attempted yet another devious grapple to the caprine's throat. Locked in and with movements as quick as greased lightning, Kuouo audaciously extended both of his arms outward and slipped under the Devourer's grasp, swiveling around behind Stand and quietly snickering before blazestepping away in the manner previously stated. After cursing to himself, inspecting his slightly broken left paw, and concerning himself over Stan's durability, the bandit glanced up, Infernium pointed at Stan with a sharp bravado and guised smirk coupled alongside it.\n\n```\n\"Ah well, it's really my fault that I thought someone with th' intelligence of an angry, drunk teenager would let bygones-be-bygones.\" Kuouo lightly snickered, tapping the temple of his own head with Infernium. \"... But I promise, by the end of this, the only thing you'll be eatin' is dirt!\" The bandit bluffed.\n\n```\n\nStan reverberated with a strong anger that would shake the world around him in any other anime, deeply focused on making sure the bandit would be eviscerated by the time he was done with him... So why did Kuouo persist in goading him? The bandit's pupil twitched to the side, diverting his attention to Fyodor* For a fraction of a second before locking back onto Stan. In Kuouo's mind, all he had to do was stall Stan and keep him in the general vicinity so the O.S.A. Agent could properly deal with the Cataclysm After finishing up his business with the psychic. Beyond his sight, Kuouo could hear a woman seemingly summoned from nowhere before absconding with new instruction to intercept whoever was on this 'list', followed by one last attempt at interrogating Gold. All the while, Stan stood in front of Kuouo, seemingly deep in conversation with Max and the own depths of his SOUL.\n\n```\n\"...? Those're some profound words, but what the HELL are ya talkin' abou—\"\n```\n\n```\n\"Catenā me operibus tuīs supernīs.\"\n\"𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍 — LEVEL 7.\"\n```\n\nFyodor, finally getting his priorities in line, began approaching Stan with binding magicks at the ready. The bandit let out a quiet sigh of relief, extinguishing the flames around his body and putting Infernium back into its sheathe while Stan was distracted by the O.S.A. Agent. Quickly dashing back over to Ha, Endeven, and the pink-haired mime that has yet to talk whatsoever.\n\n```\n\"Hey, so this'd be our second perfect chance to dip the fuck outta here if you wanna be real.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "\"Y' seem pretty sure of ya'self f' someone who didn' pay th' full attention...\" Gold grumbles, side-eying Stan — of course, his words weren't Meant For the beast, instead targeting Fyodor, but remaining on-guard just in case the barrier waned further. His eyebrows raise as the woman emerges, only grabbing a very small, swift, and blurry image of her visage - `Kinda cute.` - `but, 'm spoken for.` A quick correction. Such thoughts would get him in trouble if his other half were around to observe them!\n\nWatching now as the man turned his attention towards the Amazing Bulk, `'r whateva' that thing's name is`, Gold speaks once more \"On th' casino roof. I ain't gonna lug somethin' 'round that ain't useful 'r important...\" \n\nHopefully an answer good enough.\n\nEven despite this, his eyes continue scouring; locating his exit point should the situation get even hairier. `Still there...`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "You will be banished" }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "The swordswoman remained firmly stationary with her blade in her right-handed grip within a defensive position, sort of absent-mindedly looking around excluding meaningful analysis or thought process, much akin to a malfunctioning machine. She was somewhat perplexed with how the situation was progressing, and the lack of input or commentary from Salhaeja only served to reinforce this hurdle— her Misunderstanding Was not unusual in and of itself, especially in her Reversed State, but the silence from metal-entrapped companion was conversely strange. Talking was all he could do, literally.\n\nThe Slayer needed a moment to think about things, barring any interruptions from the would-be destructive forces nearby. Not Just His next move, either— more-so about what has happened thus far in general at the festival. Endeven had grown abnormally silent, and the farm animal yet again suggested they leave in light of his newly discovered rival being distracted by the untrustworthy Fyodor alongside his new cast member(s), friend and foe. He was correct, that said; if ever a good opportunity to make an exit amidst the growing chaos, it was now.\n\n_ _\nIf his warrior were to battle Stan, she would be outmatched. Considering that Endeven and Ha were unable to subdue the likes of Sable without great fortune, it stands to reason that battling the creature ahead of them would be a mistake, not to mention that clearly End's mana was significantly depleted— even without any notable SOUL techniques currently accessible, Sal could tell. The only reason he initially hesitated was because theoretically, Stan met the criteria of the sort of 'force' that they were supposedly hunting down here at the festival. However, after reconsideration, it was likely that although problematic, the fact that the creature had been Allowed To roam the streets of the celebration up to this point indicated that he was not a priority target, or perhaps not even a target to begin with. Moreover, Fyodor was preparing an attack sequence that The Slayer could uniquely discern as a highly refined form of old sorcery. While it was true that he was skeptical of the agent, Stan would most certainly suffer grave consequence assuming an extended combat scenario. The man's patience was waning, viewing the former as a pest to be exterminated among others. So, effectively speaking, he'll likely handle him in any case. Distrust remained, but that'll have to be monitored from afar. It Could Relate to why they were here.\n\n_ _\nThe issue that plagued his mind had little do with the aforementioned concerns, really. Salhaeja was starting to question whether he had Truly Prepared Ha enough for this setting. True, he blamed himself for the mishap with that teleporting rodent, but even so, if his wielder could not excel against her nor Stan, who's to say she'd stand a chance against greater enemies that no doubt were on the horizon? Was she simply not. . . Strong enough, yet? And to die here was a reality he could not accept, hardly even an inch towards his ultimate goal. What if he were to leave, right now? No longer did they have any obligation to the goat Medei, and Endeven seemed plenty capable on his lonesome, didn't he? It is only wise to give up when outmatched. A warrior knows that. . . Except that's not what she is anymore. She would only see it as failure, and nothing more nor in-between. But does he? Was coming here a mistake? It was already nightfall, and they hadn't even seen their supposed enemy yet. All this talk of neutralizing a threat that was still nowhere to be seen. . .\n\n_ _\n. . .But no, he wouldn't entertain the idea in spite of everything. Salhaeja refused to believe that she was too weak nor that their unclear mission was insurmountable, not until proven otherwise. It must've been that his own strategic ability had faltered thus far. For example, failing to detect or consider Sable's magical intuition during their blundered sneak attack. He Had to be better in his own role of putting her into successful positions. That was the problem, not her. A tactical, immediately correctable issue, and it was his job to discern the threat, too. Intangible responsibilities belong to him solely." }, { "author": "SALHAEJA", "message": "```ini\n[\"I HAVE DECIDED. WE ARE TO LEAVE, NOW.\"]\n```\nThe words of Salhaeja not only echoed through Ha's mind—but extended into Endeven's SOUL channel as well, insisting that they vacate the area at once aligned with Kuouo's suggestion. His moment of contemplation had wasted too much time, and regardless, he had come to a conclusion. This is where they had to be." }, { "author": "Ha", "message": "The swordswoman acknowledged the words of Salhaeja alongside the subsequent, specific instructions of where exactly she was to go directionally speaking and the restated layout of where she currently was. She turned to face the direction of Kuouo, her visionless gaze behind her sunglasses fixed on the entryway wall. She would lift her presently unused blade, pointing it vertically— and then, slowly, move it leftwards in the air, until she came to an abrupt stop, almost as if Told To do. Her sword would end up on somewhat smaller, climbable but still sizable Mesa building towering above the tunnelway. That was the rendezvous he suggested.\n\n``\"I think we can go there. I will go now.\"`` \n\nHa bluntly says to both Kuouo and Endeven— which was followed by her Bolting From towards a nearby wall, hopping upwards and using her legs to push off against said wall backwards, reaching the Alternating Wall, and then repeating this motion several times until completing her acrobatically inclined, video-game like exit, bouncing back and forth with urgency. Salhaeja suggested she 'use her agility', and this was her interpretation of that command. \n\nShe would only assume the two of them would follow her, but her telepathic friend would was capable of navigating any communication problems or related difficulties. For what it was worth, while taking on the Koi in and of itself was largely a selfish choice, the value of their resulting partnership with the goat Medei was vital. As for Endeven, they still had things to talk about. Old stories." }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "The agent's sharp gaze over his shoulder faded the moment what key information he sought had been divulged. From thenceforth, every thought regarding the man whom he once had deemed an utmost thorn in his side dissolved behind the chain of priority that now presented itself before him. His visage returned to his forefront and his eyes opened, pale-silver and aflare with the light of an astonishingly intense mana flow, a coded energy fuming palpably off his body. Wide-open and eerie in their unnatural color, his eyes were situated with an obsessive focus upon the form of the one whom he had challenged. That cataclysm—that __`SOUL OF CHAOS`__—before him... His own `SOUL` Cried out with such a forceful and honed animosity that it set the world around him into a blur, only allowing for the existence of himself, the magic he wielded, and the presence of an Enemy In his sight before him. He continued to march forward.\n\n```\n \"...enemy.\" ```\n\nThe O.S.A's existence is one currently operating under a simple pretense: to identify, control and exterminate the presence of temporal threats — black-`SOUL`Ed __`TEMPORAL BEASTS`__.\nBut those who are more familiar with its internal structure have come to understand that its origins do not come from as simple a place as its modern iteration. Before it was an association, it was a religious creed, possessing a single fanatical obsession that led them to that same end goal of total Extermination.\nWhile the presence of that creed has almost entirely faded away, there continues to exist evidences of its history still enduring within its ranks: the cinders of what fervor has yet to burn away.\n\n```\n\"Figire.\"```\n_ _\n\nHe now stood at about eight meters' distance from Stan. Without sparing his opponent further a word, Fyodor violently thrust both of his arms outstretched far ahead of himself, as all seven of the magic circlets hovering at his back hummed in unison, launching like streams of light directly in flow toward Stan. As they would enter about a meter's distance from him, they would rapidly shift course one-after-another, curving about and around him and then abruptly stopping, such that he would be positioned at the center of all seven with all of their flat faces directed straight toward him. They travelled with an impossible precision that allowed them to follow his every motion in real time — as sure and exact as the geometric glyphs inscribed upon their faces, they would remain in a perfect circle formation around Stan. Salhaeja had surmised rightly—Fyodor was not using a technique of his own contrivance, but rather an intensely refined form of an ancient sealing magic.\n\nPowerful silver chains spit forward from the hollow at the center of the two-dimensional magical circles: In effect, a chain was being launched at Stan from every side. The very same thing his Enemy Had voiced his rejection of, Fyodor would attempt to force upon him: enchainment, as though he were no more than a savage beast. He would not afford him even the opportunity to make the first move, each chain guided at high speed toward one of his appendages. \n_ _\n\nThey were launched with the intent to bind him at every point: two each were assigned with the purpose to wrap and bind his arms, one each to restrict the motion of both legs, and one with the intent to ravel about and strangle his throat. They were by no means individually unavoidable, but as a collaborative attack originating from each side, it would be incredibly troublesome to dodge all at once — moreover, dodging them a single time would not even guarantee that he would elude it fully, as they would Actively change trajectory mid-flight To remake attempts at restraining Stan. While he could theoretically overpower the wrapping force of a single chain — snapping even one outright was out of the question — if he allowed himself to be grabbed by the same limb by more than one chain, it would effectively be fully restrained; the magical circlets the chains originated from were anchored purposefully to resist his motion if he had been bound.\n\nThis was the Silver Loom: An inescapable weave of chains that had earned Fyodor his colored sobriquet amidst the echelons of O.S.A management." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "I might do a post for the metro line tomorrow if you guys need one\n\nIm skipping on a 36 hour cycle again" }, { "author": "x_fallcoffee_x", "message": "Well that's what we're doing" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "Just gimme a sec to cook" }, { "author": "Gold Key", "message": "With that conversation out of the way, and the O.S.A agent now focusing on taking down what could only be described as a spiky, darker version of whatever the hell that thing rampaging through a city was on the news a while back, Gold re-assesses briefly.\n\n`Ow.`\n\nOh yeah, Gold is bleeding. Because he's been shot. Right. There probably should have been much more haste put into his previous words and actions.\n\n`..... I ain't fuckin' dealin' with'at...` This Was An exhibition for Gold — his entry into the Koi Hunt to prove himself for something, or, rather, to someOne — but that would do him no good if he were to fall here. Maybe It would just be better to take the consequences.\n\nHe closes his eyes briefly, letting out another low growl of pain - `No.` This isn't the last he'd be in the Hunt, he just... Needs to lick his Wounds. The shard would have little use to him right now; attempting to grab it from the sorcerer who possessed it while still Near Fyodor would prove even more ineffective as well, as demonstrated previously. Then, of course, there's the matter of all of the Companions.\n\n`Can't risk that kinda' fight right 'bout now...` He takes in a shaky breath. If he tried to leave any other way right now, it would just cause that Cryptid To follow, even with the active resistance...\n\nBut, there Was Still a way.\n\nThe portal. The portal that Endeven had previously opened — connected, of course, to the Metro, was the escape route. It wouldn't take much. `'m that much closer...`\n\nCRcck– `Now–` As Fyodor summons the Silver Loom Against Stan, he lifts himself off the ground. His assailant now being fully preoccupied with whatever attack was going on- Gold of course not knowing the specifics-, it was the Perfect Time to leave. Within the span of just 268 milliseconds, he levitates himself fully into the portal, leaving the others to their own devices as he fucking Dips." }, { "author": "Stan Bracken", "message": "As the man threw his hands out Stan stepped backwards and got ready to hit the dash, but something stopped him right before he got out of the way as if he had remembered something.\n\n`Stan, if things get bad we need to try and escape or maybe make a deal. If those don't work, then I'll just have to switch with you or we'll need to come up with something else.`\n\n\"With how things are looking now... Only chance we got at not being imprisoned is a deal. To run away would just incriminate the both of us and make us a bigger target.\"\n\nDespite standing still and allowing the chains to get near him, his eyes still flared up and widened as they quickly surrounded him with incredible speed. He wasn't expecting them to be that quick, but to chain him up would be a bigger mistake than allowing him to get away.\n\n\"I warn you boy, trying to seal me away will only end with failure. You know not of my capabilities, of my strengths. My weaknesses, you do not know of the mistake you make by using these chains against me. A creature such as myself is not from this land, my host not born nor raised from it either.\n\nHe paused for a moment before stretching his arms to his sides as a bright amethyst smile formed on his face, for he knew that the chains would still bind him regardless of his words.\n\n\"But it seems your choice is already set in stone.\"\n\nAs the chains wrapped around his limbs, an eight handled wheel slowly formed above his head. Each chain wrapping around his limbs made it more and more visible, Stan's smile only widened as it fully formed above his head.\n\n\"I warn you boy, the longer you keep these chains up. The closer I get to breaking them off, even taking them off isn't a good idea now that you've used it against me of all people. Oh, and I wouldn't suggest killing me.\"\n\nHis face became a blank slate as a series of symbols appeared on his face, tho one last thing appeared on it. The hat.\n\n\"If you try to kill me, you kill my little brother along with me.\"" }, { "author": "\"Silver Loom\" Fyodor", "message": "Something peculiar was unfolding before Fyodor's eyes. There was an unusual tameness to the chaos before him; an unseemly amenability originating from the calamity whom he had enchained. The `TEMPORAL BEASTS`* Of the same purely-chaotic nature as the one before him never allowed themselves a moment of passivity; they lashed out violently at the idea of being chained up, destroying every hindrance along their path to spread the disparity pouring forward from their `SOUL`. Never before had Fyodor had such a monster attempt to convince him — Negotiate With him. \n\n```\n\"Stop.\"\n\"...Stop talking.\"```\n\nThe agent gave a simple dismissal of Stan's deal, his unusual eyes of faded-silver finally closing from their wide-open, dogmatic gaze. An air of hesitance engulfed Fyodor as his brow furrowed, and he appeared almost disturbed, speaking over him moreso out of an unwillingness to hear anymore than anything else.\n\n`...This isn't right.`\n\nIn perfect simplicity, most of what Stan had said did not make sense to Fyodor due to his lack of context. Yet the notes he had touched upon — of his so-called \"Brother\", warnings, weaknesses, and so forth — all held a strangely human tone. It was uncanny feeling, uneasy—revolting, almost—and yet provoked a response of what felt more like caution than rage.\n_ _\n\nBut his eyes did not lie.\nThey never did. \nThe Thing Standing before him was a walking calamity; something he had sworn he would never treat like a living being. He—it—was an enemy to be dispatched. \n\n`Don't try to play human with me, monster. I'll kill you.`\n\nAnger flared to the surface of Fyodor's face as he extended both hands out toward his constrained opponent, his eyes opening wide again as magic began to swell around both of his palms.\n\n```\n\"Die.\"\n\"𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙞..\" He incanted the second half of the spell that Stan had already been restrained in. But something was wrong—\n\"—Ghhk—!!\"```\n\nA series of runes of a fiery hue surfaced into light along Fyodor's neck, its texts identical to those inscribed across the surface of the magical circles he manipulated. Mana encircled his throat and constricted his breath, his hands lowering as his fingers felt across the searing-hot surface of the runes.\n\n`——Ridiculous!`\n`...I refuse to believe this...!`\n`I'm not thinking of that... Damn... Thing... As...!`\n_ _\n\nAn ire of exponentially-increasing heat filled his eyes as his face darkened with wrath. Yet his eyes shut closed, his breath was held fast, and he clenched his teeth...\n\n```\n\"...Release.\"```\n\nHe crossed his hands over one another as he spoke the short incantation, each of the silver chains disintegrating. The magic circles shrunk into nothingness, and, in the blink of an eye, Fyodor's expression had returned to neutrality, as though he had purposefully killed all his emotions. Simultaneously, each of the runes binding his neck faded away, as he lifted his right hand to rub against the cooling surface of his throat.\n\n```\n\"...I'll hear you out. But first—\"```\n\n`...I need to remove all these uncertainties.`\n\nHe outstretched his hand to his side. White mana sparkled into motion from his fingertips, as a Large, 4m-diameter magical circle appeared behind Endeven and Blossom, immediately hurtling toward them at over 120 km/h. Were they to \"Pass through\" The circle as it was thrust beyond them, they would immediately be transported elsewhere. Fyodor shifted the direction of his hand. Then another magical circle appeared behind Kuouo—a second glittering into existence behind Ha shortly after—both thrusting toward them simultaneously at the same speed following a half-second pause. Likewise, they would be transported to the same destination if they were swallowed up by the magical circles.\n_ _\n\nFyodor was taking the opportunity to remove the bystanders — potential Collateral damage, As he saw them; and as unwanted witnesses, also — immediately before speaking with Stan.\n\n```\n\"You. Who the hell are you?\"\n\"And what's your business with these stolen items? Answer me.\"```\n\nWith a motion of his wrist, the two magical circles that suspended the binding link enchaining the items in question — the hat and the revolver — hovered toward Fyodor, suspended at either of his sides. It was clear that he disdained even Speaking With Stan." }, { "author": "Stan Bracken", "message": "As the chains dissipated freeing the devourer, a dark purple smile flared up on his face as he glared at Fyodor. His amethyst eyes peered deep into Fyodor as if he were attempting to put a hole through the man with his eyes alone.\n\n\"Well to late now blondie, now that you've used that it's only a matter of time till it won't work on me again. I could kill you where you stand... But sadly I am still shackled by my...\"Brother's\" Will.\"\n\nThe expression that hard flared up seemed to diminish and return to a completely blank slate, the hood covered most of his face after the fact and left most other expressions unseeable.\n\n\"Hmm?\"\n\nHe raised a metaphorical eyebrow as he turned his head and watched the magical circles transport the other bystanders away to who knows where. It wasn't his problem, tho he still had to turn that yellow fur ball into a 5 star dish. He then turned back to Fyodor upon the questions being asked.\n\n\"Ay, stop acting high and mighty pal. I may be less powerful then I used to be, but I can still slap the hair off ya head like a damn wig you no neck Voldemort, head build like a poptart!\"\n\n`Stan stop saying those things, you'll get us sent to the afterlife-`\n\nStan stopped his verbal assault and straightened himself up, he then formed what was basically a movie on his face. It'd just show everything he was about to explain like a YouTube video.\n\n\"As you may have assumed by now, I am not of this world. When I was created I was nothing more the storm of hatred and malice, a creature of hunger and gluttony. I was known as the great devourer by my true siblings who then struck me down and sealed me away... Can't blame em really, I mean I was basically a sentient and malicious black hole. After like a few couple years... Or millions of years, knowing the time gets kinda funny when you're sealed in a shard but I digress. The fact is I was able to get free of my old prison and was able to catch ahold of a new vessel... Sadly it was a goody two shoes-\"\n\n`Hey!`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "You will be banished" }, { "author": "dreamstxr", "message": "Your wig is banished from ur hairline" }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "I posted yesterday you can't do anything to me\n\nAlso I'm out eating for Father's Day" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Im not like adam so i wont say hateful things\n\nYou cant gbe banished\n\nThe rest will still be banished\n\nYou will be banished" }, { "author": "Dual-Swords Banished Knight from Castle Sol", "message": "The Twin Swords Banished Knight from Castle Sol teleports behind Kuouo, unleashing the ten-hit combo and killing him from full HP." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Think twice before you cross me, worm." } ]	367.5	100,271
449.472222	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`\"...All right\".`\n\nThe Medeian Royal Physician, who had now been attending Max for roughly twenty minutes — five longer than he had initially intended to take with the procedure, an extra allocation of time needed merely for him to adapt to Max's somewhat unusual biology — concluded his check-up and subsequent healing of the participant's major wound: His lack of an entire arm. It was an incredibly impressive thing to watch from an outside perspective, and perhaps one even moreso impressive to Max himself, as, without pain and with so little time to work with, the Physician constructed him an entirely new arm utilizing incredibly-advanced healing magicks woven within minutes, bringing forth a new arm of flesh and bone with as full and comprehensive of functionality as the last.\n\n`\"With this, you may continue your battles. I would typically recommend a patient spend at least two days calibrating themself to the sensations of the new arm,\"` The avian Medei placed a claw to his beak, `\"But we simply haven't the time for that.`\n\n`\"I will leave you with a mild stimulant that should accelerate the process, and that is the extent of what I can do for you. Good luck, warrior.\"`\n\nWith a tap on Max's arm, a subtle wave of mana flared throughout his musculature and vascular system, his heartbeat somewhat accelerating and the sensations throughout the new arm becoming more pronounced; more familiar. Continuing forward, Max would be admitted once more onto the stage of the Margo Aeternitatis." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "A mage.\nA warrior.\nA prodigy.\nA monk.\nA king.\n\nSoren was known by many names and known for many things: be it his monstrous talent, his incredible magical affinity, or the sheer extent of his rate-of-growth. He was known by many names and known for many things, yet of those names and things, \"Personable\" He was known not by.\n\nGolden mana flickers from his irises as he stares aglance, surveying the many hundreds of people in the crowds of the Margo Aeternitatis, cheering, chanting, yelling, some with smiles on their faces, others concerned, and others disappointed. The spectacle glimmered, clear, within his irises, as his face almost invisibly shifted into a frown, his arms folded behind his back as he stepped onto the marble arena and past its magical barrier.\n\n`...Crude. Vulgar.`\n*`\"...It's repulsive.\"`\n\nHe muttered under his breath, a tinge of anger flaring within his expression as he closed his eyes and brought focus back to his mind. `Do not let it get to you. Do not let anger overtake your mind. Remain balanced in all things,`* He exhaled, deeply, the world around him and all the noise with it disappearing from the eyes of his mind.\n\n...But it still Irked Him.\n\nThey cheered and they chanted. They smiled and they frowned. They cried and grumbled—and for what?\n\nThis was all just a show to them.\n\nCombat—Violence—was not a spectacle. It was something only to be used in necessity, the necessity now being...\n\n`...To learn.`\n\nThat was the only reason Soren was here.\nTo learn.\nHe alone was one who stepped past the rules of his creed to pursue greater enlightenment; greater knowledge; greater learning. And for these purposes alone would he pursue such mundane and fruitless ends as martial combat — not for the purpose of a spectacle, but for the purpose of Evolution.\n\nHis eyes fixed on Max, seeking to draw out what influenced him — what inspired him to fight." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Soren enters the battle unarmed. Max may not take on any extra weapons besides his Dark Blade.\nMax Bracken is chosen to start the fight via coin toss." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He was definitely surprised they had been able to bring his arm back, but he didn't need to think of that now what he did need to think of was how he would attack Soren, he had changed the chain and blade weapon back into the arm blade but he wouldn't use it unless he truly needed to and he was definitely ready to switch out for the chain weapon if need be, he wanted to fight on even grounds with Soren so it'd be all the more entertaining for him, but he started to feel off for a second, as if something was telling him to be what everyone had called him in his old world, to be as brutal as possible and end Soren like he did all the others, he then shook his head and tried to think of something else.\n\n\"Ok seems like you are unarmed so I won't use my blade unless I'm forced to since I wouldn't want it to be unfair, even if there's a chance you're stronger than me.\"\n\nHe had to remember he wasn't doing this for the hell of it, he was doing it to keep a promise and he'd be damned if he broke it just because he didn't feel like fighting, but then it spoke to him again, it's voice telling him to destroy Soren, turn him to nothing but dust. Max's smile slowly became crooked and his hands began to twitch as he listened to the voice, but then he snapped back and tried to focus on the fight itself.\n\nHe started to absorb the air around him before jumping high up into the air and pulling his left fist back, he then rocketed down towards Soren using air jets and went in for a full force punch which would definitely hurt if it landed." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Soren maintained his steady breathing as he maintained his steady gaze on Max, both one of two halves that formed the whole of his complete focus. Observation and meditation — taking in information as he took in air; letting that breath linger as what was observed settle in; and in an exhale, dismissing both. All things start from a single Breath, and from a single Breath does the mind, body, and spirit take in the nourishment required to fulfill their duty. From a single Breath, a hundred thoughts can pour forward. From a single Breath, a hundred spells are manifest. From a single Breath—\n\nHis opponent was now close in approach, the air shifting slightly around Soren as the presence made tangible by both his gaze, stance, and passive aura of his mana all simultaneously and subtly changing, that Breath coalescing as the atmosphere grew turbulent around him. His irises glow alight as Max approaches and Soren seems to confirm something — that invisible, driving force that served as the impetus for Max to march forward — squinting, slightly, his conclusion indiscernable from his expression alone. \n\n`The world flows in, through the core, and it nurtures the blood—`\n`—a breath in, a breath out: exhale, and blow forth a tempest.`\n\n`\"Gale.\"`\n\nHis hand outstretched, his palm aimed straight for Max as he approached. Invisibly, an intense blast of air would launch itself toward Max, aimed to hit him directly in the head during his approach, its speed incredible and made all-the-more-alarming by the fact that it was predicated by no more than a whisper from Soren, the spell spontaneously bursting forth from a disruption in the atmosphere with nothing in terms of a visual telegraph. The blow was not enough to do lasting damage, but was instead intended to knock Max directly out of his offensive motion, enough for Soren to not need to dodge in the first place; it hit with staggering force, like a strong straight from a boxer. If it did come down to it, howe" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "The voice got louder as he neared Soren, it yelling at Max to not hold back against Soren to use everything he had, it told Max to rip him apart, eat his heart infront of him and as Max listened a crooked smile started to form on his face, his eyes getting wider as if he were ready to punch a hole through Soren's chest.\n\n\"Wait What?\"\n\nThen the blast of air hit him and sent him back about five meters, the smile disappearing from his face and his eyes going back to normal as he landed on his feet and stared at Soren, he was surprised as he didn't hear anything or see anything happening other then Soren moving his lips and suddenly he gets knocked back by something, but then Soren spoke about the vow, Max stood there and let him speak about it as he was somewhat intrigued by the conditions of it and how it could benefit the user, it was definitely something new to him and if he could learn about something he might as well listen.\n\n\"Well since you have to tell me about that I guess I'll tell you that there is a two foot blade that I can shoot out of anywhere on my body but I mainly keep it in my right arm, I like to keep things even in a fight, so if an opponent tells me their capabilities, I'll tell them mine, and just know I haven't really figured out magic just yet so you won't see any from me.\"\n\nAs he finished speaking he used air jets to try and speed over to Soren in a short amount of time and if he was able to get close enough he'd attempt to kick Soren in the side with his left leg and used an air jet to add onto the force of the hit." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Following a deep breath, Soren cracked his neck, squinting at Max's reciprocation in his revelation of information. The divulgement of a technique in the absence of any implied compensation for doing so seemed innately a foolish idea, especially on a field of mortal combat. With what an enigma Soren's character remained, it was hard to tell whether he was impressed by or apathetic with Max attempting to even the field between the two.\n\n`\"Hmph.\"`\n\nHis `SOUL`, once manifest before his opponent, returned to its reticency within his body. Soren locks eyes with Max, forming his fingers into a handsign as his opponent began to speed toward him, fully prepared for his attack following his brief speech.\n\n`\"The technique I showed you earlier—` —he felt the winds shifting around him, the air propelled from Max's legs, and reacted likewise, swaying and ducking around Max's kick— `\"—was known as VAYU.\"`\n\nMana and air swirled around Soren's right fist, air densely packed around it — a spell.\n\n`\"It allows me to launch and hone the atmosphere into extremely dense packets of air, generating either blunt or piercing force.\"`\n\nHis fist curled in as a hook, launching towards the left side of Max's abdomen. If it were to impact, all the air swirling around Soren's fist would detonate, releasing an outward burst of air that significantly increased the yield of the punch." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He had been hearing that sinister voice ever since he finished his battle with Sofja, it's constant yelling beginning to agitate Max as he went and tried to end this battle with as little casualties as possible but it wouldn't allow him to be so kind in this fight, he was starting to reach his breaking point quicker than usual because of it constantly yelling at him to just turn into beast he could be, to destroy Soren already and just go to the next match but he didn't want to end this match with another brutal beat down, he wanted to end this without any shattered bones or broken limbs, he didn't wanna become just another murder monster.\n\nUpon Soren ducking under his kick, Max didn't have enough time to dodge as he was already to close and so he was hit in his left side and upon taking the hit he used air jets from his hands to get ten meters away from Soren, he then held his side and breathed heavily while looking at Soren.\n\n\"Yeesh that was a damn good punch, I see that you tell me something about yourself again so I have to tell you something about myself, well I guess one of my better capabilities is my physical strength, I've tested and I've found out I can lift up to 2,000 pounds at max.\"\n\nHe began to twitch as the voice started yelling again, the blade in his right arm shooting out as a crooked grin started to form on his face again, he didn't make another move as he wanted Soren to come at him this time but his mind was becoming more and more unstable as the voice grew louder and louder." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Soren blew a deep breath from his mouth following his punch, sparing Max little a show of emotion besides a simple squint of his eyes in response to his comment on the strike. It seemed there was a subtle aura of pride that encompassed the magician-monk even in the littlest of his actions, yet that pride was not one of self-accomplishment; simply strength of character, almsot haughty in nature. As though he was... Loftier, or in some part thought of himself as elevated above the world around him.\n\nAir flowed in, it lingered for some time, and it was let out — a single breath. All things form from a single breath, and branch forth from the act of breathing.\n\nAs Max retreated, it gave him only another opportunity to breathe — focus, meditate — his eyes briefly closing as his opponent made his distance. For a moment, Soren seemed as though he was prepared to speak something more, his head tilted back as his slightly golden-hued eyes peered at a distance toward Max, mana shimmering passively all throughout his body; yet it seemed he relented, instead taking a battle-ready stance as wind began to shift turbulently around him, his robes fluttering slightly in the wake of the wind he shrouded himself in.\n_ _\n\nHe takes another deep breath. One moment. In, and out, refining magic within the single moment of intake, and suffusing the air that came out with the very same mana created. \n\n\n`\"Now I have told you two of my techniques,\"`\n`\"And their forms are refined.\"`\n\n*`\"Vayu.\"`\n__`\"Arrow.\"`__\n\nThis time, Max could predict it.\n\nBursting forth from a disturbance in the atmosphere, a sharp, refined point of air blasted straight for Max's neck, incredibly-potent and high-speed in its travel. Though it was invisible, he could hear it tearing through the atmosphere in its approach, and practically sense it as the winds shifted turbulently toward him, aimed again for his abdomen.. If it were to strike, it would strike exactly as an arrow — piercing identically —* Though its raw stopping-force seemed to be much stronger by virtue of the shifting tides of wind alongside it." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He retracted the blade as he gained more control of himself, he definitely didn't wanna lose it after just having broken someone's entire body since he'd rather not have to go through that again.\n\nHe started the process on turning the blade into another chain as he still had one from his last battle, he already figured out he wouldn't be able to win with just fists he needed to make some kind of weapon, dual chain whips should suffice in this battle or atleast that's what he thought seeing as they could used both defensively and offensively, he just had to by himself some time, he kept his eyes locked on Soren to see what he would do.\n\n\"Yeah and you know two of my tricks as well but seeing as I'm switching out the blade for something else I'll tell you this another, I'm basically a weapons factory since my other ability helps with materials, if I have the time and the materials I can make just about anything I need for a battle or just in general.\"\n\nUpon hearing Soren say arrow he would immediately jump into the air and stay up there for a second using air jets, he remembered what Soren said about his ability so he definitely wouldn't stay there and get hit with some invisible wind arrow, he then rocketed down and attempted to punch Soren with his left hand." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "As air flows in, Soren's technique replenishes itself, mana flaring as he sees — feels — Max descending from the air above him.\n\n`\"The air is my witness.\"`\n\nAir flows out, and another Breath is born anew. Soren coalesces the mana intrinsic to the air he breathes into the nucleus of his technique, creating a disruption in the atmosphere that enshrouded his right hand.\n\n`\"As long as I am attached to this world,\"`\n`\"I am one with it.\"`\n`\"I feel the atmosphere move around me, and in turn, I sense your motion.\"`\n\nSoren tucked backward, the punch soaring past him. Unfortunately for Max, it seemed he had been put up against two opponents back-to-back who starkly contrasted his combat style that focused on physically overwhelming an opponent. Though he had proven himself enough to overcome the counter-synergy once, would he be able to replicate that feat against Soren?\n\nIn the eyes of the magician-monk, Max's form is captured — and not in his eyes only, but so too the perception of his mind. Soren could Feel The air whipping about both of their forms in the brief moment they cut through the atmosphere: one to attack, the other to dodge.\n_ _\n\nAs Max landed, Soren locked his eyes on his form, a turbulent wind beginning to form around his fist. Yet instead of using it to empower himself via the detonation of the disruption in the atmosphere, he would instead begin to shroud the rest of his body with it — mana and wind flowing about him — creating a sort of veil that both lightened him and sped him up.\n\nNot with entirely supernatural speed, though somewhat enhanced over even a trained human, Soren would continue to engage in close-quarters-combat with the physically-superior opponent that was Max, throwing a counter-punch for his jaw, trusting in his ability to sense the motion of the air around him and continue combatting him at point-blank. It was a tremendous risk that he was taking, that Soren — yet these very types of risks were what drove him to learn, evolve, grow, at the tremendous rates he did." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "The dual chains had been finished but he wouldn't bring them out just yet as he wanted to see if he could do without them against Soren, he didn't wanna fight an unarmed person with a weapon so he wanted to see what Soren could really do against him, he wanted to see if this guy could put a up fight against him like Sofja did despite the physical disadvantage.\n\n\"I'm starting to see a pattern with my matchups if I'm being honest.\"\n\nUpon the punch being sent towards his jaw he finally used his right hand to catch Soren's fist just before it could make contact absorbing the kinetic energy from said punch, he'd actually forgotten that he could just catch an attack with his hands to just soften the blow by a ton along with gaining the energy from said attack, hell he forgot he could just grab people like he did kuouo.\n\n\"Oh and my last trick is my best one, see I can absorb just about anything and seeing as a punch is just kinetic energy, I can just catch someone's hand before throwing their own punch back at them with added strength from my own and no it doesn't stop at kinetic.\"\n\nHe tightened his grip around Soren's fist as he got up and smiled the force alone probably starting to crack it, he then pulled his left fist back and went for a full force punch to the side of Soren's face, Max seemed to be enjoying himself since he finally found people who didn't run like cowards at the sight of him, so he definitely would give his all for whatever time left he was in this tournament." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "`\"Huh.\"`\n\nSoren felt his fist rapidly decelerate. So unusually fast it felt preternatural — it wasn't quite as much like hitting a brick wall as it was like his fist being completely siphoned of the energy it once possessed. And in fact, that was, indeed, what happened. All the kinetic energy of his punch vanished in a single moment as Max gripped his right hand, within the very moment Soren realizing the extent of his opponent's physical strength.\n\nA subtle sense of surprise defined the magician-monk's expression immediately following the impact — not panic, but surprise; a sense of unexpectedness and realization wrapped into a single expression. It seemed as though he was rather curious and almost interested instead of displeased with the situation: Soren was an individual who took unbelievable risks in order to vastly accelerate the curve of his growth. These sorts of situations were exactly the type of thing he was looking for.\n\nHis golden eyes acuminate, their focus honing sharp on Max as he began to tighten his grip. Indeed, there was a moment of speculation, and an increasing sensation of pain growing within his fist, yet the prodigy magician maintained his cool.\n\n`Breathe.`\n_ _\n\nFrom a single Breath...—\n\n*SWING!\nSoren's head tilted sideways as he dodged instinctively, Max's fist gliding barely past his cheek, the sheer force from the punch creating a small cut that travelled the length of his face.\n\n`Now, exhale...`\n\nThe pressure was building up, and it felt as though his fist was about to shatter. Possibilities were forced to rush through his mind in the moment of pain and adrenaline-induced clarity. Indeed, this was the exact sensation he was looking for. By this point, his bones were beginning to sustain significant damage. \n\n`No matter. Let's fight decisively.`\n\nHe furled his fist into a handsign, pointing his index and middle finger in a finger-gun-style symbol aimed toward Max's grappling wrist. \n\n__`\"VAYU — ARROW.\"`__\n\nHis lips move, and in a single moment, a spell erupts from a disruption in the atmosphere that had manifest directly at Soren's fingertips. At point-blank, he fired a high-power airblast into Max's right wrist* — the very same hand grappling his own — in an attempt to damage it enough to force him to release his grip. At this range and with this strength, the blast would be piercing deep, potentially enough to blow a small hole into Max's wrist." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "As he was about to pull his hand back for another swing until he saw Soren turn his hand into a finger gun and point it at his right wrist which definitely confused him for a single moment before his wide smile quickly turned upside down as his eyes widened, sadly he didn't have enough time to pull his hand back before the spell shot deep into his wrist causing him to let go of Soren and hold his wrist in pain while backing away from him.\n\n\"Lucky shot, but let's see if you can handle my next couple moves.\"\n\nHe began to smile again as he let go of his wrist and had one of the chains shoot out of his left hand, it was about 4 feet in length with a very sharp tip at the end of it this one would be for offense, he then used the other chain to wrap it around his right arm and hand this one would be for defense, his smile widened and his eye lights disappeared as he looked at Soren.\n\n\"Now let's see what you got, show these people your best!\"\n\nHe then started to spin the chain in his left hand as he rushed at Soren and attempted to hit him with two quick and powerful lashes from the chain whip which were aimed at his head and right leg, specifically his femur in an attempt to damage it and screw up his movement." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Soren's hand lurched back the moment Max's grip released, his action almost instinctive and born of a necessity to preserve what functions were still present within the damaged integrity of his hand's bonestructure. The monk-magician, despite his lack of panic or surprise, possessed a very real self-preservation instinct that drove his actions with an urgency and immediateness that confirmed, despite his apathic and aloof veneer, that he very well was within this moment, just the same as Max was himself.\n\n`\"Lucky?\"` —he questioned.\n`\"We'll see.\"`\n\nA figment of emotion displayed itself beyond the man's cold golden irises for the first time. It was not anger nor was it anything that suggested condescension before, and though nearly-indistinguishable as it seemed, it felt as though, for a brief moment, he was grinning.\n\n`Impetus.`\n`My opponent has impetus.`\n`Do you feel the weight of the world around you? Do you understand what it is you are doing?`\n\nSoren retreated to a moment of thought, taking a step back. His eyes fixed, clear, upon the form of the chains, his subconscious comprehending the threat wholly and his body understanding the path it must take to avoid injury; yet his mind was preoccupied, pondering, attempting to understand something beyond what lied at the surface.\n\n`Impetus.`\n`You have it. But what is it that creates that impetus?`\n\nHis damaged hand was mostly limp. Yet it retained some functionality, Soren staring down at it and channeling mana all throughout it as he took a deep breath — composing himself, that what the wound he sustained might not become something worse. A disruption in the atmosphere formed as he exhaled, that same disruption then shrouding about his body in the form of a turbulent wind that covered him like an invisible cowl — a repetition and a reinforcement of a technique he had used earlier. He was growing subtly faster, lighter, and more Free With each consecutive use.\n_ _\n\nSoren's hand shifts into a sign as Max began to rush him, the spinning chain approaching with debilitating intent. Having not revealed the existence of it until this point, it would perhaps come as a surprise: there was one more Breath he had left, lingering, hidden about himself; a disruption in the atmosphere that he had created at the battle's start and never used. That disruption coalesced around his undamaged hand as he suffused it with mana, creating a similar finger-gun-like handsign and pointing it at the oncoming form of the whipping chian.\n\nHe could see it, as fast as it was. He could feel it, sense it whipping through the wind, and predict its motion.\n\n__*`\"Gale.\"`__\n\nTremendous wind blows forth from his fingertip and the adjacent disruption in wind, colliding against the chain and forcing it to rebound with the sheer extent of energy behind the blast of air. That would not prevent the second oncoming attack — the one to his leg — which Soren would narrowly dodge by tucking backward, his entire body seeming to almost float as he bounded lightly off the ground, the same veil of wind that he had reinforced earlier carrying him upon the breath of the wind.\n\nThat is not to say he avoids it entirely, however. The chain whips past his cloak and cuts against his leg, and, though not coming in contact with bone or digging deep into the flesh, it creates a moderately-sized laceration across the surface of his leg.\n\n`Perhaps I could whittle you at range and win handily,`* He thought. `But that would neither be a proper battle nor would it be an experience for learning.`\n`Yes—` He now bounded forward, dashing directly into Max, his feet fleet and his body lighter, faster, and more agile than before. `——I'll take you head-on.`\n\nHe took a deep breath in, and one out — preparing another attack." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "He was trying to think about and actual counter to Soren as he didn't know if he could beat him with his current build, he'd either have to figure out a different weapon for this fight or work with what he's got since he doesn't really have any ranged options as the chains are still a close quarters combat type of weapon and Soren had both far and close range capabilities.\n\n`Gotta think of something and quick, I ain't got all the time in the world.`\n\nHe needed to use a different style as his usual full force punches were to slow and made it harder for him to dodge for just a moment, he thought about weaker yet faster attacks since he'd probably still do decent damage if they landed or maybe even focus on grab attacks since he could always crush a bone or keep him from dodging other attacks, he smiled as he thought of this and watched Soren.\n\n\"Pardon.\"\n\nAfter somewhat hearing Soren he was confused about what he had said, then the wind kinda surprised him for a second but he still went through with the second attack regardless, he definitely didn't expect that sudden gust of wind even tho he already knew of Soren's abilities beforehand, he then wrapped the left chain around his arm while watching Soren very closely after he had just barely dodged the strike to his leg, his smile turning into a confused expression as his white eyes while Soren dashed at him.\n\n\"Okay are you gonna do ranged or hand to hand dude? Make up your damn mind already.\"\n\nHe absorbed the air around him through his chest and cracked his knuckles as he balled a fist and pulled his hand back to make it seem like he was going for a punch but instead he attempted to grab Soren by the head with his left hand to slam him into the ground as hard as he could." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Soren's eyes remained locked on Max as he approached, the windshroud that enveloped him perpetuating the momentum of each step he took, their force adding one-atop-another as he dashed frictionlessly through the atmosphere. As his feet touched the ground, wind cushioned their impact as they touched the marble below, his leg bounding upward with twice the strength it came downward. Merely in moving — running — forward, the magician-monk seemed as though he was gliding, losing no power in any of the motions he made: the wind itself guided him.\n\n`\"I can sense it all.\"`\n\nThe wind that shifted around Max. A vacuum-like force as it accumulated in his chest.\n\n`\"This world in motion—\"`\n`\"——every breath taken.\"`\n\nIt seemed a vague and proud declaration that he made — easy to assume to be a mantra of some kind — and one that held no particular meaning. Yet that short, simple statement was indeed a declaration of one of his techniques: a declaration enough to bring the effects of the SOUL-vow `Veracity` Into play.\n\nWhere before, he felt only the most abrupt fluctuations in the wind — the change in its tide as both he and his opponent tore through the atmosphere — now Soren felt even the subtlest changest in the atmosphere: the wind bristling against the hairs along his arm, the flow of the wind as he inhaled and exhaled, and the coursing trails of wind streaming through into Max's chest. The activation of `Veracity` Upon his passive perception of the airflow around him now only reinforced his sixth sense, allowing him to perceive even the respiration of his opponent and garnering him a greater understanding of Max's absorption technique.\n_ _\n\nThis same increase in perception is what granted him an innate understanding of Max's feint.\n\n*`\"Gale.\"`\n\nHis Breath takes form, an interruption in the atmosphere coalescing. Yet he makes no handsign, nor does the wind shift near either of his hands: it is a Gale* Formed Directly above him. And neither is its target Max, but instead Soren himself.\n\nAs Max's hand encroached to attempt and grab Soren, he was suddenly propulsed downward with such violent force that it seemed Soren would injure himself grievously, attacking himself senselessly in order to dodge his opponent's attack. Yet after he eluded, for a moment, the perception of his enemy by bringing himself so far down and close to the ground, it became clear that he not only remained wholly in-tact, but kept the entire flow of his forwards motion after being propulsed into the ground. The wind itself cushioned him as he was propelled downward and away from Max's grab, Soren tucking impossibly-low to the ground as he weightlessly dashed between his legs. It was an impossibly-precise motion only enabled by his heightened spatial perception of the atmosphere around himself.\n\nAgility and clear perception. The magician-monk did not intend to physically overwhelm Max, but to utilize superior speed and discernment.\n\nSoren's hands press against the ground after he clears some distance behind Max, mana welling in both arms as the windshear about himself increased — the thin veil of wind growing thick. He propelled himself up from the crouched stance backward into Max, angling an upward kick towards the back of his head." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His right hand was still wrapped in the chain he was going to use to defend but then he started to think of another plan, in his fight against sofja he had made a chain that was 5 meters long yet the chains on his arm were only 4 feet each, there was still a 2 meter long chain worth of material that was unaccounted for in this fight tho he would definitely be the only one to know this information, but he wasn't gonna use it just yet he needed to see if he really needed to use it now.\n\n\"Okay I really hope I'm not fighting another person like this if I win this match cause I swear if I do they're leaving in a fucking COFFIN.\"\n\nHe was beginning to look and get more aggressive as he said this, his eyes began to look sharper and so did his teeth, for whatever reason he was beginning to get exceedingly angry at this fight, his breathing getting heavier by the second as his eyes were locked onto Soren's every move, then he went in for that grab.\n\n`Miss`\n\n\"This fight is REALLY starting to get on my NERVES.\"\n\nBoth of the chains were quickly absorbed back into Max's hand as Soren went in between his legs, his eyes squinting as he didn't even attempt to turn around even tho he could do so in a second, upon the kick connecting his head would go forward but his eyes would stay squinted as he slightly turned his head to show Soren a very wide smile, he had avoided a much stronger and more furious opponent with that kick, but he definitely wasn't in the clear.\n\n\"I got a question for you, do you know what a broken femur feels like?\"\n\nUpon saying this he'd attempt to grab Soren's leg with both his hands before he could get away and break his femur by crushing his leg with every bit of strength he had, which would be extremely painful and would basically cripple him." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "`I see you.`\n\nDespite the speed with which Soren performed his dash between Max's legs, his perception of the world around himself did not wane. The persisting effects of his passive spell — his ability to perceive even the most minor ebbing of the atmosphere surrounding the two combatants in the arena — granted him an unconscious understanding of the smallest actions that both he and Max performed, down to their momentum and the intent held behind them. Each breath Soren took in sharpened this already honed sense, and as he passed under and behind his opponent, he could already feel anticipation welling within Max's heavy breaths — a sense of frustration permeating even the respiration which the magician-monk sensed, circulating throughout his opponent. Such is why when his kick collided with the back of Max's head, he wholly anticipated immediate retaliation.\n\n`And again——`\n\nA grab.\nSoren possessed a natural predisposition toward taking extreme risks. Yet it was not merely for the thrill of the risk that he thrust himself into such dangerous situations as a duel of the likes of the `Margo Aeternitatis` — and it was neither due to his recklessness that he would so inadvisably participate in close-quarters-combat with an opponent several-times physically superior to himself —, but rather it was to pursue a type of expedited learning and growth that could only be attained in circumstances that forced growth From Him. Those same, dangerous, inadvisable circumstances were also indeed those that garnered the greatest growth: to take a leap of faith and to find victory grants one an understanding of what risks are acceptable to take, and to challenge oneself to the utmost of their limits and find failure teaches them the extent of what they can and cannot do.\n_ _\n\nThat is to say, the risk he took earlier punching toward Max was calculated. It was, too, a learning experience: one that taught him a key habit of his opponent, and the means through which he could counter it.\n\n`you will——`\n\nGrab.\n\nHe would not let himself so easily be caught in the same snare twice.\nA disruption in the atmosphere — an extension of the Breath earlier taken, the very manifestation of his technique — coalesced around his leg. As Max grappled the foot that had collided with the back of his head, he would feel an outward surge of air beginning to form.\n\n`\"Liberation.`\n\nThat disruption in the atmosphere grew into something much more chaotic; something much more free. An explosive outward burst of air detonated, originating from Soren's grappled leg. It was not so potent as to damage his hand, but was certainly quite a weighty outward blast enough to force at least one of Max's hands to release his grapple.\n\n`\"I wouldn't know.\"`\n\nAt least one of Max's hands would likely remain with its strength on Soren's leg. Yet the monk-magician would make no attempt to escape, but would rather continue in the same vein of taking unbelievable risks — he would, following the potential release of one of Max's hands, pull himself in by using Max's grip as an anchor-point, curling his body in further toward his opponent as he stared askance toward the widely-grinning shadowed man.\n\nHe would pivot on his hip — still suspended in-air by both the grip and the shroud of air lightening his body — twisting his other, free leg into a close-quarters knee toward Max's chin. Upon a successful initial blow, he would continue the action twice again in an attempt to damage him enough in order to force him to release his grip with his other hand." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His head was starting to become clouded by violence and rage, his moves becoming much more aggressive and uncoordinated, he was getting sloppy as his rage fueled his movement and his motives in this fight, the chains in particular were going to be used as grab and pull weapons just so he could crush Soren's body all the faster, but something switched in his head as he started to think, everything beginning to slow down in his vision as if everything were moving in slow motion.\n\n`Is this really the person I wanna be, what I want to become? Allowing rage to fuel my movement instead of my own promises, I need to be better than this, I promised her I'd be better than this.`\n\nHe breathed in and out as his mind cleared up the rage and anger that had once plagued his mind becoming nothing more than a thought, an idea that he'd never use if he could control it, he had started to think of a different tactic, instead of using punches and kicks to try and hit the obviously much faster opponent, why not use the materials he had to his advantage.\n\nAs the air explosion Soren had caused blasted off his leg, Max's right hand would be knocked off because of the damage it took earlier while his left which still had much stronger grip would stay firmly grasped onto Soren's leg, he could just shoot several spikes out of it and turn Soren's leg into Swiss cheese, but for some reason, he decided not to do so he didn't even try crush his leg like a stick even though he had the strength to do so in that one hand but he just stood there.\n\nUpon the first hit to the chin he didn't do anything but upon the second attempt he caught Soren's knee with his right abefore spinning around and tossing him into the air but he didn't just end it there, instead he rocketed himself into the air after him before pulling his right fist back and having his left fist face Soren, but instead of punching with his right fist he shot both chain whips out of his left hand along with a 2 meter long spike." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "A bruise had begun to form on Soren's leg due to the sheer force of the grip placed upon it. The monk-magician lightly winced, his eyes squinting down as pain flared throughout the limb, and yet he did not waver, the focus in his eyes never waning. It was this clarity and consistency that defined Soren as a person, and it was this clarity and consistency that allowed him to, in the moment of his opponent's shifting desire, both see and comprehend the echoes of both hesitation and change fluctuating off of his *`SOUL.`* The Margo Aeternitatis Brought a closeness in the spiritual and mundane world that allowed the monk — as practically-understanding of `Soulcraft` As he was — to feel those echoes of life, subtle as they may be.\n\n`...Impetus... Is it not anger?`\n`...I cannot say it is. But I cannot say it is not...`\n`Within my opponent, there is...`\n\nIt was indescribable, and yet Soren was beginning to grasp a greater understanding of who Max truly was.\nThe sparks of their *SOULs* Clashed, and in grasping their heat, Soren felt as though he grasped a better understanding of both their places in the world.\nYet the battle itself was still hot.\n\nIn Max's moment of hesitation, Soren did not himself also hesitate, and yet felt a weight pull upon his actions as he struck Max directly in the chin with his knee. That transient, wavering moment in resolve that Max had shown seemed unlike the him that the monk had earlier observed him to be; it was for this shift in the paradigm that left Soren in a moment of thought that lasted only a fraction of a second.\n_ _\n\n`...A dichotomy.`\n\nHe was flung back. The air whipped behind him, as though to slow his motion — the veil of mana that enshrouded him was still in effect.\nWith a weakened hand and a weakened leg, he boasted less control over his aerial momentum, and yet his proficiency with the manipulation of air allowed him to, at least, control the rate at which he was flung, keeping himself still-facing his opponent as he was launched away.\n\n`\"...Every breath I take...\"`\n\n...He muttered as he swirled through the air. The chains now were close in approach, Soren's eyes locked solitarily upon the large spike protruding from their ends. He exhales a strong Breath—\n\n`\"...Is a manifestation of my technique.\"`\n\nThe spikes comes infinitesimally close to his body, his momentum away from Max perservering, if not increasing, due to the persistent shroud of air both lightening and perpetuating his motion through the world around himself. His free and uninjured hand forms into a fingergun that he points at Max, and it is in this moment that the effects of `Veracity` Take shape — he has revealed yet another element of his technique, yet not in word only; Max can See The Breath that Soren has taken. The disruption in the atmosphere ahead of his finger glows alight, a subtle-yellow glow in mana marking its presence — visible and clear to Max's own SOUL as it was to Soren himself.\n\n`\"VAYU—`\n__*`\"JAVELIN.\"`__\n _ _\n\nBy revealing the nature of a Breath itself, it is empowered. By revealing the nature of Vayu, it too is empowered. The combination of the two techniques empowered by `Veracity`* Results in a transcendent manifestation of the initial spell: Javelin. A highly-empowered burst of air would manifest from the disruption in the atmosphere, shooting directly for Max's center-mass with intense force — enough to pierce him straight through and potentially even blow a golfball-sized hole into his abdomen — though not without the action being telegraphed due to Soren's revealing of the spell's nature.\n\nHe planned to trade blows with Max, pivoting his body mid-air such that the spikes would target nonlethal sections of his own body — he had flipped upside-down in the midst of his spellcasting, at such an angle that the chains would be more likely to hit the sides of his lower abdomen or his legs rather than his heart, lungs, or neck.\n\nHe was putting it all on the line, here and now." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "A smile started to form on his face but not one of a sinister intent, he was just smiling because he had finally found a place where he wasn't seen as a monster but just another odd person, something people weren't scared of him because of his appearance, he wasn't just another murder monster in this place, he was a person.\n\n\"Overtime I've learned that someone's mind and motives ain't always so cut and dry. I ain't some evil entity that hates all thing's living down to the very bone, I may seem sinister but things can just get a little... Complicated. Thing is I'm just a creature who's from a whole nother world.\"\n\nHe was having fun with this new world and all it's different people, as he got closer to Soren he saw him breathe in and out as he made another finger gun, but instead of propelling himself forward he retracted both chains and the spike all at the same time as he saw the glow, but his eyes didn't widen and neither did smile, he just closed his eyes for a moment before opening his right hand and using an air cannon to rocket himself to the left and out of the way of the attack, he lands in his feet and skids across the arena floor before coming to a complete stop.\n\n\"Missed me Aang, better luck next time tho and hey lighten up a bit, everything ain't always so serious and since I want to prove this, I'll do this.\"\n\nAfter he was done speaking Max took both chain whips out of his palm along with the spike before throwing all of them to right side.\n\n\"I'll get them after we finish this fight but I want to fight on atleast somewhat even terms, no more weapons, no more absorption, just me and my fist. Now come at me and show me you ain't a coward like the rest of em.\n\nHe put up his fists and waited for Soren to make his next move, he wasn't gonna fight an unarmed man using weapons or cheap tricks, he would use his own to fists to finish this fight." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "The monk's eyes shifted with the rapid motion and retreat of the chains, as well as Max's sudden change in intent. His sudden switch to a retreat instead of continuing in his decisive blow accompanied a similar change in intent; these two things Soren noted duly, squinting as the usage of __`Javelin`__ soared past Max. Yet it was not frustration nor confusion that defined Soren's honed eyes, as he twirled, landing, both feet on the ground as he now stared distantly at his opponent. It was curiosity. \n\nSomething profound in his `SOUL`* Glew alight again.\n\n`\"Is that so?\"`\n\nHe responded quickly to Max's declaration of self; his statement of origin from another world, as well as his beliefs on the nature of mind and motives.\n\n`\"No creature is defined by a singular nature.\"`\n`\"We live in harmony,\"` He spoke, a soft Breath easing from his lungs. `\"Each, with our own desires and inhibitions.\"`\n\nHis stance shifted from a forwards-heavy martial-arts stance to an open-armed stance, both palms retracting close to rest at either side of his hips. He took a step forward, mana suffusing the Breath He had just taken — that same Breath Now shrouding his body like a veil.\n\n`\"In that, you are correct.\"`\n`\"And it seems you are more understanding of this than most.\"`\n\nHe stretched a single hand out toward Max, his body shifting back into a fighting stance. This time, however, it was different — his head shifted inward, his body forward; he was no longer looking down toward Max from an angle, but level with him.\n\n`Enlightenment can be found in the simplest of things.`\n`I hope you and I both will find something,`\n`anything,`\n`that will bring us growth and fulfillment.`\n\nHis eyes briefly closed, before opening wide, gleaming golden as he focused on his opponent with all his might. An overwhelming sense of clarity pervaded his expression following Max's challenge, which he seemed already to have wordlessly accepted.\n_ _\n\n_ _\n`\"...All right.\"`\n`\"I'll give you everything, then.\"`\n\n`\"Irenic Vow.\"`\n`\"Vow of Veracity.\"`\n`\"Oath of Integrity.\"`\n`\"Oath of Abstinence.\"`\n`\"The Middle Path.\"`\n`\"Wind.\"`\n`\"Vayu.\"`\n`\"Svasa.\"`\n`\"Breath.\"`\n`\"Samsara.\"`\n`\"Moksha.\"`\n`\"Liberation.\"`\n`\"Enlightenment.\"`\n_ _\n\nEach word was without context, yet together told a story.\nEach word invoked an aspect of the many vows Soren had taken upon himself, and each echoed within the expanses of his `SOUL` With equivalent weight.\n\n*`thump thump`\n`thump thump`\n`thump thump`\n\nHis `SOUL`* Pounds, glowing auric, as the arena glitters alight—\n`\"My name is Soren,\"` He spoke, taking another step forward as he shifted his left hand into a simple symbol.\n\n*`thump thump`\n`thump thump`\n`thump thump`\n\n— the atmosphere growing heavy, as the divide between the mundane and transmundane realms began to fade entirely —\n\n`\"And I have come to knock on the gates of enlightenment.\"`\n\n—his `SOUL`* Manifesting, bright and gold, flaring limitlessly outward, both `Vessel` And `Spirit` Eclipsing material reality, __Transcending__ their absolute limitations.\n\n\n\n\n_ _\n 𝑮 𝑵 𝑰 𝑻 𝑰 𝑶 𝑵__\n __`\"विवृत\"`__\n_ _\n\n\n\n\nThe surrounding world is washed in a brilliant, golden color,\nBefore a beautiful, stretching blue sky takes shape, brightly illuminating the rolling mountain fields overset by ephemeral fogs.\n_ _\n\n__```\n\"ᴛʀᴀɴꜱᴄᴇɴᴅᴇɴᴄᴇ—\"\n \"𝔸𝕍𝔸𝕋𝕀.\" ```__\n\n_ _\nA vast idol oversees the __`INNER REALM`__ of Soren's soul, its form and face ambiguous, shadowed in the silhouette of a hollow sun.\n\nThe monk-magician takes a soft, prolonged breath, his eyes fluorescent with the sharp-golden aura and mana that now wholly suffused his body, the air around him flowing confluently with each shift of his body. As though he were clothed in the wind, itself, gales of air form a dense and ever-shifting shroud around his body that is now made weightless. Each breath he takes is a Breath He controls — the essence of both his mana and `SOUL` Suffusing them — as he shifts stances once and finally more, opposite Max in the endless terrain of his manifest, __Transcended__ `SOUL.`\n_ _\n\n```\n \"Let's go... One more time.\" ```\n\n_ _\n`Step.`*\n\nHis foot touches against the ground, and in a singular motion, he is imparted momentum forward, a shear of wind carrying him with instantaneous velocity toward Max. His arm pulls back and wind again shrouds it, coalescing in a violent disruption in the atmosphere ahead of his fist, as he throws a head-on punch for Max, striking toward his chest — still seemingly bound strongly by his intent to fight Max face-to-face, fist-to-fist. The momentum of the strike and its strength were both boosted far beyond their typical means, approaching but not quite reaching the level of Max's own; its speed, however, was incredible, and significantly beyond what was possible for a normal human to achieve. It was performed with such speed that it would be nigh-unreactable if it were not for the great distance Soren would have to first clear before launching the attack, and if it were to successfully hit, it would impact not once, but twice — a secondary detonation of air would forcibly propel Max backward were he not to steel himself or dodge the initial blow." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His smile was shining as bright as a light while in this fight, his eyes just about the same as they shifted to show different expressions. The one he was making currently was for the excitement he was feeling at this moment in time.\n\n\"Hey it doesn't take a genius to realize anyone and everyone ain't just programmed for some specific thing. We can all change and be what we wanna be, I learned that from an important person who I don't have around anymore, but I'll make sure to make them proud by being true to myself.\"\n\nHe then listened to Soren's talk about enlightenment and fulfillment, he had already thought of what would give him fulfillment and he thought he had his answer, but then he remembered what he said. Everything ain't always so cut and dry, there's never a truly clear answer to anything.\n\n\"I mean I'm not going anywhere anytime soon so, why not take that journey slow and steady.\"\n\nHe then listened as Soren spoke about knocking on the gates of enlightenment, before readying himself for something big. He was definitely surprised when the whole arena changed into a bright world with mountains and a sky as blue as the ocean.\n\n\"So this is transcendence huh? It's pretty beautiful if I'll be honest, if i ever get one I wonder what it'll look like. Well I guess I got the good opponents, but as you said. Let's go... One last time.\"\n\nHe pointed at Soren while smiling as he said this before balling his left fist, if he was gonna face Soren fists only, he'd do his best. As he watched Soren speed towards him he pulled his left fist back and instead of dodging and thinking of a plan, he just straight up full force punched Soren's fist as he attempted to strike him in the stomach. He didn't even use absorption to soften the blow, he stayed true to his word even if he might've been at a disadvantage because of it. Because that's the kind of kid he was, one that stayed true to his word." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Veracity and integrity.\n\nThough Soren's expression did not much change as Max spoke of his own journey, the fire hidden behind his eyes — the glowing of mana as one peered deeper into his `SOUL`* By meeting the contact of his eyes while within the realm of his __*`TRANSCENDENCE`__ — gleamed, and there was found a sort of latent acknowledgement within his focused gaze. Some deeper sense of respect had formed within his heart for his opponent.\n\n—The idol in the sky furls two fingers.\n\nSoren's fist and Max's collide, an airburst detonating outward from the initial impact as the rebound shot through both combatant's arms as incredible force met an incredible force. As aforementioned, the magician-monk, in his reinforced state, approached but did not exceed Max's own strength — yet the following detonation of wind from the explosion of the `Breath`* Shrouding his fist indeed allowed him to match the raw output of the punch, if not its pure physical brunt. \n\nPain echoes throughout Soren's already-injured hand — a debilitation he had been suppressing through both mental control and mana reinforcement — in the impact, and yet he is not forcibly rebounded by the outward airburst as Max might have been. Worsening, the injury progresses deeper than the initial crushing force Max had damaged with it; but Soren does not so much as flinch. His eyes are steady and his *`Breath`* Flows smooth, the atmosphere flowing like a cloak around him.\n_ _\n\n*```\n \"...Slow and steady..\"\n\"...Yes. That, too, is a path to enlightenment.\"```\n\n_ _\nBy nature of how he was not blown-back by the detonation of air originating from his fist, Soren is quick to recover. A gale following behind him, he dashes again toward Max and almost identically repeats his same, distance-closing maneuver — himself also bound by honor to fight head-on rather than exploit the intrinsic strengths of his Transcendence to wrest an unsatisfactory victory — approaching headfirst, this time pivoting into an upward kick as he entered melee-range, his entire body lifting off the ground as he practically leapt into a high-kick toward Max's head. This action, too, was bolstered by the natural strength of the wind coalescing around him, and it, too, would carry such potent momentum that it nearly matched Max's raw strength output; yet this time, it would not come with the following airburst, reducing its overall yield. He preserved disruptions in the air forming around both him and Max, glitters of golden light shimmering in triads all around them." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "His body was definitely built for combat, but against people like Sofja and Soren it was definitely less effective unless they chose to come at him head on. Tho he could always try to learn their fighting style and abilities to form a counter but he didn't have the means or the materials at the moment so he could only make such slight adjustments to tip a battle to his favor, even without help from his soul he could still beat these people but even then he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long, he needed a boost for himself and soon.\n\n`I need a plan, unless I can tap into my own soul I'll be finished sooner then later, I need to atleast get to the semifinals but I can't do that if literally every other opponent gets a boost.`\n\nThen the clash occurred which knocked him back and actually caused him to shake his hand, he wasn't as hurt as Soren by that punch but it definitely hurt him enough for him react to it, he would smile and look at Soren.\n\n\"Dude you hit like a girl, granted the one time I fought a girl, she broke both my arms.\"\n\nUpon Soren rushing towards him the exact same way as last time, Max would closely watch his body as he got closer and upon Soren preforming the kick. Max would block it with his right arm and allow it to take the full force of the strike as he then grabbed Sorens leg with his left hand as he slammed Soren into the ground as hard as he could twice in an attempt to just knock him out." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "`\"Perhaps.\"`\n`\"Your last opponent had great will.\"`\n\nA simple comment. Soren continued to cross the gap between the two, his spirit warm with all the thoughts, possibilities, and limitations imposed upon it; his mind, however, remained cool — a balance that granted him an unimaginable clarity in thought. \n\n`Though my opponent is trapped within my SOUL,`* Soren's leg pounded against Max's right arm, `it does not mean the fight is already won.`\n`Do not neglect your fundamental limitations.`\n\nDespite his immense maturity as a magician and as a `Soulcraft` User, Soren, in truth, was not much of a greater threat than most other participants within the Margo Aeternitatis. The fact that he was capable of using __`TRANSCENDENCE`__ despite this equality, thusly, must mean it comes with some great, fundamental limitation. A yellow soul exists starkly within the limitations it sets for itself. Those limitations may grant it greater acuity — singular goals grant singular, directed power — and yet they are, all the same, still limitations.\n_ _\n\nThe magician-monk felt the swelling of the air around him as Max's hand motioned to tightly grapple his leg. Quickly, he motioned to pull his leg back; yet he was a moment too slow, his opponent's grip confirmed as he was then immediately hurled toward the ground. Instinctively, he formed a cushion of air ahead of him, crossing his arms ahead of himself as he partially slowed his descent with the consumption of a single, smooth-flowing `Breath.` The damage was not entirely negated, however; his arms absorbed a majority of the leftover brunt of the impact, that subtle fissure in the bonestructure of his already-damaged wrist growing ever-more-definite. Likewise, when he was slammed for the second time, he caught himself, and that hidden damage began to compound.\n\nHe was pushing himself beyond his limitations. His usage of mana-reinforcement had prevented it from becoming an immediate issue, but it was an undeniable fact that the damage was beginning to build up. He had saved himself from immediately losing the duel, yet he absolutely could not tolerate another major impact against his damaged wrist.\n\n__*`\"Vayu.\"`__\n`\"I'll aim for your back.\"`\n\nVeracity.\n\nTwo `Breaths`* Coalesce, subtle disruptions in the atmosphere immediately appearing behind Max, suffused with a golden aura. Just as Soren had warned, he was aiming for his back, despite the monk-magician's own grappled and suspended position.\n\n__*`\"Javelin.\"`__\n\n\n\nThreatening to pierce him straight through, two immensely-potent blasts of air — originating just a few feet behind Max — fire with tremendous power straight toward his upper-and lower-back. Soren's explicit warning, however, would likely grant him much leeway in dodging them." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "\"To say she had great will, would be an understatement my guy.\"\n\nMax definitely wouldn't underestimate a girl after what happened with sofja, she definitely opened his eyes to a major ass whoopin he barely recovered from, if he wasn't in a fight he would be rubbing his head right about now.\n\n\"Yknow up to this point I never thought I could get beaten by people who didn't use fire, I'm definitely making myself new armor and weaponry after this.\"\n\nHis voice seemed exhausted from all this constant yelling he had done, tho if he were still using his powers he wouldn't have been yelling as much as he did. But he was gonna win this with his fists only, even if he had to get brutal again. Which he hoped he didn't.\n\nHis right hand was in horrid condition because of Soren's past attacks, it'd basically be useless for anything other then a swift punch so was back to being a lefty for the time being, he just had to get one good strike in and he'd be good.\n\n\"Okay word of advice, never say where you are aiming out loud, even if you do wanna be fair.\"\n\nMax would throw Soren and then quickly dodge to the right to evade the wind javelin, his smile was still bright as a light throughout the action.\n\n\"Yeesh, if I ever learn magic I'm learning the ones that don't need a chant, unless you're just doing that to be a Chunibyo. I mean seriously this whole world is starting to feel weird and that's coming from me.\"\n\nAfter finishing his rant he'd crack his neck before showing his blinding white smile to Soren as he ran towards him head first, he then balled his left hand into a fist and attempted to go for a full force punch to Soren's waist." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "`\"A fundamental limitation.\"`\n\nSoren commented briefly in response to Max's word-of-advice. Indeed, it was a great disadvantage to announce an attack before it occurred; however, to incite such a height in strength as the magician-monk was putting on display in this duel, he had to make some great trade-off to hone the output of his `SOUL`.* That trade-off, in this circumstance, happened to be the announcement of his attack — firmly and verbally conceptualizing its manifestation and target such that its shape in his `Spirit` Was wholly refined. \n\nThis small exchange would happen as Soren was launched through the air.\n\nHis robes fluttering in the wind of the ethereal, mid-afternoon expanse that was the heart of his Spirit — his __`Inner Realm`__, that profound thing beyond reality itself — the magician-monk's eyes shifted focus from the opponent to the sky above, twirling head-behind-heels as he literally flipped backward through the air. In a fragment of a moment, he saw the form of the idol in the sky above: its fingers, furled, each one a symbol of a fundamental rule that existed within this spiritual realm.\n_ _\n\n`I must pick up the pace.`\n\nCoalescing a `Breath` With such freedom he had never shown in the duel until he entered the realm of his __`TRANSCENDENCE`__, Soren propelled himself back toward the floor, landing upon his single healthy-arm's palm and flipping into a backspring, upright, facing Max, and ready for his assault. He motioned his right hand in a semicircle as the atmosphere was physically disrupted, a gale shrouding the limb in reaction to Max's breakneck approach; the magician was preparing a counterattack.\n\n`\"Elbow block.\"`\n\nVeracity.\nThat fundamental limitation again.\n\nHis elbow and body shifted. He tucked his left arm down, its elbow meeting the trajectory of Max's oncoming fist in order to block. The wind gathered around it to form a cushion to decelerate the superhuman force of the attack, negating it in part — but nowhere near in full. Soren was knocked skidding backward as the force echoed throughout the same arm it impacted, reverberating throughout his skeletral structure and again into that same, stressed fracture, where it—\n\n*`crack`\n\nCracked.\n`\"...?\"`\n\nThough pain was shooting throughout his body, Soren did not show it in earnest. His eyes shot quickly to the site of the wound, where a bruised imprint of Max's hand remained, as suddenly much strength is lost within his left arm. Still reeling back from the initial impact of Max's blocked full-force punch, Soren's eyes honed as his lingering injury took a turn for the much, much worse.\n\n`...Not ideal.`\n_ _\n\nThe monk lacked much of the self-preservation instinct that was found intrinsic within most other people. It seemed he thrust himself into danger even when granted clear opportunities to avoid it outright; he was a monk, certainly, and one greatly disciplined, and yet also one who partook in great earthly risks. To willingly take on great burdens is said by some to lead to enlightenment; to Soren, however, it was merely a chance to learn. He would continue fighting Max at melee range even despite his now-broken left wrist.\n\nIt was as though he was attempting to overcome his mortal limits.\n\n`\"Right counter.\"`\n\nHis right hand — spiraled about by turbulent wind — hooked back in toward Max shortly following the moment of impact, seeking to hit him square in the chin with exceptional, though not overbearing, power." }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "\"That's a damn horrible limitation in my books, I'm definitely gonna have to learn about magic and the soul after I'm done here.\"\n\nHe was definitely confused by all the different abilities he's seen so far, but they all interested him in different ways which made him want to learn about them even more. His smile was still shining bright as he fought this battle, he didn't seem to care about his injured wrist or his disadvantage. He was just enjoying the moment.\n\n\"Told you that announcing your moves would be-\"\n\n`crack`\n\n\"Stupid...\"\n\nHis smile didn't fade but it wasn't because he was enjoying the fight, he was frozen in place as his eyes locked onto Soren's left arm. His eyes beginning to shake as he realized what he had just felt, the snapping of someone's bones against his fist.\n\n\"Are you kidding me?\"\n\nHe said this shortly before Soren came at him and nailed him in the chin which sent him back about 4 meters, he then landed on the ground and recovered from the hit pretty quickly before spitting out some black sap consistency like substance upon getting up, his blood.\n\n\"I warned you that if your bones shattered it wouldn't be my fault...\"\n\nHis eyes shined red as he locked back onto Soren.\n\n\"NOW I'LL TURN YOU TO ASH FOR NOT LISTENING TO ME!\"\n\nHe ran at Soren and in a blind rage went in for three heavy punches directed at Soren's head, stomach and right side." }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "`There are some in this world with unmitigated strength.`\n`Others, with fury untold.`\nPain is said to bring focus to some.\n`And you,`* He thought.\n`...Are of them both?`\n\nSoren's golden eyes met Max's, as, with a calm uncharacteristic of his circumstances, he peered deeper into the character of his opponent.\n\n`\"...Counter.\"`\n\nAs Max punched, so too did Soren. He threw a cross for Max's chin in the moment his punch would hit Soren's face. Though, the monk tucked his chin back at the moment of impact, \"Rolling\" With the superhuman punch such that it would not threaten to knock him unconscious immediately. \n\nThen came the second and third impact.\nWhat felt like a cushion of air guarded Soren's gut, but that was not to say the attack was mitigated entirely. A similar phenomenon occurs as Max goes for his right side, both slowed partially but not negated entirely, the monk clearly heavily affected by the impacts. He is staggered by both blows, his once-steady `Breath` Released as a cough. The taste of blood slowly filled Soren's palate... Seemed like he had broken a rib; his lungs were at least bruised, and, at worst, hemorrhaging.\n_ _\n\n*```\n \"One more time.\" ```\n\nLeft arm limp and right hand furled into a fist, a tremendous disturbance in the atmosphere began to coalesce around Soren's right fist as he stanced backward. Soren ran forward as an explosive jet of air propelled him into Max, the monk throwing his strongest punch straight for Max's chest." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Shortform is also in effect now" }, { "author": "maxx1152", "message": "`What is this feeling, rage... No... Sadness... No couldn't be... Then what is it?`\n\nAs Soren's fist collided with Max's chin, he seemed to only get angrier as he threw the other two punches. His eyes were glowing red and his mouth was moving like electricity.\n\n\"I warned you!\"\n`Fear?...No that can't it... Disgust?...Nope not right either.`\n\nAs his body moved with rage and hate as it's fuel, his mind tried to figure out this emotion he was feeling in the very moment. He then heard Soren speak and made an X shape with his arms to block, his right arm was in the front, then as the punch collided.\n\n`CRACK!`\n\nHis eyes darted and became smaller as his mouth quickly disappeared, he was sent flying back and once he had landed. His right arm was broken from the punch, while his left was somewhat damaged aswell.\n\n`Pain... No not that... If it's not any of those then what... Am I feeling?`\n\nWithout a second thought he dashed Soren whole roaring before jumping high into the air.\n\n`Regret... The feeling... Is regret.`\n\nHe came down and delivered a devastating downwards kick with his left leg, in an attempt to just shatter whatever bones Soren had left." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Overseeing the duel, the two-tone, crystalline Medeian sorcerers — once at either side of the King — had grown closer to the duel, standing to the left and right of the `Royal Guard`\n\n```\n\"Something,\" the one on the left began,\n\"...Is awry,\" the one on the right finished.\n\n\"It would be wise for you to end the duel early.\"```\n\nLight and mana diffracting off their crystalline forms, portentous magicks whispered to them of things soon to come — things that have not yet happened.\n\n```\n\"The little mage,\"\n\"...His light will be extinguished,\"\n\"——if you do not stop his opponent!\"```\n\n`\"...?!\"`\n\n```\n\"...'s that so?\"```" }, { "author": "Soren", "message": "Soren was pushing himself to his limit, and he had reached it long before Max would, in their clash. Though his fist had broken a bone of Max's, it was clear that the monk did not — or Could not* — punch with the full of his weight. Following the moment of impact, the magician-monk inhaled deeply, beginning to form another coalescence of *`Breath`* That began to shroud his own broken left arm. However, pain shocked his lungs as a large spurt of blood perfused his trachea, a large cough of blood forced from his mouth, his spell fizzling. \n\nMax's approach would thusly go uninterrupted as Soren lifted his good hand to his face, swiping away the crimson trickle of liquid that ran along his lip before it descended the length of his chiin and neck. Every inhale and every exhale he took came with some great burden and even more pain, neither of which were alone enough to overwhelm his psyche, but were things too much for him to handle simultaneous with the burden of his upholding of his __`Transcended`__ SOUL. His opponent's form is captured clear in his eyes, and yet he cannot move to prevent him. All he can do is flick the blood from his hand and prepare to dodge.\n\n*CRACK\nThe inner light of the realm __`AVATI`__ begins to fade. The Vessel weakens, and the realm is beginning to collapse, mundane reality seeping back into its place.\n\n`TFP`\n\nSoren began to step back, and yet seeing that he was not fully out of the trajectory of the kick, he then began to raise his right arm to block. Neither were enough to protect or avoid the kick entirely, and thus Max descended upon the monk mostly unimpeded. With this force, his attack would certainly finish his opponent—" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "CLANG!\n\n`\"...By the Angel, that's cutting it close.\"`\n\n```\n\"'Twould barely be a battle if it ended before-'t even had a chance t' get int'resting.\"```\n\nAn orange shield conjured entirely of magic stood between Max and Soren, blocking the lethal kick.\n\n`\"It is a good thing I can trust your strength alone. Your judgment,\"`* The Royal Physician shook his head, `\"Is often——...Sometimes, to be questioned.\"`\n\n*Just like that, the battle... Was over.\n\n \"AND THE WINNER OF THIS DUEL IS——\"*" } ]	388	16,181
409	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "\"Years of work,\" The man explained, somewhat proud. \"Many years cooking brings me here to Pacifica.\"\n\"Is the family business, cooking kebabs. Has been two decades now, counting Bulgaria.\"\n\"Eeh, what can I say? They are my calling!\"\n\nLamb souvlaki — a Greek dish cooked to utter perfection, right here in Pacifica! \nParacelsus could remember fresh the distinct Bulgarian accent of the deep-voiced kebab-cook, and his wide, toothy smile as he sent him off with a water and a kebab. He was a personality as instantly recognizable and memorable as was his food was itself: foreign, but just as welcoming and familiar as home. The taste of the souvlaki was also just as excellent the man had described it: tender, very tender, yet with an equally satisfying chew. Marbled slightly and fatty all throughout, each bite into the meat packed a delicious, juicy taste, the unique texture and flavor of lamb brought out and complemented strongly by its marinade and seasonings. As far as stall chefs go, the man may well be a culinary master indeed!\n\n`- -`\n\nDelicious as it was, there were more important matters ahead of them. Souvlaki in-hand, the Exalted approached the group of magicians, and his presence was in no way left unrecognized by the members amidst the inner circle of Cantum sorcerers encompassing the host of the Festival, Lueur d'Étoiles. Paracelsus' approach seemed to inspire equal parts of caution and curiosity from the retinue. Their eyes, aglow with mana, were collectively set upon the Exalted, ever-so-slightly on-edge.\n\nThey could sense the Exalted's Soul." }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "Hands and minds grew restless within the circle of mages at the strong and closening presence of the Exalted in approach. But as the mage motioned with her outstretched hand, beckoning the Exalted to approach, she, in a moment, quieted these rousing concerns.\n\nShe was no more easy to read at close and with eyes of flesh than it was to read her by the image of her Soul. Perhaps with no veil her brow might have been seen moving as Paracelsus addressed the group; perhaps not. Lueur was as composed and impermeable as her Vessel showed her to be, and yet still... Their ability to tug upon the strings of magic and soul and speak to her directly brought her a deal of surprise. Her mouth opened slightly as the mage impressed a message upon her Soul Itself...\n\n```\n\"It is wonderful indeed,\" she agreed, now smiling — fully composed. \"A wonderful reminder of how astonishing and wide a world we live in.\"\n\"Have you been enjoying yourself?```\n\n*`\"We may.\"`\n`\"I will begin: who are you?\"`\n\nThe tone of her Soul* Spoke to Paracelsus' own, her tone cutting and concise — a certain contrast from her pleasant greeting, yet neither aggressive nor severe. Her composure was firm and no longer allowing itself to show signs of shock nor the signs of the unspoken conversation shared between the two. She smiled, and yet her Soul Flared, a latent intent hidden within the changing fire of her gemlike `Vessel`. Beneath the veil that descended from her wide-brimmed hat, mana flared all across her eyes, her irises flaring with an appreciable arcane presence that permeated both spirit and mundane realms. It, too, was of a latent intent and nature: a subtle spell of a kind one could not entirely discern.\n\nShe cautious, perhaps. Or perhaps not." }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "No doubt the Exalted would provoke suspicion upon themself, waltzing up to the host with such a nonchalant attitude. They had no idea the woman was the host of the festival itself, only deciding to talk to her due to her prominent SOUL. They took another bite of their lamb souvlaki, the juicy meat alighting their taste buds aflame with intense euphoria. It truly was a magnificent dish—if only they had decided to inquire as to where the operator of the stand normally worked; they would've most definitely visited again to relish in the man's culinary genius. Perhaps after finalizing matters with this woman they would be able to.\n\n_\"It's been wonderful; have you had the chance to taste one of these?\"_ They referred to the kebab in their hands, _\"I can't lie, they're delicious!\"_\n\nBy now, the announcement of the Medeian King's arrival had rung out through the streets of Sanctum Mesa, Paracelsus' gaze turning to face the Custo Regni that had now populated the area. \"I didn't quite know what to expect at this festival outside of delicious food and games. I did not know such high royalty would be here,\" They commented on the king's triumphant arrival. Maybe it's possible the king could be the source of Paracelsus' allure? They pondered on this possibility for a moment before their attention returned to Lueur.\n\n_`My name is Paracelsus; I am nothing more than a skilled arcanist you could say.`_\n_`Now, I wish to prod your mind a bit. For some reason, there's a strange allure that surrounds this festival, is there not...? Something... Yearning me to be here. I do not know why; I am hoping you may be able to shed some light on this phenomenon? If not, that is alright.\"`_\n\nParacelsus spoke with Lueur via their SOUL, hoping to gleam the truth behind the strange nature of this festival." }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "```\n\"The food?\" —she mirrored, motioning toward the stand nearby. \"Once, yes; but not this night. Still, I am wholly certain it is delicious as food can be.\"```\n\nLueur folded her arms behind her back, nodding lightly toward the white-haired sorcerer in approach. That mana still glowed faintly below the surface of the veil of her hat; the subtle spell she continued to cast was still in effect. Her associates — though unaware of the conversation currently ongoing between Lueur herself and the Exalted opposite them — seemed to take note of her caution, her scrutiny careful, composed and pleasant as her appearance seemed.\n\n```\n\"The King of the Medei—\" she commented, giving it some pause — his title full of weight. \"It is, indeed, one of the greatest honors to see him here.\"\n\"Alas, I can feel no surprise in the triumph of his arrival. The Academy has prepared fastiduously to make ourselves, and the Festival also, ready to meet the King.\"\n\"Sometimes, I wish to return to the crowd: to revel and to be dazzled by the simple wonder of festivities once more,\" she laughed lightly, placing a hand to her mouth, where it after it lowered to rest beneath her chin. \"But there are still many smaller joys to be found even where there are no surprises.\"```\n_ _\n\n*`\"You yourself are a surprise, Paracelsus.\"`\n\nThe words of her SOUL* Rang clearly and again in a contrast to her physical speech.\n\n`\"I do not mean to make assumption, nor do I intend to steal from you the benefit of the doubt.\"`\n`\"Yet I know few sorcerers who possess such intimate understanding of soulcraft. And fewer yet those who do and exist outside the Academy,\"` Her head visibly tilted, though wordless she was. `\"You are much more than just a 'skilled arcanist'.\"`\n\n```\n\"The Festival of Convergence is a festival that represents crossroads, some say.\"\n\"A place where the many divergent paths of the world and the greater cosmos... Converge.\"\n\"It is a beautiful idea, is it not? That regardless of who you are, or where you come from, it draws you?\"```\n\n`\"You are drawn by a yearning of the world itself...\"`\n`\"Destiny often has a strange way of working.\"` \n\nWith both words in-body and words of-SOUL, Lueur replied.\n\n`\"I do not know what draws you. Yet perhaps I shall soon.\"`\n`\"There is nothing that the stars cannot discern, Paracelsus.\"`" }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "Paracelsus glanced over at the duels which were occurring nearby, slightly appalled by the senseless violence, even if it was in sport. They had witnessed the duel between Gryphon and William, watching the latter's abdomen being driven through by the former's spear. It was _disgusting._ They had no right to judge though; they were of another culture than the Exalted. Their gaze returned to the conversation at hand—much more of their speed.\n\n\"A great deal of effort to celebrate one individual's existence, is it not? I've always found such endeavors to be very... _fascinating_,\" They spoke their mind on the grandiose preparations for the king's arrival. They were not fond of placing unhealthy faith into a singular entity, finding it narrow-minded and foolish. After all, it is impossible to know the true motives of another individual. A debate on Medei politics could be saved for later however—it would be a shame to spoil the festival. \"I don't see why you shouldn't enjoy yourself as well...? Like I said,\" He raised his now-finished kebab, \"These are to die for...!\" They praised the man's kebabs once more before pitching the skewer.\n\n_`\"And I don't intend to lie. I'm no more than a self-taught, wandering mage.\"`_\n_`\"I do appreciate your high-regard for my skill in the field, however,\"`_ they smiled at Lueur's surprise of their talent.\n\n\"A very welcoming air surrounds the festival, I suppose. It's been some time since I've last enjoyed myself as I have here,\" Their eyes faced the floor as they reminisced on their fragmented memories, unable to recall the last time they felt such emotion.\n\n_`\"The stars, hm? Perhaps you are right.\"`_\n_`I do hope you will keep me updated. Your colleagues seem wary of me... It'd seem I'd best be going,\"`_ they noted Lueur's entourage taking on a cautious stance toward them. _`\"I presume we may be able to keep in contact through your magic, am I correct?\"`_ They awaited a response from Lueur." }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "```\n\"It is a great deal of effort.\"```\n\nShe agreed simply, but did not share any opinion of her own, her visage shifted slightly toward the arena and the King presiding over it, nothing but neutrality present on her face. Subtle purple roused beneath the veil over her eyes as mana suffused her irises, as the mage takes in the great sight of the SOULS of those far-off — of those within the Custos Regni, of those within the King's personal entourage, and of those upon the stage.\n\n```\n\"I would partake, but the duties I have been given require my whole attention.\"```\n\nHer response was simple again. Something else still occupied her focus.\n\n`\"...\"`\n\nIt was not a thought, but rather a strong-yet-vague feeling that Lueur had communicated to Paracelsus via their shared connection. An emotion that could never be told through words — it felt like two opposites pressing against one another: conflict that earnestly sought out resolution.\n\nHer visage returned to Paracelsus as they confirmed themself once more to be no more than a self-taught mage. She sensed no intent to deceive, yet still found it hard to believe.\n\n`\"Perhaps the times are changing again.\"`\n\n```\n\"It's a wondrous sensation. The world unfolded at arms-reach before you.\"```\n\n`\"Wary?\"`\n`\"...Ah.\"`\n\n...She briefly glanced over her companions, before nodding slightly.\n\n`\"You're right.\"`\n`\"Please forgive them. They are merely cautious of your SOUL.\"`\n`\"It is a rarity to see one of such effulgence. I have seen some, in my time — White Souls, that is. They... Have not.\"`\n`\"If it does bother you, I can ask them to—\"`\n\nLueur paused. A presence was approaching. Paracelsus could feel it too." }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "It started first with the figments of an intense *SOUL* In close approach, a noticeable disruption sweeping through the spirit realm in such a way that one even basically attuned with the concept of SOULS could detect.\n\nThen it continued with the emergence of a potent essence of a shifting Vessel that seeped forward a peculiar mana, almost as though it was... Staining the realm of spirits around itself.\n\nOne's soul-scrying eyes are then brought to the form of the robed, masked, tall individual in approach, his Spirit shimmering white, clear like a star; a perfect radiance and a perfect purity not unlike Paracelsus' own. His arrival was permeated by his presence that so densely suffused his surroundings that it was made immediately evident that he was a potent sorcerer and practitioner of soulcraft — a master at soulcraft, in fact. His Spirit was of such a pure essence that it seemed almost contrived, unreflective of his inner self—\n\n—and so pure that it made it especially startling when one saw the core of pure, crude Black Suspended within, as though entrapped perfectly within an outer shell.\n\nThat mana that stained the world around him — it was the chaos of the `SOUL OF CHAOS` Seething beyond the Vessel and juxtaposed half that kept it stable.\n\nHe approached. He approached Lueur and Paracelsus.\n\n*`\"The Mage of Starlight!\"`\n`\"...How wonderful it is...\"`\n`\"...To see you again.\"`\n\nHe approached and he directly addressed Lueur, his words slightly delayed, as he turned to glance toward Paracelsus. Behind his mask, the Exalted could clearly sense it — bright as day, his eyes were peering, a strong soulsight openly in use.\n\n`\"And you...\"`\n`\"...Hm... You are not with the Academy, are you...?\"`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "But I am once again asking for a Paracelsus post" }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "_`\"Do not feel you need to go out of your way for me, I may be a White Soul, but for the time being... I only wish to enjoy the festivities.\"`_\n\nParacelsus did not wish to bother Lueur with his presence, understanding she no doubt had important duties to attend to; the Exalted prepared to depart from the conversation, before that same stench that Lueur had picked up on became known to them. It was one Paracelsus was all the more familiar with: a Black Soul.\n\nTheir attention immediately turned to face the presence that approached the group. They were not met with a Temporal Beast however, instead being greeted by a sane individual. The Exalted had heard of the concept of sane Black Souls existing, but the mere presence of one was enough to unease them. Though, nestled deep within the man's soul was a purity that raged against the corruption: the latent speckle of a White Soul. A shameful thing, that—disturbing the radiance of one's soul of purity with the stain of chaos.\n\nSotsui's use of soulsight upon Paracelsus would be met with great resistance, but would nevertheless succeed in revealing to him that they were a White Soul. The Exalted was aware of his use of soulsight, but did not openly question it—after all, they had used their own upon the man.\n\n\"Mm, I am not with the Academy—I'm self-taught. I was just getting ready to return to the festival, but I suppose I can stay and chat for a while longer,\" The Exalted went back on their initial plan, opting to stay with the group; this man had peaked their interest a great deal, no matter how revolting he was. \"If I may, I don't believe I ever asked for your name,\" Their attention fixated on Lueur, \"I am Paracelsus.\" They introduced themselves to the group, only having mentioned their name to Lueur via her web of telepathic communication.\n\nThey motioned towards the unknown man as well, \"You as well, if you don't mind?\"" }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "A man clad in a strange mask and clad in a strange robe; a man of a strange SOUL* And of a strange mana. Chaotic energy in increasing intensity permeated from the man as his twin-natured SOUL Grew closer in approach, traces of that same, dark, negative energy effervescing beyond the expanses of the white-hued cradle that was his Spirit, and the peculiar, thin, iridescent Vessel whose transparent tincture shifted with the fluctuations of uncontrollable magic that seethed beyond it. White and black; pure emptiness and pure fullness; the duality and opposition of both immiscible chromatic hues on open display in a single, cloven SOUL.\n\n`\"...Hm.\"`\n\nThe man's visage remained fixed, any immediate response quiet and long-delayed, together as though he was processing something — something that Paracelsus had done; perhaps their use of `Soulsight` a matter of the masked magician's question — or, instead, maybe appraising the Exalted's character from a more mundane perspective, his hand held over his mouth and a short pause following their brief greetings. The white-and-black-SOULEd man was unreadable as he was peculiar.\n\nHis hand lowers, and there is then revealed a smile on his face.\n\n`\"...Paracelsus.\"`\n`\"...Interesting... Interesting.\"` He repeated himself. \n`\"You may call me...\"` — he placed a hand over his chest, his head tilting back as his smile grew slightly — `\"Sōtsui.\"`\n\n`\"...Ah. The matter of names...\"`\n`\"...It's been a while. I am curious as well.`\n`\"I would no longer call you by...\"` —he paused, purposefully, and motioned lightly to Lueur, as though there was something he could say, yet did not, remaining in a moment of hesitation born of a respect for her and who she wished no longer to be." }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "```\n\"You may call me Lueur d'Étoiles. It is a simple title, but it has served me well as a name.\"\n\"And as I always shall be — I am the Mage of Starlight.\", she, much like Sōtsui, placed a hand to her chest, introducing herself. \"——But that, you already know.\"\n\"You never were one to forget.\"```\n\nBoth Lueur's SOUL And disposition were odd to read, her Vessel potently withholding any information on the fluctuations of her Spirit equally-as-much as her expression remained neutral, all as though there was an impassable level of separation between her and those to whom she spoke." }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "`\"I see.\"`\n\nHis response was cold, and though he seemed in some part warm with Lueur, he did not grant her the same smile he gave Paracelsus, his response similarly curt, both as though there was something he desired to hear or find or see that he ultimately did not. \n\nAgain, his masked visage returns to the Exalted, and sparing little more than a moment following their initial interaction, cuts imminently for the heart of the conversation in a single, unexpected stroke—\n\n __*`\"What are you?\"`__\n\nHis words were strong, unbelievably so, as though there was a world of weight and knowledge of what should be unknowable behind it, all emplaced within a single sentence with neither a care for tact nor discretion. It was as though he was questioning Paracelsus' very Existence.\n\n`\"I have not seen a White Soul in several years,\"`* He departed from their collective silence upon the topic of viewing one-another's SOULS, something which Lueur herself was complicit in, though much more discreetly than Sōtsui and perhaps even Paracelsus themself.\n`\"...And you resist my attempt to pry further with a proficiency Eleanor herself cannot reciprocate.\"`\n`\"You see and pull upon the strings that bind Souls one-to-another like that of an arras' weaver.\"`\n\nAnd now, he departed entirely from the rule and tempo of the conversation — stating all things which once he would have left unsaid: of secrets and of names left hidden — as, though possessed, something came strongly over him.\n_ _\n\n*Curiosity.\n\nUnbound, unhindered curiosity.\nHis SOUL* Shimmered brightly, its white growing effulgent, as the chaos of its blackness seethed ominously from within.\n\n`\"What are you?\"`\n`\"A blank canvas?\"`\n`\"Or a light that cuts through impurity?\"` \n\nHe honed his question, more directly casting light upon the subject of his query: the nature of Paracelsus' SOUL. Like his own, the Exalted's Spirit was of a unique and profoundly-potent nature. Sōtsui's expression remained neutral, yet the fluctuations in his SOUL Told openly of all his fervent emotion: curiosity, unbound, unhindered." }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "The Exalted's gaze pierced through that of Sōtsui's at his question, them reassessing their next course of action with haste. Was this monstrosity an impending threat? Or were they merely curious? Their demeanor certainly did not help the mage discern the truth, Sōtsui's unreadable nature taking affect. They had other ways of extracting the truth behind this man's mysterious figure, a powerful form of soulsight taking root upon their SOUL. It was no doubt easily noticeable by Sōtsui, the Exalted making no effort to hide the powerful magicks that had peered into their SOUL. The information gathered by Paracelsus' use of soulsight granted them insight to the inner workings of the man's hybridized-SOUL.\n\nThe answer behind the man's intentions was contradictory—his SOUL was crying out to slaughter the Exalted, but was also fighting against that desire to maintain civility. In the end, no black SOUL can control their innate desire to destroy, but it would seem Sōtsui was capable of suppressing that desire through his white half; an interesting prospect. Paracelsus deemed that the man meant no harm truly, but they could sense the blackened half of their SOUL scratching at the seams, begging to be unleashed upon them. Paracelsus themself held a strong desire to be rid of this evil that stood before them, but would not act upon it.\n\n_ _\n\"Not fond of privacy, are you?\" Their eyes motioned towards Lueur's colleagues, \"Nevertheless, it is good to meet you, Sōtsui.\" They warmly greeted the man despite their inner hatred for him. \"As I have said to Lueur, I am nothing more than a wandering mage. Though, I suppose that may not suffice for someone of your ilk,\" Paracelsus referred to both the man's curiosity and SOUL. \"I dislike my privacy being invaded—such is why I resisted your use of soulsight,\" They were unfazed by the man's imposing nature and continuous questions, remaining expressionless and calm. \"I'm afraid I don't have much else to offer you in regards to my SOUL. I have questions of my own about your... _interesting_ SOUL, but I do not wish to burden you with them now, Sōtsui. Perhaps another time?\" The Exalted remained enigmatic about their origins and state of being, not wishing to engage in a deep conversation in the midst of the festival." }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "A heart of pure chaos enveloped by a shroud of white. It was indeed an implausible thing, an ambivalent SOUL Of bifold nature; a pure-white integumentary shell outlaying a fully-germinated seed of chaos. They were two things that constantly existed in a state of tension against one another, the war within consuming what profound depth of its Spirit could resist what influences and inquests originated from the world without. It, in stark contrast to the Exalted's own SOUL, was remarkably accepting of the world around it; peering beyond and into its Vessel would be as easy as, if not easier than, peering into any other SOUL. And yet what intents and desires so easily found beyond that Vessel would be found self-defeating — contradictory.\n\nBecause a contradiction was exactly what Sōtsui was.\nCloven in opposition; antipodes in a volatile system of reciprocity. Dual-natured and defying all expectations.\nIt was indeed an Interesting Thing. Interesting And... Concerning.\n\n`\"...\"`\n\nThere seemed a deep-seated interest within the binary-SOULEd sorcerer regarding the Exalted's presence, something of their nature prevailing as outlying existence unlike any other. Perhaps it could be said the peculiarity of the masked man's own SOUL Had led him to a conclusion of such a regard, his sensitivity to the individualism of certain souls honed by the two extremes colliding within his own. And as such, Paracelsus' lack of a satisfying answer had brought him some sense of displeasure. There is scarcely anything more frustrating than the concept of Curiosity, unfulfilled.\n\nThat is to say, he folds his arms behind his back, his head tilts, his expression shifts lightly — though that displeasure does not allow itself to surface — and his SOUL Flickers lightly, what chaos seething within boiling ever-hotter; what resistance of its outer prison closing ever-tighter. \n\n`\"I... See.\"`\n`\"...Another time...\"`\n`\"...Yes, another time.\"`\n_ _\n\nHe repeated himself, and the flow of his words slowed; they were less decisive and more contemplated. Or perhaps he was merely preoccupied.\n\n`- -` \n\n`\"I apologize for my indiscretion,\"` He spoke, clearly.\n In a moment, all what prior notions defined him — imminent, imposing, subtly defiant, and as one though possessed — disappeared in an instant, the light like sun that denoted the use of his `Soulsight` Behind his mask dying out, and the man now as composed and elegant as the veneer of its gilded form upon his face. But of the words that earlier could and can now no longer describe him, \"Peculiar\" Was not among those then revoked.\n\n`\"...It is... Not my intent to treat others' privacy as an... Unsacred thing.\"`\n`\"Yet I often find myself testing boundaries and limits; searching for knowledge where others are incapable and unwilling of going.\"`\n`\"...Hm. Perhaps it is better phrased like this.\"`\n\n`\"I am just curious, is all.\"`\n\n`\"...It is a wonderful thing. This Festival.\"`\n`\"In what short time I have been here\"`\n`\"...There have already been two who have roused my curiosity.\"`\n\nNow his smile returned, and he motioned one hand outward.\n\n`\"I hope you do not mind if I solicit some knowledge from you. Paracelsus.\"`\n`\"...At a later time... Of course.\"`\n\nSōtsui's gaze shifted to Lueur — the one whom he initially intended to speak with, and the primary reason he had even come here in the first place.\n\n`\"...Mm. Back to the matter at hand, I suppose...\"`\n`\"Mage of Starlight. I have answered your call.\"`\n`\"...Your intuition is... Veracious. Yet again.\"`\n`\"...Concerningly so.\"`\n\n`\"I will look into it further.\"`\n`\"...In person, preferably. I hope you will not find it unagreeable for me to venture the Festival grounds alone.\"`\n`\"There is something else I wish to verify personally.\"`" }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "Lueur had remained an onlooker from the moment Sōtsui arrived onward; neutral, as though waiting.\nHer disposition toward the two seemed to waver, as their interaction went on, though not in any manner that exceeded what tremendously-refined control she held over her outward character and overall demeanor. Her lips may have pursed, but no more than what would seem natural; her hands shifted position, but never enough to draw attention to herself; and her stance swayed softly to the side, yet not enough as to grant an overall semblance of change to her overall presence. \n\nIt seemed she had taken a peculiarly withdrawn stance from the two's conversation. Though what subtle, but keen interest she had shown the Exalted earlier, she seemed now to return to her reclusivity, a blank expression on her face, and a gentle, though commanding air about her. She seemed an overseer to an interaction of two, greatly alike her in some manners and greatly unlike her in many others more. It was only when she was addressed by Sōtsui directly that she returned to her state of active presence, as though waiting specifically for such an address.\n\n```\n\"Very well. But I would again remind you to beware of the precarious position you remain in, 'Sōtsui'.\"\n\"Many of the powers presiding over this Festival are unkindly to those of your ilk.\"\n\"I am here, tonight, on behalf of the Academy. And for them I must speak: that you are an outsider, still, and untrusted wholly.\"```\n\nWhat tension existed in her words would seem to suggest that there was an underlying sense of regret. Yet as one placed their eyes upon her face, there was found no hesitation, no regret nor remorse; all of it was concealed, or perhaps destroyed, unable to surface beyond what seemed the infinite depth of the semblance that divided the woman, truly, and the mage — the Mage of Starlight." }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "Paracelsus' opposition to the man's corrupted half was stowed away in light of his remaining purity, continuing to treat him with respect throughout their short conversation. They had a strong desire to learn what drove Sōtsui to allowing such evil to infest his being; no normal creature would ever think about shouldering the burden of chaos willingly. A _very_ interesting individual Sōtsui was. The two were complete opposites to each other in many aspects, but both possessed a shared interest in each other—one an open book and one closed. Paracelsus would be unable to siphon all they wished to know via soulsight alone, opting to continue conversation with him at a later date.\n\n\"I apologize as well for my own unwillingness to part with what you wish to know, but a time will come for us to chat,\" Paracelsus responded to Sōtsui with an apology of their own, \"I take no offense to your curiosity—after all, I share that very same thing in regards to yourself.\"\n\nParacelsus' eyebrows furrowed in response to Sōtsui and Lueur's talk, interested in the situation that surrounded the masked man's presence. It was easy to see the... _problem,_ with having one such as Sōtsui freely roam the festival—not mentioning his little regard for his own privacy. Paracelsus themself were disturbed with his presence, but had dispelled those feelings for the time being, replacing them with a desire to know. Though, perhaps this was an opportunity come early for the two to be able to speak with each other.\n\n_ _\nParacelsus cleared his throat, before slightly raising his right hand, \"If you don't mind, I have a solution to your dilemma I believe,\" They butted into the conversation, \"Perhaps I could accompany you throughout the festival, Sōtsui? We did wish to speak, after all.\" Paracelsus' gaze turned to Sōtsui, requesting the two accompany each other. Paracelsus would be able to keep tabs on the masked man, while the both of them would be able to speak freely whilst venturing; having a white SOUL alongside might also encourage prying eyes to relinquish any intrusive thoughts.\n\n_`I believe this works out for you as well, Lueur. If problems arise that cannot be handled, I will be able to keep in touch with you. I wish to speak with him more as well.`_\n\nParacelsus spoke to the Mage of Starlight through her magic once more, assuring her that their company would be beneficial." }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "A fissure broke into the ambivalence that permeated the masked man and all the peculiarity of his character following Lueur's response and her subsequent warning. All of the twos' interaction one-between-another would reasonably lead an onlooker to believe that they possessed some sort of history together — some familiar memories of an association, perhaps distantly-past, yet still firm and set in history. Yet in that singular moment, there arose a divide even greater than the one created by the ongoing masquerade the two had been delicately dancing around — of veneers and personalities not their own; of distance created out of necessity rather than by what true desires laid beneath their infinitely-dense façades. The man's face contorted, an emotion both amorphous in form and ambiguous in nature, yet whole and true and genuine, shown: the first of its kind he had displayed since his arrival. \n\nYet as Paracelsus granted their response and chimed with their thoughts, the sorcerer's visage tilted inward, and he placed a hand to his chin, nodding lightly. In a single interchange, a veil was both created and spread thick over the surface of that emerging sentiment before it could be wholly given form, and it was again made hard to find what, exactly, was weighing upon his mind. It seemed, though, that the Exalted's sensibility and open-mindedness had struck a chord with Sōtsui; thus, evading both truth and readability, the masked sorcerer smiled once more, his hand lowering to his chest and resting above his heart as he leaned back. He was an open book, indeed; yet the words upon the pages of his SOUL Were lain one atop another, again and again, such that it became difficult to read into the cipher of intermingling interests, aspirations, characteristics, desires, and emotions superimposed — made unreadable by the `chaotic` Manner withwhich they were written.\n\n`\"...I have no reservations regarding the matter. Do you?\"`" }, { "author": "Lueur d'Etoiles", "message": "```\n\"It will suffice,\" she spoke decisively and pleasantly, though implicit doubt laced the sentiment.\n\"In any case, I am not one to say how two independent gentlemen should enjoy the Festival.\"\n\"And please, do,\" Lueur bowed lightly, placing her hand again over her heart as if to mirror Sōtsui, \"⸺enjoy yourselves.\"```\n\nLueur smiled. The entourage around her, however, did not, nor did they share any Sense Of the pleasant sentiment that the Mage of Starlight had put on. Some openly grimaced; others remained in an artificial placation, though clearly on-edge and bordering on inwardly terrified, and the use of `Soulsight` Would immediately reveal the sensation of sharp displeasure that pervaded them all. They had been placed on-edge with the arrival of the Exalted alone; Sōtsui's emergence was like that of a monster — of the kind they feared someone like Paracelsus could Theoretically Be — granted unequivocal realization.\n\n`\"Do ensure he does not cause you or anyone else any trouble.\"`\n`\"His reputation already proceeds him in ways I have long lamented to see.\"`\n\nHer visage lifted lightly up to Paracelsus as she gave the Exalted a finishing remark via her intricate web of `Soulspeech,` A stern expression on her face." }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "His smile grew into a full grin, and he motioned toward Paracelsus, an open hand out towards them.\n\n`\"...Well, then. Shall we get going?\"`" }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "Paracelsus gave a warm smile towards Sōtsui, joyed by his openness for the idea. They were by no means wishing to befriend the dual souled individual, their entire body rejecting his presence. Black souls are and will always be a stain upon this world, but Sōtsui's unusual personality drew Paracelsus into his orbit. Their gaze switched from the man of chaos to the lady of order, her response to the idea settling it. They couldn't quite remember a time they had an opportunity to enjoy the merriment of such an event—not to mention with company. Loneliness had become a normality for the Exalted, but maybe it needn't be forever.\n\n\"Of course—we will spare no effort to relish in what you put together,\" Paracelsus tilted their head down as they spoke, mimicking the two as they planted their right hand upon their heart; finishing off with a light bow, they straightened themselves as Lueur's voice resonated throughout their mind.\n\n_`\"I assure you—I only wish to speak with him and enjoy what you've made;\"`_\n_`he will not cause any problems whilst I am with him.`_\n\nParacelsus gave one last smile to the mage before turning away from her and joining Sōtsui. It'd be best that the two made some distance from Lueur's followers, the Exalted easily able to discern their uneasiness towards Sōtsui and even themself.\n\n\"...Yes, let's,\" An immense amount of hatred began pooling in the Exalted's soul as they glared at the outstretched hand.\n\n_ _\n*`What am I doing...?`\n\nTheir eyes raised to match Sotsui's. Their breaths became shallow—shaky—as their hand twitched ever so slightly.\n\n`...Is this right?`\n\nTheir head snapped away from the soul of chaos, scanning the festival that surrounded them. The laughter of festival-goers grew louder—Paracelsus' wrist flicking upwards as their fingers began to stretch outwards. Their gaze returned to Sōtsui sharply.\n\n`I... Have to, don't I...?`\n\nAn indistinguishable mumble could be heard from the Exalted, before it was cut short abruptly.\n\nWhat ailed them had come to a sudden end, Paracelsus closing their eyes as they took a deep breath and grasped Sōtsui's hand, \"Apologies. Something came over me for a moment, but I'm alright now,\" They reassured Sōtsui, Paracelsus' sudden state of almost panic being easily noticeable. Their moment of trepidation had only lasted mere seconds, but it was no doubt an unusual sight for Sōtsui. Though, Paracelsus' current state was a longshot from what it was seconds ago; it was as if it had never happened from their perspective.\n\n\"Are you familiar with this city?\" Their warm smile returned, inquiring Sōtsui of Sanctum Mesa, \"Do you know of any notable locations we could venture to?\"" }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "He was all too familiar with what Paracelsus' shifting countenance suggested.\nTime-and-time again, he had seen the very same pattern.\n\nA smile grows tired, and the laughter begins to fade\nTheir breath unsteady, as the lungs go shallow\nThey look, and deep within their eyes,\nA profound animosity\nDisgust, repulsion\nHatred, perhaps\nAnd, most terrible of all\nFear.\n\nHis palm turned over, and his fingers furled lightly in. That outstretched hand descended along his side, where it met, twixt with the fingers of his opposite, poised hand, both folding gently together and resting loosely against his lower-center. As it descended, his smile faded, leaving nothing in its place.\n_ _\n\n```\nRecognize yourself for what you are.```\n\n_ _\nThe words echoed as clear as the day they were spoken.\n_ _\n\n```\n... Monster.```\n\n_ _\nThey were written there, by the place closest to his heart.\n\n`\"It's all right.\"`\n\nA low smile returned to Sōtsui's face. Yet, now, there seemed a world of distance between the man before the Exalted and the `SOUL`* Behind the opaque eyes of the mask, prim, upon his visage. That cloven, ambivalent thing flickered, what vestiges of chaos that once perfused its `Vessel` Now tightly captured within the clutches of unalloyed white: its perfect, blank, juxtaposing half.\n\n`\"I understand.\"`\n\nIt was hard to tell what he was feeling, if anything at all. But one could be sure that he was not lying when he said he understood.\n\n`- -`\n\nAnd now, everything would continue as if nothing had happened to begin with.\n\n`\"I have not been within Sanctum Mesa for a very long time.\"`\n`\"But...\"`\n`\"...There is a place I had in mind.\"`\n\nHis visage shifted in the direction of the `Margo Aeternitatis`, yet not with the intent to survey the event itself; rather, something that lied beyond it. Further southward, there was...\n\n`\"...Hm.\"`\n\nYet the roar, the clash, the heat of it all — one had even managed the use of `Transcendence` (and at that Sōtsui did indeed marvel) — between him and his destination made it seem... Inopportune, at this moment in time, to venture toward. He would prefer a more peaceful environment for a more peaceful conversation, one which he sought to attain some form of enlightenment from.\n\n`\"...But, perhaps... A detour, first.\"`\n_ _\n\nMagic flickered behind the form of his mask as he seemingly cast a spell — this time, not `Soulsight`, his visage shifting left-to-right, right-to-left, as though, with the magicka channeled, he was surveying his surroundings. Then, with the dismissal of his spell, he set a course in mind, stepping forth into the magic-lit eventide city, making way through a longer, more discrete path through to his destination. It would afford them more time to speak.\n\nThe stage began to shift. From the orchestral harmony of `SOUL`S intermingling in the mainstreets of a bustling event (or a cacophony, depending on one's viewpoint) to a more humble, beautiful scene, they broke from one part of Sanctum Mesa into the next. On either side, flanking them both, were street- and mage-lights both, decorating closer, winding paths through shorter streets crossing one-over-another. Shades of light-blue and faded-yellow flickered from the distant buildings that touched the sky overhead, dimming, as they grew further from the nucleus of the celebration. And while the noise died down, the heart of merriment was no further from them than the moment they departed — banners, streamers, tapestries, and magical lights all still continued to dance on the skyline above and around them, each `SOUL` That passed beyond them still abuzz with the warmth of celebration.\n\nSōtsui did not speak as they walked.\nIt seemed that he was waiting for something; perhaps an initiation from Paracelsus themself, or... Perhaps something else." }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "Paracelsus could feel Sōtsui's familiarity with their reaction; it wouldn't be a far cry to say the man had been met with this everywhere he went. Reacting the way they did wasn't their intention—it wasn't their choice; something truly did come over them, their _`SOUL`_ crying out to cease all niceties with the man in front of them. Paracelsus did not know why, but it felt _right_ to extinguish this man's life. They brushed aside that raging feeling though, quelling it for the time being. Even still—they felt no remorse or sorrow for Sōtsui.\n\nThey watched as his hand lowered to his side in melancholy, a great divide forming between the two. No matter what Paracelsus said, it'd be for naught; it was just in their nature, \"It wasn't my intention; don't let this spoil our time together,\" They said all they could muster, wishing to still chat with Sōtsui now that they had stabilized themself. The Exalted was no stranger to loneliness, being able to empathize—if that word had any meaning to them—with the man.\n\nUpon the man's smile returning to his downtrodden visage, they lent an ear to him. Their gaze shifted to mimick Sōtsui's, squinting their eyes as they spotted the effulgent gold that drifted throughout the air amongst the dueling arenas—remnants of Soren's `Transcendence`. Even from here, they could still hear the sounds of blades clashing and feel the resonation of various magicks; the duels were still ongoing it would seem.\n\n_ _\n\"A detour...?\" Their eyebrow raised in response to Sōtsui's suggestion, Paracelsus sensing the man's usage of magic. \"I suppose that is fine. You know this city better than I,\" Paracelsus smirked, extending his right hand towards the man before the two set off, \"Let's start over.\"\n\nWhether or not the man would indulge Paracelsus' request for them to start over, they would follow them throughout the bustling streets of Sanctum Mesa. The murmurings of festival-goers permeated the air around them: laughter, merriment, and _gossip._ There would no doubt be whispers about the two of them, Sōtsui's prodigious presence drawing no shortage of attention. Despite the commotion that surrounded them, the two were dead silent for much of their journey together, neither speaking.\n\n\"You said you hadn't been to Sanctum Mesa in a while. If you don't mind my asking, where did you come from?\" They broke the silence with a simple, lighthearted question." }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "As the mana died down behind the sorcerer's golden mask, he gave a little upward nod as he turned over his shoulder to stare at the Exalted, his head tilting back and his grin widening only slightly. There was certainly an acknowledgement, of their offer to start over, and there was certainly an emotion, of some sort, inspired behind that mask of his; yet one simply could not speak definitively of either. He accepted the offer; he denied the offer; he brushed the offer off; he had already moved onto begin with: all of these responses seemed like they could reasonably be true. Yet it was impossible to hone the meaning of his gesture to an individual one of these truths — for there were multiple, in fact, each being as contradictory as his `SOUL` Was itself.\n\nIt was difficult to grasp who Sōtsui was.\n\n`\"...I\"` He spoke in response, pausing, both in walk and in word.\n`\"...Came here following a visit to Medeia. I wished to investigate an object of my curiosity there.\"`\n`\"...Hm. I suppose that's not what you're asking about... Is it?\"`\n\nHe began again to pace slowly forward.\n\n`\"I do not come from anywhere I would call home.\"`\n`\"...Merely,\"` \n`\"I am a mage who wanders the earth.\"`\n\nHis hands folded behind his back, his gaze shifting slightly. Mana flickered behind his mask as he reoriented himself.\n\n`\"I would assume the same is true of you.\"`\n`\"Paracelsus.\"`\n`\"Do you have a home?\"`" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "But I need my post." }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "As Sōtsui turned his back to them, a slight frown came over the Exalted's face as their hope of restarting was cast aside; it was understandable though—Paracelsus could acknowledge the masked man's sorrow and loneliness. It was at least clear to them that he had made some thought of it. They only wished they could understand their own sudden outbursts.\n\nParacelsus listened to the man's response about his origins, discovering there was more that they were alike in. It was strange to meet someone so similar, yet so different at the same time. Paracelsus had a desire to be friends with the man, but also had a desire to be rid of the man. It had been a while since they'd felt this conflicted; perhaps even years. For the time though, they desired to form an uneasy friendship with the man.\n\n\"...A wanderer, hm?\" They mumbled to themself looking down, lost in thought. They would suddenly be snapped back to the conversation upon the masked man's question.\n\n\"Do I have a home...?\" Paracelsus thought on the question, it being quite a sensitive one to him, \"...I suppose here is my home. _All,_ of it.\"\n\nTheir gaze turned to Sōtsui upon answering, \"Though, I suppose I don't have one specific place that is a home of mine,\" They gave a slight smile, reflecting upon the two's similarities. \"...We're quite similar in many aspects, aren't we? How funny.\"\n\nParacelsus kept to the man's side as they walked, sliding their hands into the pockets of their coat, \"...Funny indeed.\"" }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "`\"I see.\"`\n\nThere lingered a pause between Paracelsus' words — even following the denouement of their statement — and Sōtsui reply, as he spoke simply in response. As much as there seemed to be a weight and hesitance within the Exalted's words, there seemed to be a weight and hesitance within the masked, cloven-*`SOUL`Ed man's own. More than that, the man seemed distant — far, in a world of his own.\n\n`\"...I was told, long ago\"`\n`\"The clearest mirror,\"`\n`\"— that which that reflects even the SOUL —\"`\n`\"...Is... The world, itself.\"`\nHe replied to the lattermost of their statements.\n\nThe mirror of the `SOUL`* Is the world.\nIt was incredible how clearly one grew to understand what constitutes their self in the image of another person. The greatest mirror is the world, for one's perception of it — their circumstances and those around them — defines everything that they are. \nIn them, he saw himself. In him, they saw themself. The sharp contrast between the two only served to delineate the many ways in which they were alike.\n\nThere came again a long pause.\nA soft breeze drifted past them. The air at eventide was calm, and only slightly chill, pleasantly cool to the touch. It was quieter with the distance they had built from the heart of the festival.\n\n`\"Once,\"`\n`\"I had a home.\"`\n`\"...I learned that it was a place...\"`\n`\"...Defined by a sense of... Belonging.\"`\n`\"The heart desires to stay in a place\"`\n`\"...Where it, itself, feels desired.\"`\n\nThe opposite, also, was true." }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "\"...Where it feels desired?\" Paracelsus pondered upon the man's description of his home; it was tough to relate, Paracelsus not being desired within the place they called home. It, nevertheless, is—and always will be—their home. \"I suppose we can't be similar in every aspect, can we?\" They commented on the stark contrast between the two's opinions of home, \"I desire to exist in this world, yet it does not feel the same about me. I can't say for sure why I possess such strong emotion towards my existence in this world—nor can I think of why my existence is dreaded. These are things I hope to one day discover for myself again,\" A long pause erupted during Paracelsus' elucidation upon their nature.\n\n\"...Again...?\" Paracelsus repeated the word to themself aloud, \"Funny... I can't recall there being a time I knew anything about myself. I wonder why I chose that word. How strange...!\" Paracelsus laughed to themself—partly as a way to ease their own thoughts and to begin steering the two away from this conversation. \"Are we close to this spot you wished to show me, Sōtsui?\" Paracelsus' gaze turned away from the man, looking behind him, \"We've grown quite far away from the heart of the festival,\" Their eyes returned to Sōtsui. \"It is pleasant being away from the bustling festivities for a moment.\"" }, { "author": "Sotsui", "message": "The Exalted's response extended a strange description of their own existence within the world and the universe itself, branching even further the endless roads of possibility behind their identity that Sōtsui had earlier wished to see explored. Paracelsus, in many ways, was an existence before him that became increasingly interesting the longer he stayed around them; the sorcerer enunciated a `\"...Hm,\"` Lightly, his visage shifting briefly to face them.\n\n`\"No,\"`\n`\"We can not.\"`\n\nHe answered simply Paracelsus' earlier statement: that they could not be similar in every aspect. By the time he had agreed and thought to ask the question now burning within his mind, Paracelsus had already shifted the direction of the conversation, attention drawn away from the peculiar statement they had made.\n\n`\"...This world... Dreads you...?\"`\n\n...With a pause, he murmured beneath his breath. His footsteps became rhythmic as awareness of his surroundings began to fade, consumed amidst the tides of curiosity stirring intensely within his mind. If that meant what he thought it meant, that meant they, too, were aware of—\n\n`\"...I suppose this should not come as unexpected.\"`\n\nAll that train of thought was interrupted, as the masked sorcerer was made aware of a presence lingering on the horizon. A potent detection magic was in use, stood upon the horizon—someone was watching the two. More specifically, someone was watching Him: He could feel the burning heat of `Soulsight` In use, honed upon his `SOUL`.\n\n`\"...Our conversation... May be cut short.\"`\n`\"I wished to confer with you in private of the matter of your SOUL,\"` Now he revealed his intentions simply. `\"I thought it a good idea to solicit the knowledge of you on the way to another who had roused my curiosity.\"`\n`\"...Unfortunately, it seems\"`\n`\"That I may have lead you toward trouble...\"`" }, { "author": "Paracelsus", "message": "\"Garden of Eden.\" Sotsui is engulfed by the transcendence, turning into a sausage." } ]	422	11,861
308.722222	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "As Athena wields Sasori and a sawn-off-shotgun, \"REED\" Is given the opportunity to select two items from the armory of the Custos Regni. His choice is to take both the shield and the bow. Athena may sacrifice the shotgun to restrict \"REED\"'s choice to a single item, and may additionally sacrifice both to arm herself with a single item from the armory.\n\n\"REED\" Calderon is chosen to begin the battle via coin-toss." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "Stepping back into the ring following a longer healing period than most — his wounds being quite deep, second-degree burns charring multiple portions of his body and the unseen beginnings of a fracture damaging his right wrist — the lizardlike Medeian warrior, Calderon, eyed Athena with a strong gaze as he examined her form, and, more pressingly, her Weaponry. His tail sways behind him as he tightens his gaze on the shotgun, a swelling sense of anticipation filling his heart.\n\n`\"Mmm...\"`\n`\"You are very much the wildcard of this tournament,\"` Calderon's gaze shifted, as he tilted his head. `\"The other combatants, I am sure I can defeat.\"`\n`\"But you?\"`\n\nHe shrugged, one hand motioning lightly toward Athena. The warrior then stanced himself in position, directly opposite Athena by the standardized distance, his left hand upon the sword sheathed at his hip.\n\n`\"Let us go.\"`\n\n__*`ADRENALINE RUSH`__\nThe very first action he takes is not unsheathing his sword, but activating a spell.\nAs `Total Body Reinforcement`* Activates, a purplish aura engulfing the warrior, a much stronger mana cascades forth, washing over his mind and body. His legs are filled with tremendous strength as he begins to accelerate at breakneck speed, reaching 33 km/h in a mere 2 seconds, and his top speed of an unbelievable near-80 km/h in about eight seconds of acceleration.\n\nAll this, as he sprints directly away from Athena, building distance as soon as the battle began.\n\n`This much is the bare minimum,` He thought. `This much just to avoid that weapon she holds!`\n\nCalderon's feet skid to a stop, his claws digging against the smooth marble of the arena's floor just before he reaches the outer bounds of the arena, a full 15 meters away from Athena. The enchanted buckler still swaying at his wrist, he — as *`Adrenaline Rush`'s* Effects had just began to fade — plucked back on its magical drawstring. Having earlier witnessed in the corner of his eye that illusory warrior, Sofja, utilize the tool, he would literally give the thing a shot; it was not like he had better options against an opponent with a shotgun, anyway.\n\nPractically starting the duel at full-range, Calderon nocked an ephemeral, mana-formed arrow, leasing the string and hurling the arcane projectile straight toward Athena's center-mass." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "As The battle begins, Athena stands in a position that allows easy movement and easy access to unsheathe her katana, Her hand laying on the handle of her katana. To her shock though, Reed brought a bow to this battle. Showing no emotion she thinks of another plan to face this new challenge, As reed backs up and draws his bow\n\n```\nShit, Time for a new plan. Can't let the enemy know your next move. Strike Hard, Strike Fast. NO MERCY, The arena will save him afterall. 50 Feet. Most incarnations are used for battle or to help in a sense, Maybe i could throw him off. Play mindgames. Close the Distance.\n```\n\nAs Reed releases the bow, Athena Jumps to the right, moving fast and keeping stance as she lands, She unsheathes her katana and Summons\n\n```\nDUALITY\n```\n\nAs a Crow and Dove Manifest on Athena's shoulders, She jabs her katana in the direction of her foe as if pointing at her opponent and giving a signal for the birds, She then takes two steps forward and returns to stance. The birds fly off to Circle Reed. The birds of course would not... Can not attack... In a physical sense. But the crow has a specialty in Emotional Damage.\n-\n```\n\"Scared of a simple girl, Now are we?, Keeping your distance, You should fight like the warrior you were in your last match. You Coward!, Your weak will, Disgusts me.\"\n```\n\nAttempting to get under Reed's skin and anger him, The crow throws a volley of insults, Yelling in a aggressive Tone." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`Hmm...?`\n\nThe lizardlike irises of the warrior hone on his opponent as she dodges. Dexterously, his fingers wrap back around the ethereal mana-wrought arrow of the enchanted, metallic bow, drawing back yet another crystalline arrow as he tilted his head, sharpening his focus on his opponent...\n\n`Familiars... Summons made of mana? No...`\n`...The arena reacts oddly. They are bound to the SOUL.`\n`...Or are they of the SOUL's essence themselves?`\n\nCuriosity filled his reptilian irises as his gaze briefly scanned across either of his sides, maintaining a clear sense of where both birds were at all times. They seemed inaggressive, for now — yet he would never disregard them as a threat outright. As they began to speak, their nature as something beyond just mere familiars grew more clear, as well. \"REED\" Was right: his opponent truly did seem to be the wild-card of this tournament.\n\n`\"A simple girl?\"`\n\nCalderon grinned, his sharp teeth protruding beyond the obsidianlike scales that flanked his mouth.\n\n`\"Mmmm... I do not think so.\"`\n\nHis finger looses the string, and another arrow is hurled straight toward Athena's center mass. Immediately, he nocks another back, adjusting his aim in accordance with a probable dodge, and fires another for her leg. He was not a master of the bow, yet he was familiar enough with the technique to show some degree of competence and consistent accuracy.\n\n`\"You will see,\"` He nodded his head in, slightly. `\"That I am still the very same warrior I was and always have been.\"`\n\nLightly chuckling — unmoved by her taunts — he would nock back a second arrow, hone his gaze, and fire again. He was hoping to whittle her down before she could close the distance; that shotgun of hers was a risk he could not afford in a melee battle." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "As the first arrow, somehow missing shoots through her trench coat, Athena's reaction was swift and precise, avoiding the second arrow with a quick pivot on her supporting foot. Murmuring a phrase that harkened back to her lineage\n\n```\n\"父よ、どうか私に力をお貸しください\"\n\n```\n\nRemembering a cool attack or maybe it was a incarnation that her dad had used on multiple occasions. Whether it was a attack or incarnation doesn't matter currently.\n\nAs her foot lands on the ground, her birds disappear. And if Reed pays close attention, he can notice splashes of water around her foot as it lands. She then turns back towards reed and takes more steps towards him, moving a few feet closer. As she walks the splashes of water can still be noticed as her feet hit the ground.\n\nThen, maintaining her advance, Athena posed a question to Reed, her voice cutting through the tension of their duel\n\n```\n\"Have you heard of the poem The Knight, the Raven, and the Swan?\"\n\n```\n\nHer idea is to use this poem to help channel a new incarnation, help her focus on what she wants to summon. One that will hopefully give her an upper hand in this battle." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "The Medei warrior's eyes were careful as they followed Athena in her approach, as were his ears, as foreign words crossed into his hearing. His sharp, yellow irises locked upon the form of his opponent, Calderon's stance shifted, preparing a new route of retreat.\n\n`I cannot hope to beat someone with a weapon like that at close-range.`\n\n*`FFP`\n\nAn arrow knocked, the warrior launches another volley of two crystalline projectiles for Athena, observing her reactions. She seemed competent; her motions were more fluid than most, and dodging almost seemed to come naturally to her. Calderon maintained his position at distance from Athena with his primary focus being to slow her down or to force her to come from a different angle by whittling her down with the bow; however, once she grew close enough, he would begin to strafe leftward, before breaking into a full sprint around the circumference of the arena, practically hugging the wall.\n\n`\"Sorry, but I will run!\"`\n\nIn the meanwhile, Athena attempted to awaken her other Incarnation. The marble of the arena glitters alight as magic begins to envelop her and her soul — the enchantment of the arena taking effect — as some form of __new shape__ is allowed to manifest, empowered by her incantation and by the nature of the `Margo Aeternitatis`* Itself. That is to say, her attempt would most likely be successful.\n\nCalderon, pacing about a half-rotation around the entire arena by now, skidded to a stop, hoping to have made some extra distance between himself and Athena.\n\n`\"Why don't we find an agreement? I will fight you head-on... If you abandon that weapon of yours!\"` —he spoke in reference to her sawn-off-shotgun, already drawing back another arrow." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "As Reed's arrows cut through the air once again towards her, Athena jumps sideways to the right, avoiding the arrows.\n\n```\n\"In realms of shadow, where whispers wade,\nA raven perched, in dark cascade.\nIts feathers cloak the moon's soft glow,\nA harbinger of prophecies fortold.\"\n```\n\nAthena recited, The words, more than mere poetry, were a conduit for her focus, channeling her intention and will to win.\n\nCatching Reed's proposition, Athena smirked slightly and with a fluid motion, she sheathed her katana, her gaze locked on Reed's, she pulls out the shotgun and quipps:\n\n```\n\"You mean this ol' thing? I don't even know how to use it properly, anyways\"\n\n```\n\n her voice laced with mock innocence. With a flick of her wrist, she emptied the shotgun's chamber, ensuring its harmlessness before casually tossing it aside. The weapon skittered across the arena floor, coming to rest far from her reach.\n\n```\n\"Let's Dance\"\n\n```\n\nWith a confident declaration, Athena quickly unsheathes Sasori, as she continued her advance towards Reed. The water that manifests around her feet, occasionally crackling with electricity.\n\n```\nMaintain Focus\n\n```\n\nShe thinks to herself. The Water now seemingly growing upward as it crackles with electricity." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`\"An honorable one!\"`\n`\"Very good. Then, I will uphold my end of the bargain.\"`\n\n\"REED\" Gave a subtle nod toward Athena. Seeing as she had put the firearm away, the Medeian warrior mirrored her action, tossing the enchanted bow in his clutch aside. In its place, he withdrew his dependable shortsword — sheathed at his right hip — wielding the weapon in his left hand. Giving the thing an open swing as a flourish, he grinned lightly, his tail swaying behind him.\n\n`I sense this may be more difficult than it seems...`\n`Mm, it should be no matter.`\n\nThe Medeian warrior leaned in, preparing an assault as he stanced to dash.\n\n`\"Let me have a tasting of your mettle then, warrior!\"`\n\nThrusting forward at a strong, inward angle, the reptilian warrior's strong posture was maintained despite his great acceleration in his head-on stance, his tail swaying behind him such to maintain his balance despite his impossibly-low stance. He approached at a remarkable pace of about 35 km/h, accelerating at such a speed that seemed superhuman; he cleared the distance between himself and Athena in a matter of seconds.\n\n*`SWING`\n\nA strong opener. His shortsword came up in a mostly-horizontal, though slightly-diagonal cut aimed to make first impact at around Athena's left hip, seeking to cut across her waistline and end juist beneath her right armpit. Quickly withdrawing his sword and preparing for a followup or to defend himself from a counterattack, the Medei warrior was looking to simply test the waters with his initiating attack." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena would chuckle a bit at the comment of being honorable before saying:\n\n```\n\"Honorable is not the word i would use to describe me, but if that's how you see it, then so be it.\"\n```\n\nAs Reed went to swing towards her, Athena would slip on the smooth marble floor, avoiding the attack and as she did, the golden chains around her soul would tug and then the sound of two voices could be heard... No, two voices only she could hear, One that sounds like her dad, the other something... Or someone else:\n\n```\n\"𓋹 I̍̅̀ṇ͛̒c͕͗̕ā̤͘r̦͕̝ṇ͛̒a̤͘te Fas̠҉ͅter. 𓋹\"\n\" 𝒻ℴ𝒸𝓊𝓈. \"\n```\nAs these two voices spoke, the water rose up even further, and faster then previously, this time positioned slightly behind Athena. The electricity crackling more frequently. The water forms into a 8 foot tall bulky knight like shape, with two glistening golden chains around the torso. As the Incarnation forms, Athena would be caught off guard and think to herself:\n\n```\n... Dad?\n```\n—\n```\nalso i should perhaps get new shoes after his, these ones are weared down quite a bit afterall. So much that I'm making a habit of slipping.\n```\n\n The voices spoke once more, in unison:\n\n```\n\"𓋹 Eͭ̉͟ṇ͛̒s̠҉͍͊ͅṇ͛̒ā̤͘r̦͕̝e̕d Sentinel 𓋹\"\n\" ℰ𝓃𝓈𝓃𝒶𝓇ℯ𝒹 𝒮ℯ𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃ℯ𝓁 \"\n```\n\nThe incarnation's eyes began to crackle with electricity. The semi-liquid body was made of fresh water and appeared to have a corinthian style helmet. It would take a few steps towards Reed, stomping as it does. Its head was locked in on Reed's, the chains rattling and pulsing with a golden dim and glimmering light, it's arms swaying back and forth as its shape rippled from the weight of each step until it attempts an overhead smash by lifting both of its fists up and clutching them together. It then slams its fists downwards and as the Ensnared Sentinel does this, Athena would get on her feet, however stay low to the ground, pivoting her heels, turning towards Reed. She swiftly unsheathed her katana before making an attack herself, slashing at his legs." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "`...Hm?`\n\nHis sword is met with neither the resistance of flesh nor a clash of another blade. His opponent had avoided it entirely, Athena having dodged — no... Slipped?* — out of the way. The reptilian Medei's eyes hone, regaining their deep focus on the warrior's opponent, though underlain with disbelief and confusion.\n\n`...That doesn't seem right...`\n\nSuspicion was aroused, but Calderon had none of the time necessary to fully ponder the circumstances behind her uncanny dodge. Immediately, the attention he attempted to center solely upon Athena was divested by the sudden arrival of the strong, magical presence forming behind her — her Incarnation. The sloshing of water and the sound of electricity captured clearly within \"REED\"'s ears, his balance shifts rapidly out of his slash, his tail swaying behind him such to counterbalance his forward momentum, allowing him to backpedal nearly immediately after failing to hit Athena. This retreat was only expedited the moment he saw the manifest form of the Sentinel, bursting with as much speed as a single-legged step could afford him backward.\n\nBy the time his opponent had slashed toward his legs with her katana, the Medei had already begun to retreat out of her measure, dodging both the overhead attack and the slash. \"REED\" Slid lightly backward out of the strong, but short momentum he had built out of his powerful step-dash backward, his tongue slithering out of his mouth as he took a soft breath.\n\n`There is much to test here... And much to be wary of.`\n\nHis irises honed, but he resumed a fighting stance, his buckler guarding the outer-left of his sword-arm's wrist. Shortly after sizing up the Sentinel, he took a step back in, using the momentum of his approach to fuel a thrust toward Athena's center mass—\n\n`A FEINT.`\n\nHe was testing her and her reactions. As the shortsword grew closer and dominated more of the forefront of her sight, Calderon would immediately shift his weight into a sweep, thrustin\n\nG his leg in from right-to-left to attempt to knock her off her feet. The sword would never truly make contact with her, but would grow quite close; he only cancelled the thrust to shift his weight into a sudden sweep with his legs." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena right after her swing missed, would jump back and pivot on her heels to face Reed. She thinks to herself.\n\n```\nHmmm, I wonder what would happen, and what all this new incarnation is capable of and those golden chains, not something i imagined but i feel like it has something to do with those voices. Perhaps i could do something with the electricity and water.\n```\n\nUnbeknownst to everyone, if not most people... Something is falling from the sky rapidly and as Reed approaches, a Grand Piano lands directly in front of Reed and Athena, Crashing into the ground and Breaking, Splintered wood and discordant notes filled the air. Blocking Reed's Advance. Unperturbed, her Incarnation maneuvered around the shattered piano towards Reed, and will attempt to grab Reed.\n\nIF the incarnations manages to grab Reed, it would attempt to lift him.\n\n\n```\n\"The Fuck, Who dropped thier piano?\"\n```\n\nAthena jumped back and readied herself for a attack, confused as who would drop a fucking piano in the midst of a festival, no less a battle." }, { "author": "FLYING GORILLA", "message": "\"Wait, where'd my flying piano go??\"" }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "Athena looks up from her position and a sense of confusion washes over her as a thought enters her mind\n\n```\n... Is that, A flying gorilla? This day keeps getting weirder and weirder. You see and learn something new everyday.\n```\n\nShe then proceeds to say to the flying gorilla:\n\n```\n\"You should be more careful of where you put your Piano Flying Gorilla. Someone could have gotten hurt.\"\n```" }, { "author": "FLYING GORILLA", "message": "```\"I'm sorry, Athena Ayaakiko, my irresponsible behavior might have resulted in someone seriously getting hurt. I will look out better next time I carry my pianos around in sanctum mesa.\"```" }, { "author": "-- THE KING --", "message": "The King applauds Flying Gorilla's wholesome and family-friendly values that demonstrate the jubilant traits of a mature individual, inspiring kindness and growth in the audience." }, { "author": "mortateo", "message": "```\n\"I forgive you flying gorilla, now fly happy and free\"\n```" }, { "author": "FLYING GORILLA", "message": "```\"Thank you for this lesson and for your forgiveness, Athena Ayaakiko. I will not forget what you've done for me. \"``` He glares at Athena for a few more seconds before majestically departing into the horizon of the night sky." }, { "author": "\"REED\" Calderon", "message": "Before his attack would even make contact, the unthinkably-improbable happens. His scales shiver with the unseen sensation of something approaching rapidly — beyond even his periphery — his warrior's instincts sharply singing danger. His blade and arm stopped dead in their tracks, his body stopping abruptly as his foot slid back unconsciously beneath him, removing all of the force he had dedicated into the attack in a single instant.\n\nThen,\nCRASH!\n\n`You can't be serious...`\n\nAs the cloud of wood-dust and splintered wood ceared, Calderon still stared in a moment of disbelief as the `Incarnation`* Made its approach. He quickly snapped back to an attentive, combat-ready stance, backpedaling as the water-formed summon continued in its approach, but quickly swapped to a counteroffensive before he had given much space. Dodging back and away from the grab, he pivoted on his heel, `Total Body Reinforcement` Beginning to flare as purple mana circulated throughout, and flared off of, his body, shifting inward toward Athena and the rubble of the piano.\n\n`Unbelievable! This must be one of her tricks, hmm...?`\n`Conjuration... Or perhaps teleportation?`\n\nTheories began to flow through the Medeian warrior's head as he stepped into a leap over the rubble of the piano and toward Athena, his buckler positioned firmly ahead of himself through his trajectory and as he landed. Continuing with his momentum, he rushed down his opponent and attempted to use his speed to leverage a quick attack against her, pushing forward with a quick left-to-right slash for her center-mass. He would follow-up, given the opportunity, with another slash, one diagonally up and back toward the left, then finishing with a thrust straight for her throat. His dexterity was such that he would be able to react to a dodge and adapt in turn, fully intending to leverage his superior speed to overwhelm her." } ]	324	5,557
370.347826	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "\"PERCHT\"", "message": "```\n\"Hey.\"\n\n```\n\n—Suddenly, from behind them, a voice speaks out.\n\nIts origin: a white-haired, tall (almost 185cm) woman, clad in a formal suit, her dark, near-black irises aglow with a subtle and indiscernable magical hue.\n\nWhere did she come from? One could not tell. Not through mundane means, that was; she had just emerged from what appeared to be a cloaking spell, her presence entirely hidden until she revealed herself to the two who had entered the Navis Auri.\n\n```\n\"Looks to me like you've stumbled lost into a place you shouldn't be,\"\n she peered at them, having approached uncomfortably close whilst completely undetectable.\n\"I don't reckon either of you are a part of the Hunt, are you? This isn't a place for festivalgoers.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Turning back, he aims his pistol towards the woman who now appeared out of thin air, it seemed, Shit where did she come from? I didn't smell her or hear breathing, and the hell kind of hunt is she talking about? Manolo thinks to himself as he repositions himself to have a clear center mass shot on the new person. He opens his mouth, responding to the lady, \"Forgive my steel, I ain't very kind or trusting on people sneaking up on me. I don't know this 'Hunt' or festival you speak of, me and my capitán, we just arrived here, I smelled blood and powder in here and from the looks of this place it hasn't been friendly. So pardon my rudeness, but are you friend or foe?\" A spanish accent coming out within in his words as he continues shifting around, his ears now moving towards every direction of the inside searching for any more persons. He looks back at the arrangement of objects and towards the writing, clearly unable to read the words but understanding it to be some name. \"¿sabes lo que pasó aquí?\" He shifts his attention back towards the woman, aiming steadily while having his left hand near his second pistol in case to reach." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori while examining the area would see the sunglasses and as he approaches them he sees Manolo kneel down to check a guy that he claims is there but there is not one. Sasori looks to Manolo as he picks up the sunglasses and pockets them then says in a worried and caring tone\n\n```\nThere isn't a person there my friend, Are you sure you are ok?\n```\n\nBut before Manolo could respond they hear a voice, Sasori quickly turns to identify the source of the voice to see a woman. He steps forward putting his left hand on the handle of Frigid Promise ready to unsheathe it if need be. He continues moving towards the woman until he is close enough to stop this newcomer if need be, while still letting Manolo be able to aim center mass without worrying about Sasori getting hit. After Manolo talks to the newcomer Sasori says in a Calm but Authoritative tone\n\n```\nLike my friend said, we just arrived here. Now you tell me what is this hunt, and why is this a place we shouldn't be or better yet what happened here?\n```" }, { "author": "\"PERCHT\"", "message": "```\n\"...Hm...\"```\n\nThe woman's expression changed. While she initially seemed slightly antagonistic immediately upon revealing herself to the two individuals who had wandered and found themselves in the Navis Auri, Her demeanor seemed to change with the revelation that they were, evidently, and as of their own admission... Quite lost.\n\nUnder normal circumstances, she would be much more wary of someone reaching for their weapon, but despite what impatience and brusqueness her visage and mannerisms told of her character, she seemed remarkably level-headed, folding her arms.\n\n```\n\"Neither,\" now she responded, her blackened irises opened and staring toward Manolo now. \"I'm neither your friend nor a foe. I'm an overseer — a spectator and an arbiter.\"```\n\nThe woman eyed Sasori and seemed already prepared to answer his question.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"If you aren't aware,\" she stated, her tone ambivalent — partially with an intent to honestly inform and partially with disbelief of their ignorance — \"You're on the grounds of the Festival of Convergence, an annual celebration. This is a restricted area accessible only to those participating in the Koi Hunt.\"\n\n\"More specifically, it's an event hosted by the Hunter's Association wherein Festival participants are challenged to retrieve a particular creature and maintain possession over it until the end of the Festival,\" now the woman stated rather matter-of-factly, as if unconsciously, reaching for something in her pocket simultaneously with her explanation```\n\nShe retrieved a gold-trimmed paper package of cigarettes from her dress pants. Her thumb rested on the lid of the thing, as she, again, almost opened the thing unconsciously — yet seemed to stop herself halfway.\n\n```\n\"...Tsk...\" —she clicked her tongue hushedly, staring at the still-colsed package, slightly annoyed, before pocketing it again.\n\"...In any case, you can't be here.\"\n\"...That is, unless you plan to join the Hunt.\"```" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Manolo softly shifts his body and lowers his arm down enough to still keep an eye on the lady, his ears and head tilted towards the side while his tail moves ever so softly in the air clearing in thought. A hunter organization? A hunt for a creature to maintain custody of it, I guess now I know what happens here. Finishing his thought as he peers around the room and back towards the lady. \".....Say we join this event, what is in it for us? From the looks of this place, a deal went wrong. 'El último hombre' things never turn out right for them.\" His ears and tail return to normal as he places his pistol on his belt and reaches to take a cigarette out of his own pocket, lifting the smoke towards his mouth he reaches over towards the butt as his eyes turn a dim orange and static fills the air around them all.\nElectro\nAs electricity sparks between his fingers and light his cigarette, he takes a drag and takes a small moment to reflect on the works she spoke, \"Look it ain't my choice to join this event or not, and main thing I care about right now is finding out what happened here.\" He speaks motioning around the room, mainly towards the objects and the name written on the chair. His eyes return to normal as he stares at the lady." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori:Sasori upon hearing that they are neither friend or foe as they are a overseer of what he presumes to be the festival and that they seem to be passive for the time being softens his stance and grip on Frigid Promise. Still Cant be so trusting of strangers who appear out of nowhere or just strangers in general... Even if they appear to be of no current threat. He sighs before responding in a still calm tone but this time with curiosity instead of authoritative\n\n```\nWell. I do wanna know what happened here, so if joining this hunt of some sort allows for us to stay then i guess we are joining. What is the reward for capturing this creature anyways, and correct me if i am wrong but this creature im guessing is a koi fish, if the name has any truth to be told in the matter.\n```" }, { "author": "\"PERCHT\"", "message": "Her eyes squinted as Manolo lit his cigarette, her nose flaring as she inhaled the secondhand smoke that began to permeate the atmosphere. Her fingers tapped lightly against her sleeve as she took a soft breath — coughing lightly, then her eyes opening more squinted than before — as she continued glaring at the lit stick of nicotine in his hand.\n\n`...Tsch.`\n\nThe white-haired woman's arms unfolded and she tapped against the paper pack of cigarettes — still full and sealed — in her suit pocket. Her eyes shift to the floor.\n\n```\n\"If you join the Hunt,\" she sighed spoke, her arms lifting and folding again, \"You are qualified for a reward if you successfully capture and keep the Koi.\"\n\"What you see here,\" now she began to explain, extending one of her hands out from her folded-arms position, \"Is the aftermath of a dispute regarding the capturing of the Koi.\"\n\"...In any case, as you've said, if you want to find out what hapened here, you need to join the Hunt. I can presume you're intending to. Just know that it comes with three rules:\"\n\"One. You may not fight with anyone unless they are a part of the Hunt.\"\n\"Two. You may not lethally injure the other participants.\"\n\"Three. You're disqualified if you leave Festival grounds. That means you can go no further east than this ship,\" she pointed to the ground.\n\n\"The reward itself includes the Spirit-Koi. Furthermore, the O.S.A will provide a single extra reward of one item among a selection of two, chosen by the victor if they succeed in holding the Koi until the end of the Festival.\"\n\"Simple enough?\"```\n\nShe seemed deeply familiar with the Hunt and the core of its rules, citing them off as though she had, at one point, memorized them." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Noticing how the lady infront of him reacted towards the cigarette, he was smoking, and the case she has in her coat, Manolo takes a shorter drag off his cigarette and throws it towards the floor to stomp out, \"Lo siento señora.\" He says in an apologetic tone of voice. He continues saying, \"I see you aren't a fan of smoking, but it seems you once did, quitting?\" He says, motioning towards the pack and the freshly stomped out cigarette. He takes a look around the room once again and towards Sasori, \"If my capitán is in, then I'm in too. Besides, this sounds like it could be fun. I've always liked an adventure.\" His ears and tail perk up, at the mention of an adventure, but he makes a soft low pitch whine as the wound on his side begins to hurt. He grits his teeth and hides his pain. He turns around towards the chair and examines it. \"Captáin, this mark definitely ain't no gun or anything I've seen before. Look at this, a perfectly round hole. A bullet couldn't have made this. If a bullet did, then there would be splintering around the edges, but there isn't. Whatever made this had to be moving fast and been a small projectile.\" He says, motioning for Sasori to come examine the chair as well. Shit, I need to sew up this wound soon. It's starting to hurt like hell. There must be a church nearby, maybe a Pastor to aid me. He thinks to himself as he stands back up and turns towards the lady once again, \"Señora, ¿hay una iglesia cerca? Necesito hablar con el padre.\" He asks as he shifts his weight to stand more comfortably due to the pain in his side." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori nods his head and responds in a calm tone\n\n```\nUnderstood, in that case we are joining the hunt for this spirit koi you speak of\n```\n\nSasori then lets go of his grip on frigid Promise and puts his right hand into his pocket before turning to look at Manolo and says\n\n```\nA Perfectly round hole... We better stay on our guard then. These other people who are partaking in this event sound like powerful adversaries, it would be better to not under estimate anyone. Ill examine the chair in a bit, just got a few more questions, if she is willing to answer them.\n```\n\nHe then turns back to the lady\n\n```\nYou don't have to answer if you don't want to but you wouldn't happen to know what island we are on, and maybe know where i could get a map, would you?\n```\n\nSasori then looks around and before getting a response to his first questions he says \n\n```\n... Hmmm how rude of me, here you are helping us and instead of introducing myself im bombarding you with even more questions.\n```\n\nHe pulls his hand out of his pocket and steps closer putting his hand out for a handshake looking her in the eyes and giving a soft, warm smile\n\n```\nThe names Sasori, Captain of the Freeheart Pirates...\n```\nHe then adverts his gaze looking down and sighs as if saddened by this title\n\n```\nNew captain of the Freeheart pirates. And you are... If you dont mind me asking?\n```" }, { "author": "\"PERCHT\"", "message": "```\n\"Haven't quit. Not yet,\" she stated, her brow still furrowed lightly.\n\"It's that I don't smoke on the job.\"\n\"The invisible overseer,\" she pointed to herself with a thumb, \"Isn't so 'invisible' if they smell like cigs.\"```\n\nStill, she seemed somewhat annoyed by the scent of the smoke, her brow raising lightly, relieved, as Manolo extinguished the cigarette. Perhaps it was just her withdrawal getting the better of her. She seemed a short-but-reasonable person in mannerism, though what terse and shortness of her character was much exaggerated by the sense that she was, at all times, itching for something. An addiction to tobacco is a thing that can consume a person whole, one which can be made especially exaggerated when one goes without their fix for such a long time.\n\nIt seemed that now that they had joined the Hunt, she had already unconsciously begun to prepare to take her leave. She had appeared to tell them where they were and were not supposed to be, the event they were getting into, and the rules of that event, and no more. It was all a practiced thing to her, unconscious, straightforward, and routine; routine and nothing more than routine. When more questions arose, she gave a slight sigh, her eyes closing — as though in some part annoyed — then opening, her gaze lifting from the ground and toward Manolo — as though some sense of human concern arose within what repetitive corporate routine defined the white-haired woman.\n_ _\n\n```\n\"Mm...\" she stared intently toward Manolo. His use of Spanish did not exactly take her by surprise, but did indeed require her a moment to re-connect some synapses that had gone long unused.\n\"Iglesia...\" —she wavered. It was coming back to her now. When was the last time she spoke Spanish...? It had been five years atleast.\n\"No hay una iglesia edificio en Sanctum Mesa.\"\n\"...Pero la iglesia de la 'Santa Croce'... Está presente esta noche.\"```\n\n`...That's clear enough, right?` She thought. The numerous Romance languages she spoke were overlapping in her head: Latin, Italian, and Spanish together. She wasn't entirely sure if she had phrased that right.\n`...Just to be sure.`\n\n```\n\"——Decir, la membresía de la iglesia de la 'Santa Croce' está presente en el Festival.\"```\n\nHer attention shifted to Sasori. \n\n`...What?`\n\n...And now she was wholly confused. \"What island are we on\"?\n\n`Where the hell did these two come from...?`\n\n```\n\"You're... In Pacifica. The independent republic of Pacifica.\"\n\"The... Island-nation of Pacifica. I don't have a map, no...\"```\n\nSasori's introduction left her rattled. The second the word \"Pirates\" Left his mouth, she looked as though she had been slapped across the face, though subtle as she kept her response. There was shock beyond recognition, and there was a seeming sense of disbelief, all before a sense of clarity emerged:\n\n`...Otheruniversal arrivals...?`\n`...Today? Here? Are you serious?`\n`...Tsch.`\n`I'll have to be the one to document this...`\n\n```\n\"Rrrriiiiight...\"\n\"Yeah... I'm Percht.\"```\n\nShe reached her hand to accept the handshake, yet halfway, she raised both brows, and her hand retreated back inward to rest on her chin — all in one, smooth (stiff) suave, (incredibly awkward) motion." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Tilting his head as his ears perk up once again, a clear confused look on his face clearly visible. First about how she spoke with a Spanish accent but had to speak slower and take breaks between words, secondly her reaction towards Sasori, offering his hand, he was confused, his ears and tail showed it. \"Gracias señora, mi nombre es Manolo pero la gente me llama Fox.\" He says, this time talking slower rather than his fast fluent language, he opens his mouth to add, \"I can speak English but it's not my first language so I still have trouble with it, but thank you, I'll be searching for one of these members.\" He says, giving a smile accidentally showing his four sharp canine teeth. He quickly hides his mouth and begins moving towards the door to leave but the pain in his side clearly being too much as blood falls from under his chest plate hitting the floor, his left hand reaching down towards his side gripping it with pain and blood spilling onto his hand, his right hand grabs the frame of the door and what looks to be retractable claws coming out from the nails of his fingers grip the frame leaving deep marks. The fur on his ears and tail stand as a rough low pitch growl is heard echoing throughout the building, he quickly rushes out the door as a feeling of an animalistic urge to search for shelter is taking hold. Shit not now, please not now. Hold on a little longer, please. But his internal plead held no use, for the pain was too much. All the lights of the area surrounding the Navis Auri, now bothering his eyes, making a snarl, he runs off towards an alleyway." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori after the handshake takes a step back and says\n\n```\n\"Pacifica, eh. Sounds like a cool island, never heard of it before though. That just means a fun lies ahead.\"\n```\n\nHe then looks at Manolo who is profusely bleeding now and it being quite noticeable and a look of worry appears on Sasori's face\n\n```\n\"Manolo, why didn't-\"\n```\n\nBut before Sasori could finish his response Manolo runs off being visibly feral, Sasori yells with a tone of worry\n\n```\n\"SHIT!\"\n```\nHe then quickly says as he looks at Percht before turning and running off after Manolo\n\n```\n\"Nice meeting you Percht, Have a good rest of the festival\"\n```\n \nAs Sasori runs off after Manolo knowing he wouldn't be able to catch up unless Manolo ran into a dead end, Screams\n\n```\n\"CORTEZ, GET BACK HERE. I CAN HELP YOU, FRIEND. YIN AFTER HIM, DONT LET HIM LEAVE YOUR SIGHT!\"\n```\n\nYin hears the command and Flies after Manolo. Sasori then follows up by using his incarnation Echoed Ronin. Two exact replicas of Sasori appear next to him as if appearing out of thin air, like they were always there. Running at the same pace, as fast as he could run. Sasori thoughts run through out his head.\n\n```\nI should really change the time on my watch, and why did Percht seem a bit afraid at the word pirates. Considering the freehearts are a crew of good wills and like helping, not including the fact that even if they were the bad kind of pirates they were in a part of the world where almost everyone was ruthless and uncaring\n```\n\nSasori shakes his head as if dismissing those thoughts, but more come to mind.\n\n```\nIf i can corner him somehow, then i can help him. Why did Manolo lie to me?, does Manolo trust me?. He could not... No will not lose another crewmate... Another friend, his only friend.\n```\n\nSasori says directed towards the echoes, he plans on catching and helping his friend... His on\n\nLy friend\n\n```\n\"After Him, Do no harm unless mandatory.\"\n```\n\nSasori's plan is to corner Manolo and attempt to talk things out peacefully or at least try to calm him down, He doesn't blame Manolo for acting this way. This whole situation is alot, even for Sasori. New Place, They are lost, they don't have a ship or even a map. Every other time something like this has happened, something has gone wrong. Its only a matter of time, they will manage though. He is sure of it." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Running through the streets, he didn't hear or pay mind to Sasori calling out to him. The only thoughts going through his mind were food and safety. Each step heavier than the last, each light blinding and flickering like the last dying embers of a fire. Smelling food from a nearby restaurant, one that Manolo could never afford, he stops in front of the doors and steps inside. Wordlessly he watches the patrons stop to observe his entrance but he paid no mind instead making his way towards the kitchen, one of the chefs yell at him to get out, Manolo clearly not in the right state of mind, extracts his claws and makes a growl. He continues his way till he finds a raw piece of steak, a sirloin. Instead of taking the piece of meat by his hands like a regular himan, he bites down on it and runs out. But finding his way blocked by employees, he decides... To jump out the window.\nCRASH \nFalling down, with the food still hanging in his mouth, he lands on a roof nearby. The impact of the fall, visibly injuring him even more as more blood spills, and he takes a second to regain composure. He stands again and runs away and off the building top, finding a dark alley. He sits down and eats the raw meat as a wild animal, with each growl and bite, he becomes calmer and when the food is gone, Manolo regains his composure and takes a second to sit down and rest. He reaches up towards his shoulders and takes off the chest piece and coat. He reaches towards the sewing kit and dagger on his back. Taking the dagger, he digs out the pieces of wood, with each motion making a louder whine than the last. He takes a needle and thread, proceeding to stitch the wound closed and using electro to help heal the wound by transferring electricity into the needle. The pain proved to be too much and soon after passed out. Alone and hurt in a darl alleyway hidden away from the world." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori, Running through the street would have lost Manolo very fast due to him being alot slower then Manolo. Yin would be able to keep up and once seeing his target pass out, would fly to go get and lead Sasori to Manolo.\n\nOnce Sasori gets to where Manolo passed out, he would go check on Manolo's wounds trying not to wake him, seeing that Manolo cauterized his wounds himself, Sasori would go and sit against a nearby wall and dismisses his incarnations, they disappear no longer in sight. As He sits against the wall waiting for his friend to wake up, he pulls out his pocket watch, opening it and looking up to the sky to check the time. He tunes his pocket watch, and looks at the picture inside of it for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh, closing it and putting it back into his pocket. Yin then flies onto his shoulder, Sasori sighs and then quietly says, in the hopes of not waking Manolo up.\n\n```\n\"Damn it Cortez\"\n```\n\nThis has happened before where Manolo has gone feral, plenty of times, and to a plethora of reasons. This one time...\n\n*Enters Flashback\n\n```\nSasori was jumping from rooftop to rooftop in a small town when he spots a cart of sweets being dragged around by a baker, he also spots a hungry Manolo stealthily chasing after it, tho Manolo doesn't seem to spot him. The baker eventually spotted Manolo, and pulled a gun on him. Due to the captain's orders of keeping a low profile, Manolo did not retaliate. Sasori saw this as a opportunity and jumped down stealing a few cookies and running off through a nearby alleyway in a attempt to lose the baker. This attempt was a success and he eventually found a park where he sat down. Manolo arrived soon after and asked for a cookie, but Sasori denied and pulled out a matchbook and lit a match to fend off his cookies from Manolo. Manolo bieng hungry and a bit scared from the fire went feral and attacked Sasori managing to get a cookie, he runs off into a alleyway and devours the cookie p\n\nAssing out. Sasori eventually finds him and carries him back to the ship\n```\n\nExits Flashback\n\nAs Sasori just sits against the wall, he hopes Manolo is ok." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "He opens his eyes to a sky of blue and clouds of white as he lays in a field of grass and flowers. Manolo sits up and takes a look around, wondering why everything feels nostalgic and having a familiar smell. \"Where am I? Where's Sasori?\" He asks himself, looking at the rolling hills and running water of the creek nearby, \"This is home, don't you remember it?\" A voice says that sounds just like his own. Manolo quickly stands up and reaches for his pistols, realizing he has no weapons, and claws come out of his fingertips, ready to attack at a notice. A fox silently walks out of the tall grass infront of Manolo, \"Don't be alarmed, I know this is a lot to take in but I'm your soul I guess... When we arrived here, it created me. I'm you, but basically what you hide and what you are. It's getting harder, isn't it?\" The Fox asks, upon further viewing its clear that the fox is covered in scars and blood, Manolo taking a second to respond, \"What's getting harder?\" He asks, confused on what this 'soul' meant. The Fox, with weary eyes and pain hidden behind, says, \"Keeping your anger in check, doing what we do best, Hiding.\" It says, Manolo looks around again this time recognizing a small house with farmland off in the distance, \"Can I stay here for a bit? Just let time pass?\" Manolo asks in a pleading tone of voice, \"You can't, \" Says the fox, \"Sasori is waiting for us, you know just as I there is no rest for people like us.\" And with those finally words, the field caught flames and cracks of lighting came from the sky.\nHe opens his eyes with a start and draws his pistol at Sasori, who was resting against the wall. Taking a moment to compose himself, he lowers his pistol and looks at Sasori for a few seconds before finally speaking, \"Hey captain, I was just taking a nap, is all.\" He says in a joking tone as he winces at the pain still in his side." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori, seeing Manolo wake up and aim his gun at him, Stands up and walks over to Manolo offering a hand out\n\n```\n\"Are you sure you are ok?\"\n```\nHe says in a worried tone." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Taking the hand of his captain, his last remaining friend. He stands up while making a low whine due to the pain in his side. He looks at Sasori and quickly looks away, ashamed that he's being seen like this. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came. \"....\" He stood in silence for what seemed like eternity but in truth was barely a minute, wordlessly he reached into his pocket for a cigarette and placed in upon his own lips. Using his ability Electro* He lit the end of his cigarette and took a long thought out drag and exhaled the smoke, watching as it drifted away into the cold night air. He placed his armor back on and fixed his now blood stained clothes, getting ready for the next step of this new world. He turned once again towards Sasori meeting his eyes. \"I'm fine sir. We need to find out where we are, and our next step of plan.\" He said in a tone that suggested that he was hiding his own true feelings as he always done. His tail did not move, and his ears did not twitch. Manolo noticed for perhaps the first time, true concern in the eyes of his captain and his eyes were blue instead of the gray he always thought they were. He took another drag off his cigarette and headed back out to the city streets, the sound of electricity and the lights causing his ears and eyes to adjust with pain." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "As Manolo took steps into the unfamiliar city streets, Sasori followed closely, his gaze lingering on his comrade. The captain's voice, softened by the weight of concern and leadership, broke the silence between them. \n\n```\n\"Manolo, your strength and courage honor the Freeheart Pirates. Yet, remember, bearing your burdens alone does not make you stronger. We sail the same turbulent seas, you and I. Let's navigate this new world together.\" \n\n```\n\nSasori's eyes, a stormy blue reflecting the depth of his conviction, searched Manolo's face for any sign of acceptance. He adjusted his own coat, emblematic of his readiness to face whatever challenges lay ahead, his hand briefly touching the hilt of Frigid Promise as a silent vow to protect his crew against all odds, One of which he mostly failed. But he still has Manolo, So his goal is not all lost. \n\n```\n\"First, we gather information, learn the lay of this land. Our journey has taught us that knowledge is as sharp a weapon as any blade. Then, we plan our next move. Together, Manolo. As a crew, as a family.\"\n\n```\n\nAfter that, he looks up to the ghostly glow of the moon, pulling his his smoking pipe he takes a quick drag. Exhaling the smoke he sighs before saying in a somber tone:\n\n```\n\"Hey Manolo, Do you know what today is?\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Before turning back to Sasori, he took a moment to inhale from his cigarette and hold it in his hand. He spoke calmly, \"Captain, you know that I never learned my English days.\" He said in a light-hearted tone, once again concealing his emotions. He sighed deeply as his expression shifted into one of reflection, \"Yes, Captain. I am aware of the day. You are also aware of my feelings towards that word, Family........Sasori, the reason I conceal myself is because it is all I have ever known. I'm a fox, a thief, my senses know more than you can imagine. However, I am also a pirate, Your Pirate. Fighting alongside you and the others, its a sense of pride and honor.\" His voice took on a solemn tone as he took another drag of his cigarette and gazed up at the sky, watching the smoke fade away. \"The stars look mighty pretty tonight, don't they? We could likely get a better vantage point if we head to a higher location.\" He spoke as he searched for a way to access the roof and proceeded to climb up, his tail softly moving behind him." }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori watched Manolo with a thoughtful gaze as he ascended. He then followed, his movements as silent as a whispering wind. Once atop the roof, the vast expanse of the universe unveiled itself, stars scattered like diamond dust against the cloak of night. Yin would fly up to the top of the roof, following Sasori.\n\n ```\n\"Yes, Manolo, the cosmos does have a way of making one feel both insignificant and yet, profoundly connected. On a night like this, two years past, fate's cruel hand dealt us a harsh blow. Yet, here we stand, amidst a sea of stars.\"\n\n```\n\nHe took a moment, allowing the cool night air to fill his lungs before continuing: \n\n```\n\"Perhaps, it's no mere coincidence we find ourselves here on this night. The universe, in its infinite mystery, has a way of weaving the threads of destiny with a purpose we can scarcely comprehend. Maybe our path led us here, to this moment, to remind us of our strength, of our resilience. We, who have sailed through storms and faced adversities that would break lesser men, are still here, still standing.\"\n\n```\n\nTurning to Manolo, his eyes glinted with a mix of sorrow and determination.\n\n```\n\"Family, Manolo, is not a word to be taken lightly. It's a bond, forged not only by blood but can be formed by shared battles, by the promise to stand by each other no matter the odds. You say you're a thief, a fox—Yes, that may be. But to me, you're far more. You're a brother in arms, part of a family we chose, a family we fight for.\"\n\n```\n\nSasori's hand found its way to Manolo's shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie and shared burden.\n\n```\n\"The stars do look mighty pretty tonight\"\n\n```\n\nHe echoed, his voice a soft murmur against the backdrop of the universe's vast canvas.\n\n```\n\"Perhaps they shine as a beacon, a guide for lost souls like ours, leading us to our next adventure, to our next battle. Together, Manolo, as we always have. As The Freeheart Pirates, under the endless sky, i have a feeling our journey is far from over. And who knows? This strange, Pacifica might just be the beginning of a remarkable adventure.\"\n\n```\n\nWith a final look at the night sky, Sasori's expression softened, a rare smile breaking through.\n\n```\n\"Let's make our fallen crew proud, and continue carve out a legend, worthy of the Freeheart Pirates.\"\n\n```" }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "Upon making his way onto the roof, he takes in the scene around him. The tall and bright buildings, the stars above, and the chilly night air blowing on his face. Listening to Sasori speak and his hand place on his shoulder, Manolo shifted his body to look at his friend, \".....Well. You always knew how to sweat talk me Captáin.\" A soft smile showed on his face as his tail began to move side to side ever so softly before stopping, he then turned back to view the skyline of the buildings and taking the chance to look up at the stars. \"The direction we came from, that's south. This means if we keep going up, we're gonna move north.\" He spoke as his ears shifted around, taking in the surrounding noise to determine which direction to go. \"Everything is hard to hear when there's so much static everywhere. But I would say we keep going up north, from the smell I got at that boat whoever was there made their way north.\" He spoke with a clear tone of experience but hiding his true emotions once again. Why does he care? I've caused more problems than fixed, and I wasn't there to save the rest of the crew. Damnit, why can't I do this right? His own thoughts seemed to scream in his head, but outside, he seemed fine other than the large blood stain on his jacket. \"Your call Captáin.\" He said, turning back towards Sasori" }, { "author": "Sasori Ayakiko", "message": "Sasori, gave a nod of agreement.\n\n```\n\"To north we go. For freedom, for our fallen, for the Freeheart Pirates and for True Justice. Our legend is not yet complete, and Pacifica will hear our story. Lead on, my friend. I will be with you every step of the way.\"\n```\n\nSasori prepared to follow Manolo's lead, ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead, with the unyielding spirit of a pirate and the company of a trusted friend. Yin would follow after Sasori, unless instructed to do something." }, { "author": "Manolo Cortez", "message": "With the orders of his Captáin, Manolo shifted his attention towards the direction that the group from the Navis-Auri took when they left. He took a smell, trying to determine what they were up against. \"One smells like... A goat, three are humans. There's a fifth one, but ain't no smell like I've smelled before.\" His voice sounded confused by the last one. He began to jump from roof to roof towards the direction that they took, his wound seemingly having no effect on his agility or speed. The last of the Freeheart Pirates begin their way towards the Arena due to that beginning the closest of their current position." } ]	348	8,518
525.76	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Beyond the large stone doors at the far-side of the church, there lies a hidden room that hides perhaps the most important component of the abandoned place of prayer — a large, cylindrical altar, engraved with a multitude of texts on both its face and on its sides. The altar, constructed of the same white marble as the rest of the church, overlain primarily with gold, with some accents of silver and small portions made with what appears to be brass, is some distance from the door (~30m) by a long, empty hallway (about 5m in width).\n\nThe walls of the structure are incredibly sturdy — perhaps even brinking on Indestructible, Despite the fact that they are construed of the very same hewn stones of marble that the rest of the church is made of. The ceiling, elevated quite some distance from the smooth floor below, is completely overspread by hundreds-upon-hundreds of magical, runelike carvings, descending a bountiful yellow light akin to that of the Sun, itself. \n\nAn eerie, divine presence dominates the atmosphere of the hallway, which only grows more imposing as one grows closer to the foot of the altar.\n\n*The door rumbled open, and Tabby found herself immersed in the territory of the divine.\n\nA billowing presence — like a turbulent, warm wind — flew over the tabaxi's cautious form, its presence projected by naught but the relief of the extreme pressure within the internal domain of the room. Warm, surging heat, not quite overwhelming, yet still burdensome to endure, engulfed her body, the passionate zeal of the dominating Sunlight* Cascading downwards, tangibly burdening her body. It was as if she had stepped into the domain of an entity just short of a Deity.\n\nBefore her was the gleaming, alluring sight of a golden altar — clearly an entity of magnificent importance — its form at the foreground of the otherwise isolated and emptied hall. However, there was just one thing between her and the call of the hallowed altar: a knight, clad in silver, knelt upon the ground at the foot of the altar, its right hand rested on a blade stabbed into the floor below." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "`The knight clad in silver lifts its bowed head, taking its notice of the trespasser within the hallowed domain...`\n\nIts back initially remained faced towards the entryway, its head turned away from the sight of the crossbow-wielding tabaxi. The knight, roused by the rumbling noise of the door opening, nevertheless could sense the disturbance from across the hall. Its hand, restfully sat atop the handle of its silver blade, shifted, taking the weapon firmly by its handle, and lifting it from its stabbed position into the ground below. It stood upright — at an imposing, incredible armored height of 200cm — slashing the blade through the empty air as so to flick the rubble which clung to its pristine silver form. Its height, form, and weapon revealed, there was only one more thing to note of the silver knight: a Sword, sealed in an ornamental holster, Rested upon its back.\n\nThe knight turned, and met the sightline of the intruding artificer, its silver blade at the ready in its right hand. Without hesitation, the knight walked forth, beginning its approach towards her, positioned at the opposite of the hallway of expansive length.\n\n`\"You, who dare approach the Altar...\"`\n`\"...Turn back.\"`\n\nA simple warning, as the knight continued to tread forth. It gave her enough courtesy to depart of her own volition, yet once it had deemed her a threat — either by her staying long enough for the knight to cross the several-meter distance between the two, or by her making the first attack — it would most certainly retaliate.\n\nAs the knight approached, she would notice that the divine presence did not emanate from the knight, itself, but rather the gleaming altar behind it. Considering the sheer strength of the altar's eminence, there would be no doubt that the guardian assigned to protect such an extraordinary monument would have equal might to its importance..." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Focused more on the reading off of her gauntlets than what's visually going on around her, Tabby hopes to see at least one more speck of school information before... Ding! The timer runs out and the ten minutes of Detect Magic Have been lost as the screen flips back in with a Ker-chunk, she looks up at the ceiling, taking note of the mural painted upon it. Well, that certainly seems like a font of magic power, doesn't it...\n\nAnd then her eyes fall upon the Silver Knight, who has begun walking towards her, sword in hand. What to do, what to do... Ah, right. This knight might possibly not be as gifted in terms of sense as the previous battle, so what if... \"Sounds fair to me!\"\n\nTabby heeds the warning and turns around, walking for enough out of sight and back towards the door, fully okay with just heading right back out. Or, at least, that's what she hopes to deceive the knight into believing, for once she turns behind the door — leaving it open and seemingly Turning The way back towards the rest of the church, she slides up behind it and does two things, not in combat quite yet. For starters, she withdraws the dagger at her hilt, it glowing with the Blessing of the Forge Instilled upon it through many weeks of tireless work. But, does Tabby attack? Oh, no, not quite yet. That's only for a last resort.\n\n_ _\nYes, instead of waiting for the knight to get closer and stab him point blank, the crafty cat casts Invisibility, the electrical field from earlier extending from her armor and distorting her form until it simply was not perceivable to both the strange prisoner, and Hopefully The knight, as well. With that sorted, Tabby steps back into the open cavity of the door, taking great care to hide her blade from the knife in the instance her plan backfires and placing both hands upon both doors and seemingly smiling, testing the waters for the next bit.\n\nIf the divinity is from the statue, it might be a conduit... Not that I'd get much use out of it, but... That might be a target should things go wrong." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight glared forth as the intruder so swiftly complied to leave. Perhaps they were craven, perhaps they were wise; either way, so long as they left in peace, it would not pursue her further. The knight, satisfied, eased its grip on its silver blade, slowly turning back to face the altar behind itself. Its greaves clatter quietly against the ground as it retreated further back towards the altar, once more to rest at its foot...\n\n...\n\nThe knight quietly inhaled, its head tilting to oncemore glance over their shoulder and back toward the door. The silver blade still in its grip, the golden gleam of its gaze shot from one end of the room to the other, piercing the divine stillness of the atmosphere behind itself. It turned, calmly, and faced the open doorway once again.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n_ _\n\nThe silver-clad knight muttered, and, in its distance from the invisible form of Tabby, its words would mostly go unheard. Yet, while its words went unheard, its spell did not go unseen — the familiar, faint form of a Golden-hued, transparent shield, Fashioned into a form that appeared vaguely similar in shape to a Kite shield.\n\n`\"I am sworn by oath—\"`\n`\"To forbid those unworthy to approach the Altar,\"`\nIt spoke, declaratively, to what was apparently empty air, towards the invisible figure of Tabby—\n`\"So to safeguard its purity.\"`\n\nThe golden gleam within the knight's eyes sharpened, and an openly miraculous presence of arcane energy shot towards Tabby, its essence that of a powerful detecting spell.\n\n*`\"Come to me openly, and not by stealth.\"`\n`\"You will kill me, and prove yourself worthy of the Altar.\"`\n`\"Otherwise, I will forcibly remove you from this sanctified hall.`\n\nThe silver-clad knight proclaimed, its tone somber, and lacking of aggression.\nYet, as it finished, it swung its left arm upwards, pointing towards the ground Just ahead of Tabby,* The form of the magical barrier at its side Hurtling towards the knight's selected target, slamming into the ground at which it pointed. The impact would not be enough to harm Tabby; it was only meant to alarm her, and to serve as warning for her to leave." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Oh, mercy. Nice. So, Tabby takes this moment to prepare, taking the blade of Otaaraa and coating it with the spell Arcane Weapon, the only bit of magic energy she herself could provide without any external power — because of the nature of this spell, the Invisibility Dissipates, the field retreating back into the confines of the armor and remaining there; powered down indefinitely without the spell slots to use it.\n\nIt's true, Tabby has no time to smith this blade into peak performance with this knight blocking the way, but by channeling Arcane Weapon, it unlocks her Battle Ready Ability, the gauntlet temporarily carving out paths for the energy to travel through in the blade, enchanting it with Thunder Damage so that should it impact something, it would cause a shockwave of sorts through the blade to the intended target. Tabby could play this fair, or cheap. Let's see what this sword has to offer.\n\nSo, Tabby jumps back as the shield implants itself on the ground, vowing not to make the same mistake as last time and casting Vortex Warp At the very last second, marking the end of her spell slots above level 2 as she transports herself back into the altar's room, blade at the ready. \"Have it your way.\"\n\n\"I'll even let you make the first move.\" She stands at the ready, blade in front and to her upper left, thrumming with audible noise. As she gets into her defensive stance, letting the arcane guide her hand in this coming fight. Should the knight happen to close the distance in this enclosed room, range would provide her no benefit, instead a hinderance to her ability.\n\nTabby's goggles slide down her face on their own; it seems they too are enhanced in some way, made evident by the fact that they begin to Glow A deep blue, strands of visible aura coming off of them and to each side as her armor and gauntlets alight in the face of combat.\n\nIn case it wasn't abundantly clear, Tabby takes the Ready Action, waiting for the knight to come into range of her sword." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "`\"I see...\"`\n\nThe knight spoke, its tone somewhat enervated. Its sharpened, arcane gaze calms, as it witnessed the intruder manifest once more before itself. Stopping, some distance from Tabby — about five-to-six meters, total — the knight lowers its blade, its silver edge pointed towards the ground at its side.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nThe knight clad in silver whispered the words of a prayer anew, its left hand extended rigidly forward. A golden, glistening light manifests before it, dancing in a dynamic flux, before ultimately intertwining into a reinforced and consistent shape of a Large shield, About 2 meters In width, and 1.5 meters In height. The translucent form of the barrier hovered just at its fingertips, weightlessly hovering within the space that it had been anchored to.\n\nGazing from beyond their silver helm, the knight stared at Tabby, its demeanor almost disappointed, as if she had failed to meet some expectation. With some hesitation, and the barrier between the two, the knight sheathed its silver blade, its left hand still extended to sustain the presence of the `Solar Aegis` Before itself. \n\nThe knight flicked its left index finger forwards, pointing at Tabby...\n\n*`SWOOSH`\n\n...And the barrier shot forwards with remarkable speed, rushing forth at a velocity of about 55km/h. Were the barrier to collide, it would harshly displace Tabby backwards, likely sending her tumbling back through the hall, yet not striking hard enough to damage bone or severely bruise her flesh. An attempt to counterattack the shield would likewise prove futile; its arcane sustenance seemed nigh of indiminishable, overflowing with an intense, miraculous vitality that rendered it several times stronger than steel." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "As the knight reaches within 5 meters, Tabby rushes forwards VERY quickly, the Ready* Action previously taken swinging into play as she stabs right towards the likely unprotected RIGHT Hand casting the Aegis, combining the Thunder Shockwave with that of an Arcane Jolt, causing the strike to be even heavier in power, attempting to knock the knight completely off balance — stagger him to make a blow that would likely be fatal.\n\n\n\nAnd now, it's her turn in the combat. \n\nTabby, blade glittering with concentration yet to be broken, surges forward, aiming a slice at the knight's left hand — in attempt to subdue some type of spellcasting that he may possess in said hand, as evidenced by the shield — and another Arcane Jolt-infused Thunder Shockwave strike aimed at the legs, intending to sweep the knight straight off his feet and to the floor underneath her, where, if successful, she would point her blade at his chin.\n\nRegardless of success, she grunts out a few words between swings, namely. \"I'm - Not - Going - To - Kill — You if I — can help - IT.\"\n\nNow is the time to remind that Thunder Is a shockwave type of magic, and Arcane Jolt Empowers any weapon strike with that of Force damage, another incredibly potent type of shockwave. Tabby fully expects to be able to succeed, but only time will tell.\n\nTabby is unable to take Extra Attack As her Ready Action was violated by the shield. Thus, she is forced to end her turn with only 2 powerful attacks towards the knight." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight looks dreadfully, tired, from beyond their knight, its eyes following Tabby as she charged forth and dodged the initial, oncoming form of the barrier. The arcane energy that trickled from its left hand could physically be felt permeating throughout the atmosphere at and about the atmosphere around its fingertips, sparkling magnificently with the tremendous quantity of mana and sheer, prevailing faith that bolstered the silver-clad knight's incantation of miracles. The light fades as the barrier dissipates, having missed her entirely; though, it had already performed a valuable task for its creator, which was forcing Tabby to break momentum in her forwards charge to dodge the barrier.\n\nNot so much as taking a step backwards or forwards, the knight's somber eyes hold tightly to her form as she continued to move forth, the rousing of arcane energy oncemore manifesting in a most brilliant manner about its left hand. Considering the knight's proficiency, speed, and strength in the art of incanting miracles, as well as the fact that Tabby had been forced to dodge, the knight had all but entirely reset the scenario to a state akin to its very beginning, albeit with Tabby displaced at a slight angle to its left. \n\nTabby could hardly clear a second meter before the knight, again, hushedly muttered the phrase of the miracle anew.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nYet it would not manifest the effect of the miracle instantaneously. The knight allowed Tabby to continue in her approach, almost allowing her to fully complete her charge forwards, and too allowing her to begin the winding motion that began her slash directed for its left hand.\n_ _\n\nIn the moment that Tabby had shifted her forwards momentum into a slash, a shield — smaller than the first, at about a meter in diameter, and with a weakened opacity, only slightly visible to the eye — manifested mere millimeters from the knight's left hand, round in shape, yet sturdy and reinforced in nature. It manipulated its hand, ever-so-slightly, to redirect the angle and the presence of the shield to intercept Tabby's blow, yet would not physically guide its form — rather, the knight would manipulate it remotely, traces of the miraculous mana streaming from its fingertips and into the shield, so as to control it from just a fingers'-length distance.\n\n*`PING`\n\nForcefully, magically, the shield was flung to oppose Tabby's slash at an angle and momentum exactly opposite her blade. The shield would collide forcefully with her sword, its arcanely-reinforced nature Dampening even the tremendous shock brought forth from the enchanted blade,* Reverberating with a magical *PING,* Yet continuing forth with such incredible force as to Parry her blade insomuch to force it to rebound backwards, Thus interrupting the opener of her combo of strikes.\n\nThe knight's eyes briefly locked with hers, as, in the moment of impact, it muttered again,\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\n*`A second shield, exploding forth from its empty right hand, identical in size and shape to the first kiteshield-esque form of the barrier it initially used to open combat, flew forth from point-blank at the likely-staggered Tabby.`* As was for before, were it to hit, it would likely send her tumbling backwards, yet would not do enough damage to break bone or severely bruise her." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Naturally, from such an un-react-able distance, Tabby is hit by the shield, sent tumbling back and rolling onto her stomach, quickly pulling herself up. On a concentration spell save DC, she rolled a 13, so by some sliver of luck, she manages to just barely hold on to Arcane Weapon. \"Not.. Bad.\" She coughs, standing up and getting back into posture, trying to think of a way to cease the shields.\n\nHer eyes lower to her gauntlet, a small readout reading the power level available to her for the next attempt.\n\n2 level 1 spell slots, 1 level 3.\n\nOne level 3 spell slot.\n\nTabby's eyes widen as she realizes the implications of this, quickly reaching into her Weapon Bag of Holding and pulling out a real, live, unenchanted crossbow bolt. The gauntlet that grabbed said bolt infuses it with magic energy and she tosses it skyward, arcing directly above the knight's head before... Plink! Plink plink plink plink plink! With her gauntlet acting as a Spellcasting focus, Tabby casts Conjure Barrage Directly on top of the knight, forcing him to choose between either her or the hundreds of crossbow bolts raining directly down upon him. She rushes forward, but is forced to End her Turn, sword poised once again at the knight's legs, fully intending to swipe at them should he choose to prioritize the arrows. What a precarious situation...\n\nIf one were to block Tabby, the bolts would certainly deal substantial damage. If one were to block the bolts, Tabby would be able to retaliate with a myriad of pure arcane force.\n\nTabby Ends her Turn After putting the knight in this situation." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The barrier that struck Tabby faded, and the knight stares onwards, its posture now relaxed, with her at a restored distance within which the silver-clad knight could comfortably manage any oncoming rush of attacks. The roundshield at its left hand, however, did not fade, still hovering some distance from its wrist, bound to its armored form by a stream of miraculous mana that trickled from its left hand, visibly feeding the arcane barrier the sustenance in energy it required to continue existing. Its subtly red irises peered from beyond its helm towards Tabby, watching her closely as she prepared her second attack...\n\n`...One soon to come from above, and one that would leave her open to charge forth...`\n\nThe knight blinks softly. The somber, fatigued aura of the knight not only persisted through up until this point, but only seemed to grow more and more tired as Tabby continued to fight on. Not in physical strength, but in mental, as if the knight was exasperated by her very effort to continue fighting.\n\n_ _\n\n*`PING`\n\nIt raised its left hand overhead, and the roundshield that hovered by its left hand shifted positions, now guarding the trajectory from which the barrage would descend. Being 1 meter in diameter, the roundshield wound soundly defend the knight from the volley of replicated projectiles, its translucent and thoroughly-reinforced, enchanted nature serving to effortlessly deflect even a tremendous amount of attacks simultaneously. The knight, was, of course, a specialist in the Prayers of Unity — and the `Solar Bulwark`, especially. There was not one within the whole of the Ark who could match their prowess with the Sun of Protection, save for maybe `UKUE`* Himself.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nAs the knight witnessed her charge forth, it would ignore the decision that it was granted entirely, instead maintaining the first barrier over its head with its left hand, Extending its right hand forth in the time it took Tabby to charge, instantaneously manifesting a tower-shield-esque form of the miracle, spanning two meters in width, and two-and-a-half meters in height, protecting the entire frontal flank of the knight. Her blade, upon contact with the shield, would rebound against its dense form of tremendous arcane prowess as though it struck a wall of steel.\n\nIt is in this moment, that the knight, from beyond its translucent shield, stared at Tabby, meeting her eyes from within the gap of its visor. There is the appearance of severe disappointment and deep, deep sorrow within their crimson eyes, their gaze downcast, before they closed their eyes entirely.\n\n`\"...Then, you are not the one either.\"`\n\nThe knight would lower their left arm once the volley of overhead arrows began to pass, yet would independently sustain each of the two shields at their left and their right, averting their gaze from Tabby.\n_ _\n\n`\"You do not possess the right of strength to kill me, nor to approach the Altar.\"`\n\n`\"...\"`\n\n...They spoke, dejectedly, as if disappointed with her lack of might, pausing briefly.\n\n`\"I do not wish to fight you any longer.\"`\n\n*`\"Please, leave this sanctified hall.\"`" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"Let me think about it for a moment.\" She steps back, willingly withdrawing her blade and taking note of what the knight was wearing for the first time in the encounter and keeping a defensive stance — the blade pressed against her gauntlet in her right hand, still thrumming with Thunder* Magic. \n\nHer eyes widen as she puts two-and-two together, the sword in her hand Ssssshnkking As she changes the type of magic imbued within it using her Bonus Action, from Thunder, to Lightning. This knight is wearing METAL. \"I — am not one for just. Giving. Up.\"\n\nAn uninteresting change on paper, but Tabby has come to an interesting realization. The metal on the knight is no ordinary metal. No, no... The knight is wearing SILVER. And, pray tell, What is the most electrically conductive metal in the world? Not gold, not bronze, not copper nor platinum. A metal so conductive that it is the official benchmark for just how easy it is to conduct a charge.\n\nThe most conductive metal in the world is SILVER.\n\nBut, this knight... It refuses to budge it's magical shield. So... \n\nTabby suddenly starts to chuckle, a gas PshnkIng out of a few canisters on her belt — nothing poisonous nor inherently harmful. It's Magical laughing gas, Seeping into the magical shield and around it as the knight speaks to her, hoping to inch its way into his lungs.\n\nTo get around the issue of having a magical barrier, Tabby is going to use the gas to make the knight forcibly drop it, casting a very niche spell reserved for only very RARE occasions.\n\nTabby casts Tasha's Hideous Laughter, readying her blade for the onset of the effect, unwilling to give up just yet as the goggles enchant a magical gas-mask looking thing over her mouth and nose, looking familiar to a Razer Zephyr mask.\n\nWith this bout of action, Tabby is forced to End her Turn." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight stared at the distanced artificer with a gaze of suspension, its magical shield at both its side and its front maintaining in their intense arcane purity as she made her decision. Its right hand, encased in a gauntlet of overlain silver, remained extended forth, its metallic form reflecting with the gleaming light of its immense, golden mana of miracles that trickled forth from its fingertips. As she made her decision, the knight remained still and steadfast, not so much as taking a step forwards, back, or preparing another attack, allowing her at least the honor to choose.\n\n`\"I understand.\"`\n\nThe knight responded with languish in its tone as Tabby gave her straightforward and militant declaration that she would continue to fight. Its still battle-ready posture tensened, and the knight gave a deep sigh, as one who had experienced such a sequence of events so endlessly-many a time before.\n\n*`SWOOSH.`\n\nThe protective, kite-shield shaped barrier, manifested by the knight's right hand and sustained directly ahead of itself, projectiled forth towards Tabby in a sudden burst of speed, its velocity at about roughly ~55km/h. Again, were it to strike her, it would have similar results as to the last time it had — having sent her hurtling backwards in a not-quite-debilitating, yet not-quite-unharmful impact. The moment after the barrier struck her, or after she had dodged and the barrier traveled some one-and-a-half meters beyond her, it would demanifest, leaving the knight's right hand freed once more.\n_ _\n\nAs the gas permeated throughout the atmosphere, and so approached the form of the knight, it would innately be cautious of its nature, yet would inevitably take a single breath of the gas inwards. The scent, noxious, and its effects, rousing within its chest and attempting to impose some form of hallucinogenic effect upon its body, stirred the notion of alarm within its battle-instinct, and so the knight would avert itself from taking another breath of the gas inwards. That was, until—\n\n```fix\n\"𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐚 𝐄𝐳𝐮𝐞𝐤.\"```\n\n—The resounding words of a prayer, spoken clearly, not reticent in the slightest.\n\nUp until this point, the knight clad in silver had only incanted a single miracle, and a miracle of a singular nature—Unity,* That of Ukue's prayers, and the Solar Bulwark designed to defend oneself. Now, however, it had spoken the words of a miracle of an opposite nature: a miracle of Disparity, That of Aazkue's prayers. The prayer of Purity; the prayer of the Sun that Purifies.\n\n```diff\n- ☀ 𝐅𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐌. ☀ -```\n\nA light like crimson flame, faint, yet burning, and tremendous in an imposing and positively *Dominating* Nature, scorching in the very essence of Individuality, roused from within the knight's body. A plume—an aura—of heat, of arcane, miraculous energy, enveloped its towering stature, its engulfing heat scorching not the knight's body, but Immolating the ties of the beyond, instead. Be it of a miracle, a spell, or something as terrific as Divine intervention, itself, The crimson aura of false flame would annihilate the effects of interceding abilities that directly attempted to manipulate the knight's form—Or even the atmosphere that surrounded it.\n\nMerely being in the presence of the false-flame of individuality was like being in the presence of the star. The miracle was incanted with such strength and skill that one could believe it to have originated from its very creator, themself. In both miracles of Disparity and Unity, of Ukue and Aazkue, the knight was demonstrating such prowess that it seemed worthy enough to succeed the title `Guardian.`\n_ _\n\n*Taasha's Hideous Laughter is nullified.\n\n`\"I will not inflict you with enduring injuries.\"`\n`\"But, if it is all that makes you see reason—\"`\n\nClasp.* *`SWOOSH.`\n\nThe knight spoke, and just as quickly as they finished, the Shield hovering about its left arm projectiled forth,* Clearing considerable distance in a single instance, before instantaneously shifting momentum into an Arced swing that swiped right-to-left, Aimed to strike Tabby forcefully across her jaw, were she not to dodge nor block. The considerable momentum and arc of the swing would leave no room to dodge left or right, leaving her only options to dodge Backwards, or below the swing, entirely.\n\nYet, that was not the full extent of the knight's attack. Up until this point, the knight has only been using a fraction of its prowess — its ability to carefully manipulate the incantation that was `Veie Ezuek`. Its ability and prowess with the miracle was only just nigh of Ukue's himself, and such was reflected in its following action. \n_ _\n\nWith the mere motioning of its right hand, and the shortest of whispers beneath its breath, it manifested a powerful tower-shield-shaped Bulwark (measuring 1.5 meters in width And 2 meters in height) a half-meter **Behind The opposing artificer, In the very same moment that it swung its roundshield, Swiftly (and remotely) Pulling the shield towards itself At a speed of 55km/h, equivalent to the last three times it had projectiled its shield up until this point. Were she not to dodge, the shield would not continue travelling long enough to send her tumbling towards the knight, but would rather swiftly demanifest after the moment of impact, the breadth of its effects simply being to Shove her off-balance and slightly forwards, Thus nullifying her ability to dodge backwards in response to the arced swing and likely knocking her off her feet were she to either block it or dodge downwards. The extent to which she could evade both attacks, simultaneously, was limited solely to something along the lines of a forwards roll or a teleportative escape maneuver.\n\nIt is clear that in these two simple attacks that the Knight is still yet prepared to attack her, Waiting solely for her response to the twofold-attack before continuing. Both of its shields demanifested, it is at-the-ready to summon a Bulwark with either its left or right hand.\n\nAll this, and the knight has not drawn either of its two swords, nor has it exhausted a significant amount of the tremendous magical capacity in its possession." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Tabby's gauntlet battery meter is squarely in the red, the gas mask fading as the gas it is designed to block against is nullified, alerting Tabby that the attack was unsuccessful and she only has but a few seconds to judge her surroundings. \n\nThe shield comes rushing towards Tabby, who, although can sense the bulwark, is not entirely focused on it. If it were to hit, it would be devastating... So Tabby IMMEDIATELY** Takes the one option that comes to mind, her goggles glinting with red sparks as she Rolls forward and to the LEFT, weapon enchanted still with the Lightning Granted from the Arcane Weapon Spell, slashing directly upwards at the knight's Hopefully Exposed hand, swiftly closing distance with her Feline Agility, moving 10 feet every second. The individual lenses of her goggles fill with deep crimson, manifesting a power from entirely outside that of the Forgotten Realms, and certainly not magic of Tabby's doing.\n\nFrom the cat's point of view in the goggles, everything appears entirely red — no, not as if it were tinted — everything red, period. If this knight can call upon some miracle, Tabby is just going to have to make do with what's given. The back of the strap holding the goggles to her face seems to vibrate, alerting her officially to the presence of the bulwark and helping her figure out that this is probably a pretty decent spot to be in. If the knight didn't de-summon the bulwark, it would surely be hit due to the close enough proximity of the cat and the knight's hand, or at least that's Tabby's logic.\n\n_ _\nFor Extra Attack, Tabby slashes at the knight's side with the still charged blade. A single hit could turn the tide due to the guardian's fashion choice of such a wonderful metal.\n\nAfter attempting her two slashes, Tabby opts to roll yet again, making the whole experience very fluid. A quick rush in, roll, upper slash and stab, and roll back out to the other side of the knight, still guided by the swiftness granted to her with her burst of speed and smoothly getting to her feet, sword at the ready. It is here that Tabby Ends her Turn, goggles pulsating with an alter-dimensional awareness." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight's peering, red eyes kept watch on Tabby as she made her response to its oncoming assault of several attacks. Taking note of her motion and movement, and still at-the-ready, even despite her early motion, the knight gives instantaneous reaction to her relatively-safe option of dodging early, closing the distance between the two and opting to immediately slash out of the apex of her roll. Miraculous mana glittering at the knight's fingertips, the two barriers that it had summoned previously sustained themselves within the air for but the briefest of moments, as Tabby made her attack whilst it could not re-summon yet another barrier in the slight moment that it took to demanifest the original two.\n\nOr so it seemed.\n\nWhispering, in response to her approach, the knight invoked the miracle `Veie Ezuek` Once again, and, in a moment of intense channeling of arcane energy, it is revealed: the knight is not limited to not just Two shields, But up to Three, And perhaps Many more.\n_ _\n\nExplosively detonating in downwards momentum, the tapering edge of a 1-meter width kiteshield — yet another manifestation of the Bulwark — appeared at the fingertips of the knight, Erupting downwards in extreme velocity, Intercepting Tabby's upwards strike by colliding harshly with her wrist. Lest she turn back on her strike and backpedal within an instant out of her initial roll, the shield would likely impact her wrist with such ferocity that it would heavily bruise the flesh about the point of impact — and likely render her incapable of firmly wielding the sword for some time. Regardless, the sudden appearance of the barrier and its opposing trajectory would intercept her swing upwards, rendering it nigh of impossible to immediately continue in her attack against the knight. The barrier, unless opposed with immense and almost unrealistic force, would continue in its downwards motion, up until the point it planted itself upright in the ground between the knight and Tabby. Were she not to withdraw her swing after the initial impact of the shield, she would find her hands pressed harshly to the ground by the tapered point of the kiteshield, immobilizing them and potentially even rendering them crushed.\n_ _\n\nIn this moment of downtime bought by the defensive action of the barrier, the knight Demanifested the two other barriers present beyond Tabby, on the battlefield behind her. The knight, within armslength of Tabby, does not so much as flinch nor move, instead remaining steadfast in its faith in its own shields. It stared briefly down at her, her posture lowered from her roll, and motioned its left hand rightwards with a subtle whisper.\n\n*`SWOOSH`\n\nA tower-shield formation of the Bulwark manifested at Tabby's right (identical to the last; 1.5m in width and 2m in height), exploding in identical forwards momentum at the likely-staggered Tabby, as so to send her hurtling to her current Left.* With her frontal flank blocked by the presence of the planted kiteshield, the shield would force her to dodge Backwards, Seeing as it would not stop in its forwards motion until it cleared roughly 3 meters in travelling-distance, with or without Tabby in its way.\n\nAnd so, as it has been revealed that the knight is capable of summoning More than two barriers simultaneously, The knight, in this motion, logically possesses at least One more shield that it may manifest at any given moment, If not more. Its mastery of the incantation of `Veie Ezuek` Had been proven time and time again within this brief conflict, and perhaps would be proven to an even grander degree, nullifying Tabby's attacks at every given opportunity, all the while without requiring the knight to take a single step." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat's sword collides with the barrier as she suddenly withdraws, making 2 critical choices in her movement — quickly rolling back, and thus withdrawing her hands, she reaches for the weapon bag, taking her action to Use an Object, to dump out the entire insides of the bag — and more importantly, the Corpse of her Defender. The knight is allowed a brief glimpse inside of the bag. It is seemingly empty, but the inner workings provide some interesting sight — the inside of the bag looks like a starry knight's sky, freed of things such as smoke or planes, or satellites. A pure mural of celestial bodies.\n\nYes, there are a few flaws in terms of perfect eyesight and more critical functions like fine-motor in regards to individual finger movement, but Tabby Did Expend a spell slot after besting Otaaraa with Cumhall earlier to bring it back to life. \"You. REALLY. Need to take a fuckin' HIT.\" The cat snarls, placing her hand on the automaton's legs, seemingly stopping there as a bit of electricity flickers throughout it.\n\nAnd back to life it shall be, as the defender's eyes suddenly gleam and turn on like that of an old CRT turning off in reverse, it quickly rises to its knees, then to its legs where it butts its two fists together, letting out what can only be described as either a mighty ROAR. The battle has become a 2v1 as the defender stands interposed between the knight and the artificer, creating the more Imminent threat As it readies a Force-Empowered Rend, punching directly at the knight's shield with a sudden, jerky maneuver dedicated solely to screw with the knight's perception of the true strength behind the assault. This is, after all, a sudden, new contender to the fight. With its other fist, the defender provides itself a bit of defense, moving its legs to a more sturdy position — ready for the next spell to manifest.\n\nAnd, of course, Tabby and her Defender End their Turn." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The gleaming form of the shield before itself grows in strength, reinforcing itself into a fully-densened, fully-manifested Bulwark of tremendous strength, now serving as the knight's primary vanguard. Positioned ahead of itself and in such an advantageous position so as to defend its entire frontal flank, the knight witnessed as Tabby reached into her bag, with two shields still at-the-ready to be summoned.\n\nSeeing that, with Tabby rummaging through her strange bag of the arcane, she was likely preparing some sort of trick akin to the Barrage Stunt that she had performed earlier, the knight prepared a counterattack ahead of time — it manifested a barrier directly Behind Tabby, At a distance of about a half-meter, taking the identical shape of the kiteshield before itself. Its tapering point directed straight towards Tabby's lower-back, the shield would suddenly explode forth at 55km/h from her blindspot, at point-blank. While she could likely dodge through the virtue of her Alert Feat, she would likely have to either cease rummaging through her bag entirely, or succeed to bring out the Steel Defender at the cost of tanking another hit. The shield would swiftly demanifest itself after it had either missed or struck her directly.\n_ _\n\n`\"...\"`\n`\"I requested of you,\"` The knight speaks, their tone understanding, yet still deliberated, and almost slightly disappointed,\n`\"To leave, peacefully.`\n\nThe knight responded to Tabby's frustration, its posture relaxed in the position it had been stood in since the very beginning of their fight. Were the Steel Defender to manifest and continue approaching, its strike would land square with the kite-shield still positioned directly ahead of the knight, which would resound with an echoing *`PING`, yet would not remain damaged nor budge from the impact.\n\n`\"And as I have said,\"`\n`\"You do not possess the right of strength to kill me, nor to approach the Altar.\"`\n\nIt seemed that the knight had finished taking an offensive, at least for the current, given moment. Instead of progressing to attack Tabby any further from its position, it would instead cast its right arm to its front-and-center, channeling the intense miraculous manas that coursed throughout its entire body into the form of the barrier ahead of itself. Tremendous quantities of miraculous energy fortified the barrier ahead of itself, causing its form to shift and expand into that of a widened tower-shield, four meters in width, and a towering five meters in height.\n_ _\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nAnother shield manifested. A kite-shield, a meter in width, manifested ahead of the gargantuan tower-shield before itself. Lined just several centimeters ahead of the first barrier, the knight had strengthened its defense twofold — and yet, of course, each barrier individually would be nigh of unbreakable to begin with. The knight had manifested a twofold defense of a maneuverable, smaller shield, and a tremendous, impenetrable barrier, withholding the use of its third barrier for more maneuverable and immediate defense in the case that Tabby would attempt to rush about its defense.\n\n`\"You will only tire yourself needlessly, pursuing an end you know nothing of.\"`\n`\"The purity of the Altar is not to be trifled with.\"`\n`\"Please, leave this sanctified hall.\"`" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Except, Tabby didn't Grab* The Defender out. The bag was Emptied Onto the floor in an instant. That is to say, the Defender had already awoke, using the fist it left as defense to scoop Tabby away from the bulwark with Deflect Attack.\n\nBut, Tabby doesn't retaliate with another fruitless endeavor. No, Tabby makes no effort to be outwardly aggressive in this round, instead choosing to reach up and unscrew the back piece to her Defender and stuff two bags inside of it — from the knight's point of view, she could simply be preparing to back out and leave. Somebody needs to go and do some prepwork after this if they want to come back and have a chance at winning.\n\nTabby, seeing as this guy is beating her at every turn & decision, despite her own magical prowess, is positively fuming with anger as she closes the hatch. \"FINE.\" Mentally, it's not really that fine. Tabby is a prideful inventor, making her machines the best job she could do. To have her contraptions defeated so handily is Insulting To her.\n\nDespite all of this previous kerfuffle, Tabby has not committed to an actual action. She takes the Ready Action, willing to brave a hit. Her Defender starts moving towards where the shields don't reach. \n\nNot that such magic would matter, of course. The Defender closes the distance, standing at a mere 6 feet away, taking the Ready Action as well.\n\n_ _\nThe second the knight begins to manifest ANYTHING, the condition of the Ready Action will be fulfilled. Tabby will reposition with Feline Agility And cast Lightning Lure on the knight's leg, yanking him to the ground and interrupting whatever spell could possibly undo the plan.\n\nWhat the Defender plans to do remains unseen. It's just a robot and hopefully there should be no possible way for the knight to know what the Bags actually do. Tabby is the more important threat at the current moment with her spell fizzling to life audibly. The Defender is just standing there not doing anything.\n\nTabby and the Defender End their Turn." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight, stood steadfastly behind its twofold barriers, watched closely as the Steel Defender begun its counterstrafe about its shield, and so, in the same moment that it witnessed begin its movement, motioned its right hand as so to shift the 1-meter-wide kiteshield at equal pace with the Defender, itself, as so to prevent it from reaching one of the knight's unguarded flanks. As the Defender travelled about and around the 4-meter wide tower shield before itself, it would meet only the face of the shifted kiteshield ahead of itself, preventing it from attempting any sort of physical attack on the knight's flank.\n\nAnd so, simultaneously, in reaction to Tabby beginning her flank in the opposite direction — unbound during the six seconds it took for Tabby to complete her actions — acted in the initial movement she made to strafe around the 4-meter shield. The knight manifested its third barrier before Tabby had fully cleared the width of the barrier and reached its blindspot—her Ready-action Lightning Lure would be incapable of interrupting the knight from forming the shield before it was already too late; a kiteshield, identical to the one that the knight was using to intercept the Steel Defender, appeared before of Tabby, following her in her motion so as to block her from ever reaching a direct and open path to the knight.\n\nThe shields to its left and right, blocking Tabby and the Steel Defender, glimmered with excess miraculous mana from each of the knight's hands, overflowing with the vitality of the silver-clad knight's intense arcane reservoir. Reinforcing, once, then twice again, the barriers took on the resilience and hardness characteristic of the large tower-shield before it, reinforced several times beyond the strength of steel, itself.\n\nSo it seemed it would simply wait out Tabby unto either exhaustion or her departure from the hall." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "You absolute idiot.\n\nYou fool.\n\nYou blundered.\n\nYou're dead now.\n\nAll thoughts that Tabby thinks of as the Defender stands __well__ in the perfect range to do The Thing, a giddy wave rushing through her. The cat quickly relinquishes the idea of Lightning Lure, but commits to her original plan of Feline Agility, and does indeed still intend to utilize her last spell slot on the knight. She quickly rushes the barrier instantly, a layer of _GREASE_ Arising from the ground that the knight stood on, making the floor within 10 feet around the knight's legs — and the underneath of the foot itself — nigh impossible to stand on. Tabby's goal was not to injure the knight with the Lure. It was to trip the knight.\n\nDespite all of the knight's spellcasting, the Defender ins unhindered, and its Ready Action Comes into play. With the Grease at the knight's feet, and the trap all set, no amount of magic will save the knight now. Not for what's about to come.\n\n_ _\nThe Guardian is treated to a swift \"Clckkclkcclkcckkk\" From the Defender as its insides churn rapidly, dispensing the two loaded-up bags perfectly. One opened at the bottom of the chest cavity, and one positioned right above, about to... Drop. Not that the knight would be able to see inside the mechanical being of course. But he's not going to be seeing a lot of anything anymore.\n\nThe defender's eyes suddenly flash white and power down, the body rapidly distorting in on itself as its electronic guts are RIPPED apart and torn throughout another plane of reality. Both bags cease to exist, and due to the knight's close proximity, he too is shoved inside.\n\nYes, when a Bag of Holding is placed inside of another Bag of Holding, both items are destroyed and instantaneously open a vortex that leads to the *__Astral Sea,__* Sucking up everything within 10 feet just as instantly, vaporizing the magic the knight used to combat the Defender, alongside the caster itself. Anything within 10 feet will be sucked in and dispersed into a plane where you will never need to eat, sleep, drink or age again. Eternally floating, forevermore.\n\n_ _\nWith the gate created, Tabby simply turns back towards the entrance to the hall and prepares to depart should things go awry. If this knight had a countermeasure against That, it's clear that some careful prep-work would need to be done. The crossbow materializes along her back as she simply walks away from the fight, unwilling to participate without the proper measures put in place. To be sure of what to do, she looks over her shoulder at the portal, ready to run on out should things go wrong." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "```ini\n[ 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑨𝑻𝑴𝑶𝑺𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬 𝑹𝑼𝑴𝑩𝑳𝑬𝑺. ]```\n\nLike the very fibers that constitute the realm of reality in which the current world presently existed were suddenly loosened, then tugged securely taut, a primeval presence that transcended the mundane plane of existence manifested itself alongside the appearance of the gateway to `another reality`, its presence of 𝚕𝚞𝚌𝚒𝚍 absoluteness nullifying the portal to the `Astral Plane` before it could even make itself fully manifest.\n\nThe world around the Steel Defender wavers, and in the moment of instability, it is questionable whether or not it even exists on the same standing as the surrounding dimension about itself. Nonetheless, as the fluctuating reverberations throughout reality itself slowly quiet, the world makes itself calm, and so, both the Defender, and the Silver Knight opposite itself, are left still within the Vektet.\n\nThe same could not be said for the Bags of Holding, however...\n\nThose reverberating, disruptive waves that echoed through the fibers of reality persisted around and about the bags, a resonant, auric hum, and that deep, bone-chilling essence of lucidity persisted about their enchanted forms. They are, on a fundamental level, Changed, As if by the primeval presence that had shocked the atmosphere moments prior. Their arcane link to another realm flickers and fades, their enchantments becoming visibly manifest in a shimmering glow that begins to wane and fade away, as if being sifted away, into nothingness. \n_ _\n\nThe resonance fades, and so too with it, the Enchantments on each of the Bags of Holding. Their links to a separate realm had been forcefully severed, as if by an arbiting, cosmic force that persisted not only within the remote proximity of the hallway, but so too within the entirety of the Vektet. It was as if, in the moment that the bags had demonstrated the fretfulness of their enchantment, they had been marked as a threat — and so Momentarily nullified in their entirety. Perhaps their effectiveness could be reclaimed with some effort; yet, for the time being, they were rendered no more than empty sacks of cloth." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight's gaze shifted, as it witnessed the Defender power down. The knight's gaze shifted again, as it witnessed the spellcaster to its side. It could not help but, too, feel the presence of the auric Law of nature That intervened directly with whatever process that the machination before itself attempted to perform. Nonetheless, still with the presence of the other attacker at its side — attempting to destabilize its footing — the Silver Knight diverts its attention, its body still roused with the crimson false-flame of *`Individuality.`* That very flame was what protected itself from the disruption of the threads of reality, itself, being tugged loose, then taut.\n\nAs it witnessed the encroaching grease, the knight reveals that it is not limited to just three shields — but Four, Simultaneously, as beneath its greaved legs, manifested a shield — a square-shield, horizontally-placed, two meters in width and two meters in length, elevating itself off the greased ground beneath itself.\n\n`\"I see.\"`\n\nThe knight commented, still ever-so-slightly awed by the presence of divine intervention...\nPerhaps it had underestimated Tabby. Or, perhaps, it had simply underestimated the nature of the world behind the *`Vektet.`\nFor one of such strength to so easily attempt to destabilize reality, itself...\n\n...Perhaps it ought to take this battle more seriously.\n_ _\n\n`UNSHEATHE.`\n\nThe blade sheathed at its left hip is released into the open air, its silvery form revealed, as it stared down at Tabby.\n\n`\"Then, as you have demonstrated yourself, at a fundamental level, to be worthy enough to attempt at my life—\"`\n`\"I will give you the greatest honor I know.\"`\n\n__`\"𝐀 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡.\"`__\n\nThose familiar words rang through the knight's head as they spoke it. How oft had they heard Him* Speak to them? Their teacher, their mentor, a brother in arms... And one of their closest friends. The thought roused sorrow within their soul, yet sorrow that would soon pass, as the knight cast away their emotion and pointed the tip of their blade towards Tabby.\n\n*`SWING—`\n\nIt swung their blade at the open air before before itself—\n\nEach of the barriers, save for the one at its feet, demanifesting simultaneously.\n\nSWOOSH.\n\nFrom behind Tabby—at a closened range of two meters, traveling at a resounding 85 km/h, initially aimed for her back, yet now striking towards her Front* (seeing as she has turned around), a kite-shield-formed Bulwark shot towards her. The knight would now hold back none of its might, and none of its tricks; it would now neutralize her, acknowledging her as a full threat to the sanctity of the Altar. And so it hoped that she would once again shine, with that dismal essence — That she would demonstrate, again, the strength to kill its very own self.\n\n_ _\n*LEAP\n\nThe knight leapt a resounding meter-and-a-half off of the shield from which it was elevating, soaring forwards through the air and downwards towards the retreating Tabby, having taken the first motion from its starting position within the entirety of the battle. The knight would not land on the Ground, however — no, rather,* It would land on another barrier, just in front and slightly elevated above Tabby's waist-height, slashing toward her turned back in a pincer-attack that would force her to dodge to either of her sides.*\n\nYet that was not the end of its assault. It, now, truly would not hold back.* Manifesting two barriers at about ankle-height on each side of Tabby in the same motion that it used to slash, it blocked her immediate left and right flank, forcing her, if she wished to dodge, to not only dodge to the side, but Up and over one of the two barriers, Lest she find herself tripped up by their sudden presence. By no means unavoidable, yet by every means a most precarious situation that teetered between the outcomes of escape and severe injury." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Oh, shit, finally an actual battle. Tabby quickly dodges the bulwark — a lot easier when she faces it head on, and takes the barrier on the left as her ticket out. The headband on her goggles buzzes, alerting her to an imminent threat from behind as she clears the Left Barrier due to her high Acrobatics Skill. \n\nIn that moment, her goggles gleam once again, allowing Tabby to take a Chronal Shift, time seeming to warp from the cat's perspective as she very SUDDENLY makes a very powerful and sudden swing at the knight, aiming to not only disarm him but knock him off the shield and to the floor. In the blink of an eye, Otaaraa's blade is raised to be perpendicular with the floor, and in another, slamming against the knight's sword in between the hilt at the very base of the blade, where Tabby swiftly rotates the blade so that the sword will be hit with the flat metal, pulsing with energy granted by the earlier use of Arcane Weapon And that of an Arcane Jolt, lending tremendous amounts of Force To the swing.\n\nThe cat chuckles a bit humorlessly, eyes burning with fiery rage as she takes another sudden swing at the knight irregardless of if the first not connect or bounce harmlessly off, putting, again, her full weight into yet another swing of the flat edge, aimed directly for the knight's pelvis — a very easy place to hit that would be instrumental in achieving her goal of Laying down the law On this joyless motherfucker, refusing to let either of her assaults go to waste or to be bested by the knight.\n\n\"SO NOW YOU WANT TO FIGHT, HUH? WHEN YOU WANT ME TO LEAVE, I'M NOT WORTHY, BUT WHEN I WANT TO LEAVE, SUDDENLY YOU COME MEWLING BACK LIKE A KITTEN?\" She hurls abuse at this poor, poor knight \"HIDING BEHIND YOUR SHIELDS AND 'OOOOH, SANCTIFIED HALL THIS' AND 'OOOH, SANCTIFIED HALL THAT'. GUESS WHAT MOTHERFUCKER, IF NOT IN THIS ENCOUNTER, THIS 'SANCTIFIED HALL' IS GOING TO GET REAL UNSANITARY WHEN I LAY YOUR FUCKING ENTRAILS OUT\"" }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight, standing on its elevated platform conjured of miraculous manas, did not allow its crimson eyes to depart from the form of Tabby as she dodged and retreated, her footwork still, in the slightest of measures, impressing its relentlessly-trained and superhuman self. To see her weave and dodge between the slash and the shield, all-the-while leaping over its barrier hidden in her peripheral, was an impressive feat, no doubt, even despite the knight's own prowess. To say it exceeded that which the silver-clad knight had seen once before, however, would be far from the truth.\n\nThe barrier that initially launched towards Tabby faded away, and so too did the two barriers that once rose to ankle-height at her either side. It appeared, however, that the knight did not have the time to — or simply Would not Take the time to — form another barrier, its gaze still peering, its sword still positioned at its vanguard in a lower Ochs Stance as Tabby's enhanced strike soared forth.\n\nTo Tabby, her strike was immensely fast, her sword's speed heightened by not only by strength that approached the upper bounds of what her Tabaxi Body could currently muster, but so too by the effects of the strange arcana that was Chronal Shift. Her strength, relative to what she knew, was immense, the tremendous force of an Arcane Weapon and an Arcane Jolt amplifying the force of its oncoming impact by a significant margin, beginning to transcend what the limits of what Humanly possible Was defined as.\n_ _\n\nTo the Silver Knight however,\nThe speed of her sword was Moderate pace At best,\nAnd its strength was Utterly Diminutive In comparison to the monstrous strength that its sparring-partner, Kaaze, once had.\n\nThe knight's fingers dance about the handle of its blade, twirling in a moment of prowess akin to the beat and flutter of a hummingbird's flight—\nThe blade's silvery form curled and flourished, dexterously deviating from Ochs stance into a low-guard in the blink of an eye—\nAnd its edge aligns with Tabby's own blade, traveling in an arced parry-riposte that would leave her ha~~ ~~\n \n__`𝐓 𝐖 𝐀 𝐍 𝐆!!!`*__\n\nThe silver knight's blade impacts against Tabby's upwards strike with tremendous force that does not only transcend human bounds, but makes it pitifully dwarfed in comparison. The arced parry-riposte struck with such impact that it would leave her hands tingling for moments on end, the blade which it impacted reverberating with a cacophonous, metallic `twang`* Akin to a damaged tuning fork, vibrating shakily in her forcibly-loosened grip with a harrowing sensation. Her very grasp on the blade had been fundamentally weakened by the strike, her combo interrupted before it had even begun, Her guard with the blade forced to the floor for more than a second Before she could muster the strength to once more raise it in attack.\n_ _\n\nThe silver knight's blade impacts against Tabby's upwards strike with tremendous force that does not only transcend human bounds, but makes it pitifully dwarfed in comparison. The arced parry-riposte struck with such impact that it would leave her hands tingling for moments on end, the blade which it impacted reverberating with a cacophonous, metallic `twang` Akin to a damaged tuning fork, vibrating shakily in her forcibly-loosened grip with a harrowing sensation. Her very grasp on the blade had been fundamentally weakened by the strike, her combo interrupted before it had even begun, Her guard with the blade forced to the floor for more than a second Before she could muster the strength to once more raise it in attack.\n\nIronically, it is in this moment that Tabby lands the first of her attacks that even damages the knight. Arcane Weapon Transfers the brunt of its shock through the knight's blade, permeating through its silvered armor in a moderately-powered electrical jolt. However, the knight, steadfast in combat, and roused with the purifying, mana-negating domain that was Solar Purity, Would soon recover — if it even had to, in the first place. \n\nTabby's *`Alert`* Feat sparks to life—\n_ _\n\n*`𝐒 𝐋 𝐀 𝐒 𝐇`\n\nHer first mistake was entering the hall.\nHer second mistake was attacking the knight.\nHer third mistake was making it believe she was a threat,\nAnd her last mistake was challenging it in martial combat with a sword, its most proficient weapon.\n\nIn the moment that the knight recovered, and in the moment that the knight locked eyes with Tabby, it would, for the last time, swing its weapon. The very atmosphere about its arms and blade shifted, densening, then lightening, a subtle-yet-emphatic vacuum forming as its blade soared forth, transcending speeds that the eye could see. It traveled in a blink from the knight's lower guard upwards, at an angle, and in the moment that it pressed, impossible to be opposed, against Tabby's neck—\n\n\n\n\n\n```diff\n- 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 -```\n\n\n\n\n\n`Her body was chilled to the very bone.`\n\n\n\n\n`...`\n\n\n\n\n\n`Yet she is still alive.`\n`The blade is pressed against her neck, yet does not travel further.`\n`The knight had stopped the arc of its swing before taking her life.`\n\n\n\n\n\n`\"Where did it depart?\"`\n`\"...\"`\n\n`\"I am saddened.\"`\n`\"I sensed it in you, if only for a moment—`\n`\"Your strength, extraordinary.\"`\n\n`\"I thought you naively to be the one,\"`\n`\"But it appears that, indeed, you were never worthy to kill me to begin with.\"`\n\n_ _\nThe Silver Knight of the Altar spoke, her red eyes peering with an empty gaze toward Tabby. Now closed in distance, the tabaxi can see it — from beyond the knight's visor, the subtle appearance of red locks, and the knight's somber red eyes... The knight's voice is calm, her tone lacking of violence, and emptied of any further will to continue fighting.\n\n`\"Then, since it is so,\"`\n`\"Please, leave this sanctified hall. In strength, you are neither worthy enough to take my life, nor to approach the Altar.\"`" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat stares straight ahead, unflinching even in the face of the death that was just a few millimetres away, eyes burning with fury. \"I. Will. Be back. And I Will* Take you down.\" She turns away, willfully leaving the room, if only for a minor amount of time.\n\n\"Mark my gods-damned words.\" The cat hisses, turning away from the knight as originally intended, marching out of the room with a slight stomp to her boots.\n\n. . . The Defender behind the knight PsCHS, as its eyes flicker on, taking a defensive stance as if they were still in the thick of battle, before Tabby puts her hand out behind her in a world-wide Stop Gesture. The automaton seems confused, visibly tilting its head. If it had eyebrows, they would have shifted around as well to add to the emotion. It seems that, though the contraption ultimately answers to Tabby, it does still have some semblance of free thought. It puts it's head down in what appears to be Shame, walking over and scooping up the things that had dropped out of Tabby's Weapon Bag earlier, then grabbing Otaaraa's longsword, shoving them all into the confines of its chest panel — which then subsequently hinges closed.\n\nThe Defender, too, walks past the knight, not daring to meet her gaze as they complete the walk of shame out of the hall, the threat of Tabby's return lingering in the air.\n\nTabby is not one to give up so easily." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The hall is as it has been left — quiet, calm, pristine, with an almost divine aura that beat down from upon high. The red runes that lined the surface of the ceiling emanated a most tremendous presence that cascaded through the hushed atmosphere, like a waterfall of sheer, auric energy that descended from upon high. When viewed in calm, it was a most delicately-balanced demonstration of architecture, beautiful by its lack of complexity and clarity in nature. One would find it a hall most fit for prayer, were it not for the valiant guardian that eternally persisted within its midst.\n\nThe Silver Knight, clad in its shimmering, unrusting armor that hid away its features from the eye, stood directly ahead of the divine Altar at the end of the hall. In its right hand, it clutched the unsheathed silver blade withwhich it used to safeguard the item of transcendent value before it, held close to its body and beside its breast in a dutiful salute of sorts. This time around, the guardian did not remain in a kneel, and would rather remain steadfast ahead of the Altar, attentive to all that which surrounded itself.\n\nIt noticed the door open, and yet would not turn, lest the one who peered through actually enter its midst." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Of course, that which truly matters within the hall is what is held behind the guardian — the Altar, Of such vague description, yet of such tremendous importance as revealed by the way of the church's construction, and by its need for such a dominant custodian.\n\nIt is not a humble altar in the slightest. Cylindrical in form, the altar was nearly 3 meters in diameter, and construed of a polished white marble, akin to the bricks which construed the rest of the church, albeit much more refined. The marble of the altar was overlaid in majority by gold, which covered about half of its surface space in total, channeled into beautiful accents that accentuated the pristine white of its form. Silver, too, existed upon the face of the altar, yet only in part; the polished metal was more of an undertone, seen mostly at the brims and edges of where gold had been hammered onto its surface. The last of the 'fine' metals to be seen on the altar, strangely enough, would be Brass. Brass covered its base, and was seen quite in scarce upon the object of worship — even less prominent than silver, yet still present nonetheless. \n\nVaguely, the rare metals seemed engraved with some sort of text and image, yet the great distance between any observer and the altar itself, alongside the presence of the silver-clad knight dominating the foreground, getting a clear read on what it actually depicted would be quite a task." }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "The ooze seeps through the floor, certainly giving off the aura that it Is Divine to the knight's razor sharp senses, yet it makes no effort to attack or use its divinity to harm, sliming up the floor as the God heads towards the altar, wishing to simply examine it. \"Hello, madam.. Would you happen to know what this altar is for? As a fellow deity, I wish to admire its Impeccable craftsmanship.. This Is An altar for a deity, yes?\"\n\nTruth be told, Cadwynn has no idea. That's why he's here after all." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The silver-clad knight lowers its raised sword to hang at its side, its upright posture shifting, as it peered over its shoulder with a single red eye. The hue of its slightly-arcane glare glinted with a crimson light akin to a dying star, its hue brilliant, like rubies — that was, until, a sudden shift; the knight's eye flickered with a subtly-reminiscent refulgence, its red tones overtaken by that of a glorious gold. It shifted its grip on its sword, its brilliant armor clattering at its side, and it turned, viewing the one who had made entry unto the hallowed hall of the Altar.\n\n`\"You trespass on the sanctified hall of the Altar—\"`\nIt spoke, in warning, taking a slow breath in.\n`\"—the object of the Twin Guardians' ambitions.\"`\n\nThe knight held its blade ahead of itself, yet angled its tip toward the floor — not directly aimed at the intruder, yet with its edge aligned to their profile, as if to demonstrate battle-readiness. Its following words quieted, as it briefly closed its eyes, reminiscing on the nature of that Ambition Which once burned so bright to create the object of worship now behind itself. There was a greater purpose for it. Once. Many, many, many years ago.\n\n`\"...The Altar of Impurity's Abolishment.\"`\n\nThe Silver Knight exhaled deeply, as though wearied, only to continue in heightening the tip of its sword, shifting its body into a stance akin to that of a lower-Ochs. The glare of its eyes weaken as its fingers wrap solemnly about the handle of its reinforced blade of silver, and it seems to waver, if only for a moment. There is an ever-present tiring to be found within the knight's nature, stood untrembling, yet ever-wearied within the light of the divine hall. And nonetheless, it would guard.\n\n`\"Turn back.\"`" }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "\". . . I sense your loss of energy in even your voice.\" The God speaks unto this... Mortal? Person. \"I commend your strength for even rising to stand after all that you must have been through as a knight in this hall. If I could clap and give you an applause, I would very much prefer to do so.\"\n\n\"But, I wonder if perhaps you are too tired? Would it not be nice to relax, if only for a moment, and enjoy a moment of silence?\" Although it is unlikely to change the knight's opinion, Cadwynn attempts to appeal to that of the mortal's restlessness, assuming that it would indeed take a toll on one's body. He makes a Persuasion Check, rolling a 27 as he slowly approaches, tugging at the end of his leash which tethers him to the underside of the door, tugging lightly and causing the Defender on the other side to quickly grasp the clock with renewed strength; knowing that the Abjuration On it would prevent any damage from such a sudden increase.\n\n\"I wish not to fight someone as skilled as you, but rather to admire the efforts of that who crafted such a fine place of worship..\" The God raises its goopy hands, attempting to at least Mimic Clapping, though it ends up just making sloshing noises followed by the brief clashing of teeth that found themselves unlucky enough to be on the hands in that moment of time.\n\n\"As a god of the law, seeing such a beautiful display brings a tear to my eye... If I had tear ducts, of course. Nrggh— nyeghh—-\" The ooze reaches the very end of the 60ft, struggling to move any further and treating the knight to a very comical view as it struggles against the door that trapped it so deviously. How barbaric!\n\n_ _\nOf course, Cadwynn is simply an ooze now. He does not deal damage, nor can he even attack, simply make illusions. It seems that the knight's threat of death-by-blade hasn't fully set in to the liquid projection, be it either by falsely believing himself to be invincible, or just knowing that he is, indeed a viscous liquid at the moment. The slime feels unthreatened, and simply makes no attempt to be threatening to the knight himself.\n\n\"The metals in this statue are - mmmmGH - incredible! I've never seen - haaagh - anything like it...\" The trespasser continues to make his attempts at moving by lurching forward, though they bear absolutely no fruit for the labor." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "*`\"No.\"`\n\nThe silver-clad knight would remain deathly silent and still in the heed of the approaching intruder's speech, its blade still wielded firmly in-hand, and its slightly-opened eyes peering with the essence of stern duty. Its voice would speak firm and curt, yet hushed and without aggression, interrupting the thought only after he brought up the idea of Relaxation.* It renewed the uprightness of its sword-stance, its eyes of red overlain with gold with an unending enervation — an enervation that could neither be broken by combat or by rest. Even the longingness to free itself from its unending tire in duty had been drowned out within the silver-clad knight's wearied mind.\n\n`\"I have guarded this hall for one hundred years.\"`\n`\"I will guard it for one thousand more—\"`\n`\"And then, again, ten thousand further.\"`\n\nThe knight took a deep breath in, and adjusted the stance in which it conducted itself, releasing its left hand from the handle of the silver blade tightly clutched in its right. It took a step forwards, so to close a slight distance between itself and the intruder, and so spoke in hush the words of a prayer — an Eclipse Prayer, and the sole prayer of its true mastery.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n_ _\n\nA kite-shield, reasonably sized, so as to fit comfortably alongside its left arm, manifested, hovering at its forearm with its tapering edge aligned to point at the ground when it rested its arm at its side. Glittering in the glorious golden hue of the knight's characteristic mana of miracles, the shield, with the motion of its hand, operated independent of its bodily control — directly responding to its mental commands. It would not immediately hurl the shield toward the mass of ooze approaching, yet would hover it a short distance of three-and-a-half meters ahead of itself, so to block even just a portion of the trespasser's body. \n\n`\"I am sworn by oath, to protect the Altar's purity, and to ward away those who are unfit to enter its presence of sanctity.\"`\n\n`\"You will kill me, and prove yourself worthy of the Altar.\"`\n`\"Otherwise, I will forcibly remove you from this sanctified hall.\"`\n\nFrom the day that duty was imparted...\n\nNone were to enter the Room of the Altar.\nNone were to approach the Altar.\nOnly by its death,\nOr by the return of its Lord, himself,\nCould an audience with the Altar be attained.\n\n...This was just how it was." }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "The ooze, understanding that its attempts at advancement were now simply futile because of the dreaded doors, stops trying to pull forward, looking up at the runes that glittered among this ceiling. Truly, he had not seen such an intricate design for worship.. Not in a long, long time.\n\nIt's at this moment that Cadwynn wonders if, because of being a type of slimey.. Thing, if he were able to climb the walls to examine the mana more up-close. So he places his hand on the wall, heading back to the door to do so comfortably, and sort of awkwardly shimmies against the surface to no avail. Stupid liquid body. If I were whole, I would have climbed this in mere milliseconds...\n\nWith that pathetic attempt out of the way, the God turns back to the knight, making the same advancement forward that it had just attempted & subsequently failed, boldly thinking that the knight wouldn't actually fire the shields like she did for Tabby." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Sensing the shenanigans going on the other room, Tabby sighs and motions for her Defender to Open the door And step in, lifting her up onto the Shield Guardian's shoulders and letting the arcane flow through her crossbow, creating a bolt of energy and aiming down the sight just in case. \n\nThe trio enter the room, Steel Defender moving upward to allow Cadwynn a bit more range in his motion, which he gladly takes. The Shield Guardian & Tabby stand off to the side, making two teams snd potentially easy pickings. They remain on guard as Cadwynn turns to face the cat, creating a diagonal line-of-sight between the two duos, a defensive strategy that would allow them to effectively communicate with each other about threat should something go terribly wrong — which it looks like it very well might.\n\nThe Defender stuffs the watch in its chest cavity, closing the door to protect the watch, even though it needed no protecting. This was done to keep the hands free in case of an attack." }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "\"What-? No-huh?\" The deity questions, incredibly confused by this sudden happenstance. \"Okay, ignore them they're - interrupting our fine chat that we were having as they are jealous of our social skills.\"\n\n\"The statue.. What is it made of?\"" }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "`\"I do not care to converse.\"`\n\nIt spoke with a light exhale, twirling its empty left-hand's fingertips so as to manipulate the form of the kiteshield, its tapering end directed straight downwards, before firmly slamming into the ground ahead of the knight. Unyielding in its position ahead of itself, it would serve as a buffer and guard between itself and the intruder, yet would do little to actually prevent him from continuing further through the hall — an issue which it would soon resolve, extending its left palm forth and doling a great excess of miraculous energy to the form of the manifest shield. Golden energy fluxed rapidly throughout the atmosphere ahead of the silver-clad knight, naturally coursing to imbue the shield, and Altering its form. The kite-shield extended to a width of about two-and-a-half meters, growing in height to about a meter-and-a-half, thus forming a rather robust barricade so to stop Cadwynn's approach. \n\nIt pressed its palm forth, and the barrier would slowly shift forwards, stopping about halfway down the length of the hall. It would allow him to go no further than that, and would soon begin to take measures to remove him from the hall, entirely. Indeed, the knight had no intent to chat — its duty was simple, and most adamant in nature. Protect the sanctity of the Room of the Altar.\n_ _\n\nThe gelatinous mass that spoke to itself was no more than another intruder — lacking in aggression, yet an intruder nonetheless.\n\nIts eyes of crimson overlain with gold settle upon the familiar form of yet another intruder, who earlier stepped foot into the hall. The artificer, Tabby, in the company of excess companions which it had not seen in her last attempt to challenge the Room of the Altar. Its eyes closed briefly, as if to express discontentedness, as it slowly shifted the stance of its sword, and sheathed the weapon entirely.\n\n`Sssp.`\n\nThe very same sword which it sheathed, it would withdraw — except, this time, with its sheathe affixed to its blade. Adjusting the belt upon which the sheathe was strapped, it unfastened the holster from its side, extending the blunted weapon at its right, leaving its left hand open. So it seemed that the knight would not again use the edge of the blade against Tabby in combat, as it had once been proven that such measures were unnecessary. Contemptuous, perhaps, but not in the perception of the knight; it sought not to slay any who entered the hall, only to remove them from its presence.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nThe words of the familiar prayer, spoken anew, caused the glittering form of two shields to manifest above and behind the guardian — each round in form, and about a meter in diameter. It would not hurl them hastily in an act of aggression, and would instead stand its ground at the half-way mark of the hall, glaring wordlessly for moments on end at the group of four intruders.\n\n`\"Please, leave.\"`" }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "Cadwynn, never deterred, casts a spell, seemingly flicking parts of his body up the wall and over it, continuing his advance, sliding against the fine magic shield swiftly, pooling on the other side and summoning forth another Cadwynn-like body, undeterred. \"Yes, yes, I know. 'I don't want to talk now that other people are here to watch me', very cute. Anyways, this statue... What material was it sculpted out of?\"" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat's stance shifts as she seemingly Also Casts a spell, her Shield Guardian stomping at the very place that it stood; the ground beginning to tremble underneath the knight at the start of this showdown. While not inherently obvious what Cadwynn cast, with enough knowledge, one would discern that Tabby has cast Thaumaturgy. At the same time as these tremors, whispers begin to part from seemingly all around, taking advantage of the cylindrical nature of the room they find themselves in. The Guardian shifts its stance, similar to that of the action taken by the Defender, opting to Dodge Should an attack come hurtling their way. They both use their movement options to come closer together, seemingly with the idea that, should an attack be flung their way their combined strengths would be enough to ward off the shields & bulwarks, but they do not advance far into the hall to do so, staying relatively close to the door instead — seems like that would be their exit strategy should things go wrong." }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "Naturally, all of these voices come from the mouths attached to the gelatinous body of Cadwynn, rising to pained screams and warnings of ill omen only subsiding should the knight choose to have a nice calm chat with the entity as it suggested. As the new Cadwynn pushes forward, the other remains squarely rooted in its position, seemingly only moving when absolutely necessary to control its other half, yet staying squarely behind the boundaries that were placed.\n\nThe other Cadwynn moves towards the altar, carelessly ignoring the very dangerous knight. Its advance is slow, however, as if the deity seems to have the idea that the knight will pounce should he inch ever-so-slightly closer. \n\nDespite all of this, nobody dares to attack the knight, instead aiming to confuse and mislead instead; depending on human nature to get the desired results. A joint effort between both parties with a singular goal." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight clad in silver heeded not the words of the god, and would instead clasp its right hand tight about the handle of the blade in its right hand. With its left, it subtly adjusted and guided the flow and form of its shield, shifting them from their idle stance at its back to its vanguard, each hovering lengthswise just a few centimeters ahead of itself, as if in preparation for a future attack. It, in this moment, truly had no more reason to heed their words than it did to let them pass — ultimately, whatever they said would be of no value to itself, for its only purpose in existence, now, was to Guard this hall. And it happened that they were intruders upon its sanctity, forsaking each of its two warnings. Thus, all it had to do, now, was prepare itself for combat.\n\nIts eyes imbued with gold peered harshly at Tabby as she began to cast her spell, its left hand clattering softly as it furled its fingers into a fist. A potent, miraculous mana of a similar aura to that of which it used to incant the miracle Veie Ezuek, Identical in essence, yet strangely inverse in acting nature, sprung forth from the knight's palm, as though it had anticipated such behavior from the intruder opposite itself. The mana it conjured grew tangible as it touched the air, its vehemence made visible to the eye, in a crimson, fiery glow. Indeed, the presence now revealed had already been seen once by Tabby — it was a potent, purifying aura, and one of the miracle it so incanted—\n\n```fix\n\"𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐚 𝐄𝐳𝐮𝐞𝐤.\"```\n_ _\n\n_ _\nHaving used a majority of its power once before, it had no reason to withhold any of its might from the intruder's prying eyes. All that mattered now was concluding combat in a swift and efficient manner, and so the knight would only pull a punch if it meant the difference between killing and sparing Tabby.\n\nThe roundshields at its vanguard shift, and the knight took the blade firm into each of its hands, breaking forwards into a rapid sprint as it encroached on Cadwynn. The barrier still stood between the two, and yet the knight did not have its sights set on the amorphous mass immediately before itself. No, rather — it would use one of the two roundshields hovering ahead of itself as a Foothold and springboard, Mentally shifting the position in which it hovered just ahead and below itself, before flinging the shield forcefully Upwards, Sending the knight fully above and beyond Cadwynn in a tremendous forwards leap that rapidly closed distance between itself and Tabby.\n\n*`CLATTER!`\n\n_ _\nThe knight descended in haste, landing a few meters ahead of the intruder, as each of the two roundshields it had conjured ahead of time swiftly flew to its sides. With hardly a pause following its landing, It began to dash toward Tabby,* All-the-while shifting the angle at which its roundshields hovered at its side ahead and to each side of itself. The shields, suddenly snapping forth in speed, would travel not toward the knight's target, but toward the Two automata which guarded her. Each roundshield would travel ahead of the knight itself, Hovering just ahead the Steel Defender and Shield Guardian, Intercepting the direct path between themselves and the knight, so as to stop them from immediately counterattacking it in its forward approach.\n\nWith such measures to ensure that its attack on Tabby would go uninhibited, it hastened its sprint, the tip of its sheath sword guided in a straightforward motion to Strike Tabby in the abdomen, With such backing force that it would wind her and send her tumbling backwards. The knight, however, would not leave such an obvious and easy-to-counter attack to be the sole offensive it would take once it had closed distance with the intruder, however — following the thrust, immediately afterwards, was yet another manifestation of the miracle `Veie Ezuek.` It withdrew its forwards-extended blade with its right hand, and, in the same stroke with its left, *Conjured a Scutum-Style with such breadth that it would defend the whole of its upper body, held horizontally, rather than vertically. Freely wielding the weightless shield with its left hand, it would Swing it in a horizontal arc following its thrust,* Exploiting its advantage in raw strength to intercept both an immediate counterattack and a forwards or sideways dodge that remained within its melee range." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Except, Tabby is Riding The Shield Guardian (\"Lifting her up onto the Shield Guardian's shoulders...\"). In one swift motion, she willingly falls off of said automaton's shoulders and away from the shield's oncoming assault, Abjuration Flaring and coursing through her Guardian, across her armor as she takes a deep breath, shooting two arcane crossbow bolts at both of the knight's shoulders.\n\nThe blade strikes the Guardian, and In this moment, the Guardian rushes forth, completely uncaring about the shield or injuries that it may sustain soon, instead presenting a very scary choice to the now-enemy. Get shot, or get the shit beat out of you. The Guardian swiftly pulls back for a punch, aiming it... At the knight's summoned shield, before pulling its punch suddenly — a Feint — swiftly kicking them in the exposed lower half with the force mustered by that of a machine programmed with one intent. It seems that both the Guardian & the Silver-Knight have something in common, They only serve to protect, For it does not attack on Tabby's express command. Its only rule to follow, Protect the Amulet.\n\nThe defensive construct moves forward, stomping down at the ground where the now knight would hopefully stand, at the kneecaps, unconcerned with there being a shield or not. The group took a defensive stance upon entering for a Reason, and they did not press forward save for the free-minded Cadwynn, knowing that they would surely be met with an attack should they do so. No, the knight brought this upon herself, and now it's time to learn a very hard, and very painful lesson." }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "Cadwynn, ever the opportunist, moves his Silent Image Forward, entirely unwilling — or perhaps, Incapable Of helping in this fight. \"Ooooh... Pretty!\" He exclaims, as if mocking the knight for choosing the cat over him, for he was the only one actively making an attempt forward right now. \n\nThe Steel Defender, on the other hand, actively moves Towards The ongoing scuffle, positioning itself Behind The knight as a pincer attack, and, much to Cadwynn's dismay, dragging him ever so slightly from his goal. \"Noooooo!!!\" The slime screeches in response, but its words fall on deaf, metallic ears.\n\nThe Defender gets into position, but due to action economy, is forced to take the Dodge Action due to Tabby's Bonus Action Being used to control the Shield Guardian. It awaits the knight's rebuttal to the attack" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "She sits up, crossbow in her hand and armor still glowing with the abjuration provided by her Guardian, though it is beginning to peter out due to the very short casting time. It seems probable that the next reaction taken would be from the Defender now placed squarely behind. \"I'm not even 7 steps from the door, you dick!\"" }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight's eyes shift with haste at the figure of the combatants before it — the glittering of mana before itself as the twice-intruder prepared a distant attack, retreating in a single motion, as its blade reverberates in a harsh contact against the metal of the Guardian stood steadfast before itself. The tremendous physical prowess the knight possessed would cause its blade's impact to be enough to impart quite a forceful quantity of momentum into the body of the unliving automata before itself, yet, being sheathed, would not pose enough of a threat to actually damage it. Nonetheless, the Guardian would not be pushed back by such an attack, and thus, unrecoiling, would progress forth in its feint — one that would be met by the wide form of the Scutum That the silver-clad knight had manifested. That very same shield would block both the bolts that Tabby shot, alongside the Guardian's punch... Or, well, its punch that Would be, If it did not feint. Its true attack came low, however, unseen in a two-way attack the likes of which would pose an unwinnable scenario for an ill-prepared adversary.\n\nThe Scutum Ahead of itself blocked Tabby's arcane-imbued bolts, and yet the low strike was still oncoming. Its crimson eyes set firm on the leg beginning to extend before it in what was a mere fraction of a second; the moment, to any other observer, flowed by with such speed that it would elude one's ability to rationalize and calculate any form of meaningful countermeasure. \n_ _\n\nYet, to one possessing of such heritage as the Silver Knight of the Altar, bequeathed by ancestry the right to be Champion As evidenced by its flowing red hair and crimson eyes, the fleeting moment passed by at a rate no faster than an awkward clamber. The gold gleam that transcended its eyes' innate nature of crimson beheld in whole, first, the immediate attack before it, and still yet had enough time to shift over its shoulder, confirming the onwards march of the fourth intruder, now positioned directly behind itself. As the sands of time trickled forth, its eyes shifted again straight ahead of itself, and it locked its gaze upon the Guardian immediately ahead of itself, its split focus now honed solely on the oncoming kick.\n\n*CLANG\n\nThe shield of its left hand blocked the bolts, and The inconceivable angle at which it shifted the blade of its straightsword parried the oncoming kick, adjusting its flow of momentum in such a manner that the knight could ease its body away from the redirected path of the Guardian's attack.. Within the twinkling of an eye, its fingertips danced about the handle of its silver blade, adjusting its withdrawn and upright stance with unbelievable dexterity, shifting the tip of the sheathed blade downwards, so as to allow such an impossible parry to become probable.\n_ _\n\nThe knight subtly swayed to the right, demanifesting the scutum which it used to block Tabby's ranged attacks. In the moment that the Guardian would take to recover from its forwards-shifted center-of-gravity, as brought about by its kick, the knight would peer over its shoulder and toward Cadwynn, the unmistakable sensation of displeasure accompanying its cold sightlines. For once, in many long years of service, one had traversed beyond the halfway-mark of the Hall. In this single, fleeting breath of a second, the knight's posture tangibly shifted, and so too did the nature of the atmosphere about itself.\n\n\nThere was only one reason that Tabby, a lone invader to the Hall of the Altar, could continue to challenge the knight.\nIt was holding back, and significantly so.\n\nThe sheathing of its blade, the withholding of a destructive offensive prayer that it had yet to manifest in their bouts, and the lack of its usage of the Blade of a hero's blood* Left undisturbed at its back — all were marks of its lack of intent to truly contest against the intruder as an equal, for it hoped not to slay her, but simply to make her see the err of attempting to continue challenging the sanctity of the Altar.\n\nAnd yet, now, in this fraction of a moment, there is posed a subtle, yet true threat — the idea that one could lay hands on the Altar, and so make its vow held for hundreds of years rendered worthless.\n\nIt would ensure that this wrong was righted, and in the same stroke, quell the intruder's flame of ambition.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n𝑬𝑰𝑹 —```\n\n—the second of the two roundshields that it had manifested, the one that had no target to intercept, dissipated.\n\n```fix\n𝑬𝑪𝑯𝑬 —```\n\n`Like his and his,`\n`the wrath of my brother's bronze halberd, and the nobility of my Lord's silver blade.`\n\nThe knight inhaled, adjusting the stance with which it held its sheathed blade into one of a more bellicose nature—\n\n```fix\n𝑬𝑰𝑲𝑶𝑽```\n\nThree freed shields, and three to manifest — Eir, Three, shields manifest instantaneously about the knight, each reasonably-sized, yet robust with the raw mana which the silver-clad knight donated unto their individual strengths. Each were formed as kiteshields, with their tapering ends pointed directly away from the knight, floating horizontally at about its neck-height. Within the moment of their manifestations, the knight would reveal a most terrifying apparition of its strength — an actual Technique Which it had honed, alongside the utmost of its raw, physical might. A demonstration, performed within a single moment, so to quell the immediate threats surrounding itself.\n\n*SWING\n\nFollowing the moment of the Guardian's kick, The knight released a two-handed diagonal swing with its sheathed blade striking toward the Guardian's upper-right shoulder, * Its force directed from up-to-down, so to shift the momentum towards its left hip, backed with incredible — yet not overbearing — strength that would send a notable shockwave throughout its body, were it to hit. \n_ _\n\nThat was not all that came with the single swing, however; one of the three conjured shields that hovered about the knight's neck, delayed only by a half-moment, would swing along an identical arc as did the knight's blade. Following the impact of the blade, the Shield's edge would collide with the knight's very same target, travelling with twofold the momentum that its blade did. \n\n...And then, Again. In immediate succession to the first of the shields swinging toward the automata, came the second of the three-shield formation, swinging alongside — at a nigh-identical, yet slightly shifted trajectory — the first and second swing. It, too, collided with a tremendous and only slightly staggered impact, building upon the already tremendous might of the first two impacts.\n\nAnd then, Again. The technique Eir — of Three — manifested and utilized three shields. Were the first strike to connect, there would be three impacts to follow. The third of the three shields swiftly swung alongside a similar arc to the first two, building even further upon the overbearing might of the first three impacts.\n\n```fix\n𝑬𝑰𝑹 — 𝑬𝑪𝑯𝑬 — 𝑬𝑰𝑲𝑶𝑽```\n\nThe attack of threefold would have to be dodged — even for a strong, metal being as the Guardian, to take on such a fourfold attack would certainly either force it to the ground, or send it staggering across the floor some distance.\n_ _\n\nThe three shields used in the technique of Eir Receded, floating back into their initial, hovering position about the silver-clad knight's neck, as it wielded with aggression its blade of pure silver, as if preparing to push further its course of attack. It would not immediately press its attack forwards, and yet there was a persisting sense of Threat That came with its general proximity to the group; it was watching them closely, and was preparing for a followup that would soon spring in response to their reactions.\n\nThree shields, unfolding from its body, as would a trillium's petals. Threefold an attack, and threefold a defensive measure. `Eir, eche, eikov.` \nTabby, even accompanied by two automata of formidable nature, was still a single combatant against one who had honed its skills to defend this hall for hundreds of years. Now without reason to hold back, she would ought to consider the sheer gap between their individual fighting prowesses." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat and her metal constructs continue their defensive play, not moving forward into the hall, as that wasn't their plan to attack. In fact, the Guardian need not move at all to deal with this attack, as a burst of fiery red light gleams from Tabby's goggles, expending the last use of Chronal Shift Available.\n\nThe Defender moves with sudden burst of agility, grabbing the knight's arm as it readies the swing that would deal such incredible damage, and twists it uncomfortably, using Deflect Attack To cause the assault to miss; its clean shell gleaming with the same red as Tabby's headpiece did just milliseconds earlier. The Defender grabs the knight's shoulder, but it does so Too late. The mighty two-handed strike aimed at the shoulder connects with the Guardian, causing it to begin stumbling as the initial shield also connects. It attempts to regain its footing with the bladed threat out of its way.\n\nOnly to be hit by the remainder of shields, indeed staggering it mightily.\n\nAlthough, that's not the issue now. The moment that the Defender grabs hold of the knight's arm, it attempts a Force-Empowered Rend On the back of the knight's abdomen, and in this moment Another Ultimatum is made.\n\nTabby's crossbow alights from her place on the ground, as she shoots a bolt directly at the knight's helmet, knowing full well that there is no chance of it actually hitting, although... That's besides the point.\n\nThe punch from the Defender follows suit immediately after the bolt is released, and the knight is forced between head, or a staggering blow to the Abdomen From behind. A simple task, if not for Extra Attack. Mere parsecs before either attack would miss or whiz by, Tabby shoots the Second Bolt, aimed for the neck, again neglecting the fact that there is probably armor there." }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "Cadwynn, completely uncaring to whatever frivolous shit is occurring at the other end of the hall, and being unchallenged in doing so, continues moving both his actual body and his Silent Image Forward, unhindered by whatever the fuck was going on near the entrance." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"I'm not TRYING to fight you, you asshole.\" The cat growls, readying another shot as the Guardian regains its footing, looking up at the formidable enemy ahead, yet refusing to move any further than standing directly beside the wielder of the amulet. After all, why should it? If the item to be defended is already nearby, why move away from it and risk its destruction?\n\nNo, the Guardian does not outwardly attack until absolutely necessary. Should the knight survive this next turn and continue its assault, then, and Only Then, will it attack, instead being forced to take the Dodge Action, as the economy has run dry.\n\n\"Hardly even step into the hall and you go insane.\" She spits and hisses, \"Fuck Off!!\"" }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The automata successfully took hold of the knight's arm, but to think it fast enough to continue in a twofold-attack would be overconfident thinking from its master. As its arm was resisted in motion by the automata's tight grip, the knight would pivot on its heel, twisting its torso in a dizzyingly-fast motion that seemed as though it defied the momentum of its former swing. Its crimson eyes overlain with gold foresee the machination's oncoming attack, and it did not allow such a threat to continue further than its origin; The knight, with its freed hand released from the blade and furled into a fist, struck the automata square in the abdomen, The whole of its superhuman strength revealed in the following, clamorous reverberation that echoed throughout the Steel Defender's body. The strike, almost twofold in strength what any typical human could muster, would perhaps interrupt the Defender's oncoming swing, and perhaps it would not. \n\n*The outcome of the First* Strike's strength would be irrelevant, however, as the Second strike, Immediately following the moment that the knight's fist struck harsh against the Steel Defender's chest, would no doubt even send such an automata flying. Manifesting in an instant, forcefully, from the knight's fist, was a small roundshield — no greater in size than a buckler, yet intensely reinforced with magical energy nonetheless — exploding with eruptive force forwards, so to massively bolster the overall impact of the silver-clad knight's unarmed strike.** Such a maneuver, enabled by the knight's blessed physiology that could almost be described as a direct upgrade in human evolution, would occur before the Force-Empowered Rend could even manifest itself as a threat. The knight would tear its grabbed arm away and out of the Defender's grip as it was hurled back, leaving it freed once again.\n\nThere was no ultimatum to be found here.\n_ _\n\nAside from the fourth shield it temporarily manifested to strike the Defender, there were still three shields, and three shields to both defend with and attack. Tabby's oncoming bolt is blocked Without the knight even having need to turn and face her; Each of the shields of the technique `Eir-Eche-Eikov` Were effortlessly manipulated with a freeform control that might cause one to believe that the shields were a very part of the silver-clad knight's body. A single shield would be all that would have to be placed between the artificer and her target, Each of the two bolts clattering off its reinforced surface as though they had struck reinforced steel.\n\nThe knight's crimson eyes set on Cadwynn, progressing further through the hall. Despite Tabby's lack of immediate threat to its own safety, her presence as a significant delay and hindrance toward any form of action taken against the fourth intruder would be the most pressing.. A ranged-user such as herself would find herself in a natural state of advantage if it retreated — and so, it would eliminate her as a threat before intercepting Cadwynn. His approach toward the altar was slow and apparently hindered, and, with all things considered, she was the greatest obtrusion toward its defense of the hall.\n_ _\n\nWithdrawing its extended fist used to forcefully strike the Defender away from itself, the knight broke from its fraction-of-a-moment rationalizing, turning to fully view Tabby and the Guardian before itself. Sheathed, silver blade firmly in its right hand, it directed the blade to its vanguard, and with a wordless command of its mind, the two shields hovering about its neck, as well as the single shield used to block Tabby's bolt, snap to its direct control. Thrusting forth, they travel at a rather hastened pace of 85 km/h, each traveling at separate, outwards trajectories that curved about and around the Guardian, before Honing in on Tabby, drawing close to strike her from her left and right flanks, with the third and final shield descending from a downwards-curving forwards angle. Each would impact with hefty force, enough to knock her straight to the ground.\n\nThe knight, simultaneous to its barrage, slid its thumb against the sheath of its blade, partially unfastening the white-leather holster that clung to the silver straightsword within its right hand. As the shields curved around the Guardian, it swung the sword forcefully at the air before it, and, of course, being at such distances that such a swing would pose no threat whatsoever to the Guardian, it missed entirely. However, the swing would Release the sheathe from the blade, sending it hurtling toward the Guardian. Such a direct attack would not harm it in the slightest; yet, the knight's weak and indirect attack was merely an opener. \n_ _\n\nAs the sheath flew forth, the knight took an empowered, single stride forwards, bursting in a direct trajectory of speed toward the Guardian, its posture shifting into an impossibly-low stance. Near-instantaneously closing the distance, and at the apex of the step-dash, the knight released an intense upwards slash whose momentum was borrowed from its stride, directed to originate in its slicing motion around the Guardian's lower-right foot while not actually touching it. The whole of the unsheathed silver blade blurred by the sheer speed of its attack, the slash would travel at a steep angle upwards and towards the Guardian's left, aimed to actually Impact at about its lower-right abdomen and terminate directly at its chin, Backed with such force that it created a tangible vacuum in the wake of its arm and a following burst of wind that succeeded the flurryingly-fast dash. The Guardian, being made of metal as it was, were it to be hit, would likely not be sliced in half by such an attack, but would nonetheless have its exterior shell gashed, and have the whole of the slash's momentum imparted into its body. To say that the shockwave brought about by the sheer speed of the attack would be enough to knock the automata over would be an exaggeration, but the energy brought about by the gale of wind that suddenly billowed forth would, indeed, be enough to stagger it and push it back.\n_ _\n\nTo counteract the downtime brought about by its shift in balance downwards and forwards, the knight would, in its brief moment of recovery from the upwards slash, perform an action which did not require the direct motion of its body, and yet would pose a sizable threat nonetheless. Swinging or dodging further from the stance that the upwards slice put it in would likely be impossible — thus, as it began to steady itself and its balance upwards, the knight whispered the single word of an incantation, its blade glittering with the origin of a tremendous magical presence—\n\n```diff\n- ☀ \"𝑶𝑬𝒁𝑼𝑬𝑲.\" ☀ -```\n\n—A potent, crimson-red flame engulfed its silver blade, tangibly warming the air in the direct proximity of the silver-clad knight.\nThe crimson flame of `Disparity` Flickered forth from the form of the pristine silver metal, erupting forth with a chaotic ferocity that even the knight, itself, could not tame. The flame of `Oezuek` Embered from the knight's blade as it solidified its stance, serving as, in its all-burning and uncontrolled nature, itself a threat, merely by Existing.\n_ _\n\nAs the knight finally stood upright from its incredibly lowered stance brought about by its explosive step-dash forwards, it wielded the blade engulfed with the flame of Disparity's terrible ferocity in a stance that emanated pure Hostility, Its eyes losing their former, faint glitter of gold, as they locked upon the two before it with naught but the crystalline crimson that matched `Oezuek's` Fury. Unconsciously, it paced the fourth intruder's progression through the hall within the back of its mind. Ready to attack, yet wavering for only a moment, it prepared itself to follow up on the offensive. In the following moments, it would end combat within a single instant, for, if it desired to protect the sanctity of the Hall, it had no other choice. Lest she retreat here and now, it would have to bring the flame-imbued blade down on her neck.\n\n*It would not spare Tabby's life twice." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Both the punch from the knight, and the Defender's rend connect at the same time, dulling the blow, but none the less hitting the target. The Defender, at the last second, switches its stance into something more defensive, bringing its hands up to block the incoming secondary strike and nullify a bit of the force behind it, causing the Defender to skid back more than a few feet.\n\nHowever, it does not retaliate, instead remaining in a shielded position to prevent further damage. \n\nTabby, seeing the shields drift around her Guardian, immediately rolls backwards. Despite her leg being damaged, she manages to pull this off; gritting her teeth and sucking air through them as her foot touches the ground, sending a jolt of pain through her paws and up her leg. She continues to carry her crossbow, yet does not use it. It seems that for this round, she has other ideas on what to do.\n\nThe Guardian is entirely unaffected by the sheathe being flung at it — as to be expected from something so unflinching & built-up. As the knight lowers to the ground, a flare of abjuration courses through the construct as it simply steps backwards, the wind indeed affecting it a fair amount. No matter. The Guardian, being far enough away to avoid the upwards slash of wind, is not sent flying, but instead pushed back. It lurches forward, readying a countering blow before... Giving up on the idea and taking a defensive stance like that of the Defender; the magic flowing through to the cat who found herself close-enough nearby. It crosses its arms in an upwards-facing cross, fists very much still at the ready should another attack come its way, unlike the Defender; who positions its arms far too wide of an angle to make much of a counterattack. Although they ultimately bow to the same master, the Guardian does have its own agenda to fulfill, and does not respond to every beck & call made by the artificer.\n\n_ _\nThe Defender, while in its protective posture, closes its fist around the clock, closing it shut with a soft Pluph!" }, { "author": "Cadwynn of Whiteridge", "message": "In that moment, both the Silent Image* Illusion, and Cadwynn himself, are immediately whirlpooled back in, causing another frightening frantic of voices to swirl, ultimately peaking and swiftly dying down as the last of the goop is reabsorbed. The machinations of the watch cause one small Tick! To be made; the first in a long, long time. And although it moves up by one second, it does not continue on." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The spell from before manifests, as Tabby too makes a defensive stand. (Figuratively, not literally.) She begins to speak, before lowering her crossbow to her side, silently and letting out a weak groan as her head lolls back a moment, letting out a gasp before finally regaining control.\n\nShe casts Thaumaturgy Yet again as the flame of Disparity Comes into play, her voice exploding outwards; amplified by the small speakers that pop out from her armor. \n\n\"FOR THE LAST FUCKING TIME, I'M NOT TRYING TO FIGHT YOU, YOU FUCKING MORON.\" Although dazed, it's still enough to catch someone attention. She quickly dispels the cantrip, taking a few ragged breaths. \"If I wanted to kill you, I would've attacked first. I came here to take the fucking goop out before things went bad, you crazy bitch.\" She readies her crossbow should the knight approach, yet does not shoot any bolt, nor any magic." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The shields, upon missing Tabby, would clatter against the ground just ahead of her, before rapidly dissipating into nothingness, returning to their initial, orbital positions about the silver-clad knight's neck. They had missed their target, but had performed their intended task of interrupting any potential further attack from the artificer — which would be, of course, irrelevant, due to the words to follow.\n\nThe silver-clad knight stood reaffirmed in its upwards stance, its flame-imbued sword brandished in a stance that reflected a wrath which was not the knight's own; it held the sword with the Raw strength That it had once seen a former comrade demonstrate, yet still maintaining the lifeless, pure, 'weaponized' nature of its latter teacher's swordsmanship — its nameless Lord, and the one responsible for creating the Hall of the Altar. The blade held high in a guardless stance at its side, it seemed to prepare for attack, the hostility welling within its body tangibly overflowing into the atmosphere about itself. However, within the moment of Tabby's words, it glanced briefly over its shoulder, and saw the recession of the fourth intruder.\n_ _\n\n...Its hostility, in that moment, is snuffed, alongside the flame of `Oezuek.` The crimson manas that erupted from the edge of the pristine silver blade flickered and waned into nothingness, as the knight slowly lowered the sword to its side, its posture and gaze easing. Once the fourth intruder's progression was removed from the equation, it, truly, had no further reason to continue assailing Tabby with such virulent intent. Her former warnings and explanations had gone entirely ignored up until this point, but it seemed, finally, with Cadwynn removed, that it would heed her statement.\n\n`\"...I see.\"`\n\nThe knight's crimson eyes weakly squint at the intruder before itself, and it gave a slow, enervated sigh, lightly bowing its head as if to suggest a half-hearted apology. Without further a word, it twirled the handle of its silver blade, guiding it to be sheathed within the grip of its armored left palm. Disarming its hostile intent, the three shields that hovered like the petals of a trillium in orbit about its upper body withdrew in strength, their golden, translucent figures fading into nothingness as it released each manifestation of `Veie Ezuek.`\n\n`\"I am driven by duty to my oath to remove all those who would intrude on the Hall of the Altar.\"`\n`\"Perhaps this duty has driven me to act too rashly.\"`\n\n...So the silver-clad knight spoke, slowly reaching into the small gap of her visor, lightly rubbing her fingertips against the surface of her closed eyes. She adjusted her helm, a single lock of her red hair descending below her brow, which she swiftly pushed aside, taking a soft stride forward.\n_ _\n\nThe knight would progress close to the Guardian, yet did not possess any sort of intent to actually attack it. As if in slight remorse, the knight slowly retrieved the discarded, white-leather sheath, which it had earlier utilized as a projectile, fastening it back at its side.\n\n`\"...I am\"` \n`\"Sorry.\"`\n\nThere was a gentler tone in her speech, and one with a slight rasp to it, as she turned slowly on her heel, pacing away from Tabby and her automata, and back toward the altar at the opposite end of the hall." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat exhales and attempts to stand up — forgetting once more that her foot is injured, which causes her to stumble and fall to her knees, prompting the Defender to walk over and pick her up, placing her back onto its shoulders. If she can't really move on her own, that would cause an extreme issue should something jump out and attack, nevermind the fact that she has expended all spell slots available. Although her infusions are strong, they are not powerful to end every situation on their own.\n\nWatching the knight walk away, the Defender's internal gears begin to shift, deploying small pushes to reset its damaged shoulder back to its original position.\n\nThe Guardian flares with Abjuration As it too, rids itself of damage taken during the scuffle, both taking Repair Actions. Tabby, being human, is unable to take such an action to repair her foot, obviously. Fucking loser.\n\nWith that out of the way, the cat simply bows her head to the warrior, not saying anything either out of frustration, or worry that it would end poorly. With that out of the way, they exit the hall and, more importantly, the church as a whole on their way back to ." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Billowing past him, an air projected by nothing more than the change in pressure between the room before and the room beyond the stone doors, carrying upon it an intense and imposing presence. The air is infused with a hallow energy, so densely so that its sheer level of clarity rings with a quiet, crystalline resonance within the ears. Briefly blinded by the sudden onset of a great, crimson light, Gaige would feel the very essence of the world changing around him, what stillness and quietude the church once afforded now overwhelmed with the passionate zeal of dominating, crimson-red sunlight. \n\n```\n☀ 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐌... ☀```\n\n*Gaige had found himself immersed in the territory of the divine.\n\nAs the hero's eyes lifted, adjusting to the new level of light, he sees what appears to be the glare of many stars above him, bound to the form of the ceiling hung high, high over his head. Hundreds-upon-hundreds of magical carvings were spread isometrically over the surface of the ceiling, each almost burning with the same, miraculous, magical nature withwhich they were infused, cascading a warmth and burden like that imposed upon one by a dying star. It was almost eerie, peering into a source of such absolute purity; the light falling upon felt as though it was weighing him down. Its nature brought ab out a resonance with the essence of a particular `Solar Miracle` engraved within his very soul. Purity. Disparity. Individuality. Like that of the Sun that Purifies.\n_ _\n\nSeparated by about five-meters' distance, two walls laid on either side of Gaige, perfectly straight, and construed of a rough, pure-white stone, extending over thirty meters to the opposite end of the room, where lies the object of his search: A large, cylindrical altar.* It, too, was constructed of the same white stone as the room it was in, though it was accented by stripes of silver, and its lower-body was reinforced with a golden-brass-like metal.\n\nBut, perhaps more definingly than all,\nWould be the imposing presence of a Knight, Clad in silver, bowed at the foot of the Altar." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "`\"You,\"`\n`\"Who dare approach the Altar...\"`\n\nThe knight takes a deep breath, as it begins to stand. Upright, its silhouette forms an imposing image — it was revealed to be over a head taller than Gaige, its silvery armor reflecting the tinges of crimson red that defined the surrounding room. In its left hand, gripped between its armored fingers, was a silver longsword with a great reach only befitting of a warrior of such a stature; and upon its back rested a sword, sealed in an ornamental holster. \n\nIt slowly turned to face the intruder, and its armor clattered as it began a slow approach toward him. Each step was slow, yet with intent; a great deal of weight lingered within each, as though some great burden rested upon its gait. Starting at the exact opposite end of the hall, it halted as it reached about the halfway point, changing its grip on the silvery-white longsword wielded within its left hand, swinging the instrument with such tremendous force that Gaige could feel the shockwave of its motion from where he stood, almost fifteen meters away. A warning.\n\n__*`\"Turn back.\"`__\n\nIt did not move from its position, merely guarding the way forward from where it stood." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "\"Hey, is that the altar?\"\n\nGaige's eyes immediately fixated to the looming figure of the knight that stood between him and his objective. He had succeeded in his goal, the altar being just ahead of him; the knight did not seem too fond of his presence however, ordering him to turn back. Of course—turning back was not an option in Gaige's mind. The hero took a few more steps forward, still maintaining a great distance between him and the knight—attempting to relay a message of defiance.\n\nGaige's head leaned to the left, looking slightly past the Silver Knight at the altar, \"Not the best way to greet someone... I think I deserve to know who you are at least. Are you a Knight of Sol?\" Gaige questioned the knight's affiliation, no longer approaching any closer, \"I'm only interested in learning more about your magicks. I was led here by a woman named Okot; she said to seek out an altar if I wanted to continue my learning. I assume that's the one in question?\" He referred to the altar that the knight was guarding, motioning towards it.\n\n\"No matter my reasons, I don't mean any harm to you or your order; I only wish to take a gander at the altar,\" Gaige took one more step forward, attempting to sway the knight to let him by—or at the very least, talk to him. The two were still a distance of ten meters from each other, Gaige wishing to stay out of their range until confirming their intentions. If it had to come down to a fight though... It was one he'd take." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nThe moment it had ascertained that Gaige did not to leave — his determination communicated clearly as he took three steps forward — the silver knight prepared for combat, its free right hand shifting as it incanted the miracle, `Solar Bulwark.`* A gleaming, light-gold manifestation of miraculous energy formed at its fingertips, a kite-shield-style bulwark forming mere centimeters from its hand. The shield suspended weightlessly, hovering at a fixed distance close to his side, it began to closer approach Gaige, the distance between the two now closing quickly.\n\nIt offered him little in terms of a response as it stepped forward, adamantly, Duty pushed it forward as much as it pushed it down, each step slow, deliberated — almost languished — and yet incredibly weighty; intentful.\n\n`\"I am a knight without order,\"`\n`\"Sworn by oath, to forbid the unworthy an approach to the Altar\"`\n`\"So to safeguard its purity.`\n\nAnswering simply, the silver knight continued in its progression forward. Golden light glittered from beyond its visor, its irises aglow with the same gilded mana that defined the structure of its bulwark. The shield at its side begins to shift, the knight offering no answer to his questio—\n\n\n\n_ _\n\n```\"I was led here by a woman named Okot\"```\n\n...It halted in its advance forward.\n\n\n\n\n\n`\"...\"`\n*`\"I do not know that name.\"`\n\n\n\n\n\nA long moment of hesitation preceded and proceeded the hero's mentioning of that name. The glint of gold past the knight's visor quieted, fizzling from a gleaming light into a subtle, ethereal glow, and its fist seemed to furl, lightly, before it released yet another great and languished breath.\n\nAnd, yet...\nStep.\nIt continued forward.\n\n`\"Turn back.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero maintained his position as the knight began to close the distance, unphased by their intensity. He had discerned this knight was likely not one of Sol, but they _did_ say they were oathbound. Gaige's attempts at diplomacy seemed to be for naught, but to his surprise, the knight halted at the mention of Okot's name. Unfortunately, it was short-lived—the knight continuing their advance post-haste. Though, they no doubt had some knowledge of who Okot was despite their denial; he had surmised this via their reaction from the mention of her name.\n\n\"...Is that so?\" Spoke Gaige, enunciating the first word. Gaige's face straightened as he held his right hand outward from him.\n\n_`\"Okaarum.\"`_\n\nThe enormous pillar of bone manifested below his hand, the hero lifting it with ease over his shoulder. He readied himself for combat, but did not make any movements toward the knight, \"You sure about this...? Despite what you say, you know who Okot is—why not enlighten me on what you know? I'm willing to have a chat. Maybe over some tea?\" Gaige made one more attempt to disengage the imminent battle.\n\n_`\"Veie Ezuek.\"`_\n\nGaige recited the same vow, an effulgent, solar shield forming around two meters in front of the hero—the knight's path being obstructed. It would appear he had no intention of turning back." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "Further attempts at diplomacy did not slow the knight's approach nor change its disposition toward the intruder. From the moment of its deep breath onward, it seemed to have determined something, marching forward, steadily, toward Gaige. His further attempt to invoke the name Okot only subtly caused its grip on its sword to tighten, though it did not bring about a greater change of its stance overall; it remained upright, its sword ready at its side, and its shield hovering, hovering some distance from its forearm. \n\nOne might say that it reacted with some surprise when it saw Gaige incant the miracle `Veie Ezuek`, and yet no discernable change of its expression could be seen. The silver helm upon its head and its thin visor hid away all but the subtle gleam of its eyes, its appearance veiled behind the cold visage of its silver armor.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nAs though matching the hero's own usage of the spell, the knight incanted it once more. Another shield appeared at their left, hovering opposite the first.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nIt grew closer, now about only five meters from Gaige and two meters from his shield. A third shield appeared ahead of the knight, the bulwark almost pressed against the intruder's own.\n\n`\"...I am oathbound to reject you.\"`\n\n_ _\nWith a simple motion of its hand, it began its assault. Its free right hand extended forward as the shield immediately ahead of it began to press strongly against Gaige's own — Threatening to dislodge it and force it back into him if he did not maintain strong focus on sustaining its current position* — while simultaneously launching the leftmost of its shields at about 85 km/h Around the clashing central shields, immediately shifting directions once it would do so, Hurtling toward Gaige's center mass from his right.\n\nThe third of its shields remained hovering at its right hand; each shield measured about 1.5 meters in width and 2 meters in height, and were created of such a potent miraculous vigor that they seemed practically unbreakable. However, a direct hit from Okaarum Could well knock one off-course." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He witnessed the knight's silent approach, them castinv Veie Ezuek twice more. The Silver Knight's usage of Veie Ezuek was an application of the incant that he did not know was possible; he had only ever been able to produce a singular shield, never multiple. Gaige's right foot slid back as he prepared for a fight against the galliant knight, his eyes staring directly into their visor.\n\n\"...That is unfortunate,\" Gaige temporarily strengthened his hold on _Veie Ezuek_, the shield clashing with the knight's own. The hero swiftly backed away from the two shields, forming a distance of around four meters. The hero's shield was capable of contending with the knight's with his increased focus, but this was still a disadvantageous situation; it was clear the armored warrior was much more experienced with the spell, needing no where near as much focus to maintain the shields. He'd need to switch up his strategy—and soon. Luckily for him, an opportunity had been created by the knight shortly after he backed away.\n\nHis gaze snapped to the second shield which wrapped around amidst the two clashing. Gaige turned to face it, readying Okaarum as it approached. With a weighty swing, the 1000 kilogram dragonbone was sent crashing into the oncoming shield from its left side, sending it greatly off-course—so much so that it was sent directly into the clashing shields. Gaige had hoped to destroy all three shields—including his own—with this action, thinking that the strength of one of the knight's own shields would be enough to break or at least damage one another. Though, he would make no follow up maneuvers afterwards, simply maintaining his distance. He needed to analyze his opponent in greater detail. Could they use the incant more? How many could they call upon at once? The hero intended to keep his distance until figuring these questions out." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The shield struck immediately rebounds as the dragonbone makes contact against its form. While such a momentous impact would likely shatter most shields of mundane construction instantaneously — even Steel — it seemingly had no effect on the overall cogency of the bulwark fashioned by such potent miraculous vitality. Still, despite its transcendent durability, the shield was still launched at high-speeds into the other two shields. \n\nPlowing through Gaige's own shield and shattering it swiftly, the bulwark almost immediately began to decelerate following the impact, as an opposite impulse was imposed upon it by the silver knight, whose hand was quickly outstretched in response to the hero's parry — almost with supernatural speed. Indeed, the knight did seem supernatural, as further proven by its following action: a potent, golden glow flickered in brilliant light at its fingertips, as it Reinforced the frontmost barrier. Gaige's barrier would be shattered easily; the knight's, however, would not.\n\n*A brilliant coruscation erupted as the two shields made impact.* Despite how much the knight's own efforts and the destruction of Gaige's own barrier had slowed down the instance of the `Solar Bulwark,` It still continued strong, impacting with tremendous force against its counterpart. An energetic shrill broke the atmosphere upon the two's impact — not quite deafening, but indeed startling — as golden light slams against golden light.\n\n*`TAP`* \n_ _\n\nBut the knight was not deterred. Neither by the tremendous light nor the irritating sound. Immediately following the two's impact, the knight took control of the situation by Instantaneously desummoning both shields, charging forth with startling speeds in the short pause following their absence. Two steps forward, and the knight had already about cleared the initial distance between itself and Gaige.\n\nIts right arm comes in, the shield hovering close to it now volleying forth as it approached point-blank, immediately threatening to strike Gaige in the abdomen and send him hurtling backward." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "\"For real...?\" Gaige watched as the two shields collided, his own shattering immediately whilst the knight's both stood—damaged, but still standing. He was almost certain that the impact would take out all three due to the sheer speed of the second shield. Though, it wasn't something he hadn't accounted for. After all, he was still testing the waters. He was surprised by the knight's quick thinking to reduce the speed of their own shield, but even more so by their next decision to Desummon Both of them. His eyebrows furrowed as he was met with the knight's alacritous advance. Gaige was able to react—barely—to the knight's approach, focusing on the shield they were preparing to strike into him.\n\n_Maybe some offense wouldn't hurt..._\n\nGaige went back on his initial plan, taking this opportunity to land a likely surprising maneuver. The knight would no doubt be able to discern the incredibly weighty nature of Gaige's weapon—it easily deflecting their shield. What they wouldn't expect would be the hero's mobility with the weapon despite its immense weight. \n\nWith little warning, Gaige *Instantly* Went into a slide without any prior momentum.\n\n*Telekinesis\n\nHe had utilized telekinesis on himself in order to gain momentum from seemingly out of no where. Even more surprisingly, Gaige was not in any form of recovery from his weighty swing of Okaarum, easily maneuvering the bone into yet another preparatory strike as he slid beneath the shield. By utilizing a mixture of his own prowess and telekinesis, one end of Okaarum was now within the palm of his right hand—his arm cocked back. With torrential speed, the dragonbone was sent directly into the chest of the extended knight in an upwards thrust. Taking this blow would likely send the knight flying back into the air, the weighty Okaarum being backed by Gaige's telekinetically enhanced strength." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The interchange took course within a time that surpassed human reactions. The bulwark soared forward with incredible speed — almost impossible for any mere human to react to at point-blank — and yet was dodged with such haste that exceeded the attack's own. The silver knight's golden-glimmering eyes did not immediately follow Gaige as he tucked low, and had only just begun to move once he was projectile forth in his slide. He was generating force independent of context; the hero defied logic, and thusly it defied the following of the knight's gaze.\n\nAn absence of impact, however, was enough to grant an immediate reaction to the knight. While, in the milliseconds-short period that Gaige crossed beneath its line-of-sight, it was unaware exactly of his current positioning, the mere fact that it had not hit him was enough for it to reach the instantaneous realization that he had dodged. And following every dodge is typically—\n\n\n—a counter-attack.\n\nIncredible reactions; spatial awareness; intuition; experience. Each of these things contributed toward the knight's surmising of the angle of Gaige's incoming attack, and, alongside a great deal of pure combatative instinct, allowed it to block. Its left hand curled inward, the tip of its blade pointed downward, as its right arm tucked in — its elbow pressing against the flat of the blade. Both were positioned such to support the silver longsword as it crossed between the weapon of dragonbone and the knight's own chest, preventing a direct impact...\n_ _\n\n...Or such had it planned.\nThe weight and speed of `Okaarum`* Pressed harshly against the knight's own strength — of which, in the moment, it was not using its fullest — quickly overpowering its guard as it was unprepared for the uncharacteristic weight of the enchanted weapon. The blocking-stance thus compresses inward, the flat of the sword pressing with great force against the knight's own breastplate, as it is then immediately sent hurtling up and backward. It had afforded itself a layer of separation between the attack and its own body, but did not parry it outright as it had intended.\n\nThe knight flips backward through the air, launched, but not without control over its own body. It controls the force of the recoil, and, not gravely or even noticeably injured by the attack, extended its right arm to its side, incanting almost immediately after it was launched:\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nA shield was formed behind itself, and the reason for its backward flip was revealed: it was positioning its legs such that it could land on the Airborne roundshield It immediately formed with the solar miracle. As its legs curl in — gravity still not yet pulling down on it due to the momentum it was imparted, its stature now angled parallel to the ground — it furled its open right hand, golden light shimmering off its fingertips.\n\n*`𝑽𝑶𝑶𝑴.`\n_ _\n\nIts own assault had begun.\nThe shield that was now positioned behind Gaige had already lowered to the ground the moment the knight ascertained where, exactly, Gaige was positioned in relativity to itself, and now with stable footing following its attack, it began an assault of its own. Almost immediately following its recovery from the recoil, the shield behind Gaige swaps directions, sweeping inward toward his back before returning straight back toward the knight with incredible speed and force.* \n\nSoon after the results of the counter-assault, the knight would slide off the shield and land upright on the ground, now about five meters from Gaige, its sword firmly in its left hand. It would then strengthen its stature, two-handing the weapon, and lowering into a refined, aggressive stance quite akin to that of the Pflug — merely a variant more fitting for one of such great height." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "A smirk came over Gaige's face the moment the knight attempted to block his offense, `Okaarum` Overpowering the knight's strength—unexpectedly to their dismay. They were sent flying back into the air, Gaige preparing to press his current advantage. He hadn't yet gauged the damage done to the knight, but perhaps he could end this quicker than expected.\n\nGaige witnessed as the knight landed atop their own shield, the hero now beginning to recover to his feet from his prone position. No matter—he still had the advantage, the knight was no doubt injured by the blow.\n\nAt least it _should've been_ he thought. The hero's smirk disappeared as he felt a gust of air behind him, the shield rapidly speeding up as it swerved back towards him. Gaige swiftly turned to face the shield,—it still being around five meters away from him—the hero jumping into the air towards the shield with a height of two meters. \n\n\n_ _\nWhilst hovering above the shield, the hero maneuvers into a twirl, violently sending `Okaarum` From his hand downward—the pillar of bone crashing into the shield with terrific force during its flight. So much that an almost two meter in diameter crater would be left behind by the sheer impact of the bone. He would thereafter land gracefully with a roll, regaining his posture and facing the knight.\n\n_Interesting stance..._\n\nGaige eyed the knight's _Pflug-like_ stance. It would seem this knight was no stranger to the blade; of course, Gaige assumed so, the mere presence of them being enough to convince him. \n\n\"You don't _gotta_ act tough, you know?\" Gaige smiled as he commented on the knight's disregard of his attack. He was unsure if his attack truly did something or not, but nevertheless, it was simply in his nature to jest during conflict. Gaige made no further actions towards the knight, awaiting their next move, the hero now being a full nine meters away from them." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "`\"...Strong.\"`\nThe knight murmured, releasing a long, costive exhale as it stabilized itself in its stance opposite Gaige. The small shimmer of its eyes beyond its visor honed, in slight, as it squinted.\n\n*`SHATTER.`\nWith resistance, but not with such a violent noise as the earlier impact of shield-against-shield had made, the instance of the solar bulwark crushed beneath the enchanted weapon shattered, glints of gold fulgurating out from underneath the dragonbone, energetic sparks scattering throughout the air like small embers of a roaring flame. The shield was shattered, instantly, in one part due to the sheer gravity of `Okaarum`,* And in another part due to the knight relinquishing their perpetuation of the miracle's strong durability.\n\n`\"...\"`\nNo response to his jesting...\n_ _\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\nTo replace the shield that the intruder had just destroyed, the knight briefly removed a hand from its firm two-handed grip in the Pflug Stance, extending it to its side as it conjured forth another translucent, golden barrier. Its form was that of a kite-shield, tapering small at the bottom, exactly identical to the three it had created earlier; however, it had already demonstrated its capacity to create alternative styles of shields in addition to these, as it had with the large roundshield that continued to persist in the air above itself. The silver knight who stood before Gaige was several times more proficient than him in the usage of the miracle, and a formidable example of its great potential in the hands of a master.\n\nIts grip on its blade is reaffirmed, yet it still maintains conscious control over the positioning of the bulwark it just summoned. The kite-shield hovers ahead of itself, angling backward such that its tapered edge faced the hero, before violently launching forth at high-speed — around 85 km/h — from a starting distance of about five meters. The knight itself following quickly behind its own projected barrier, it wound its sword back, before bursting into a Strong left-to-right swing About at Gaige's upper-chest level. It sought to immediately follow-up after forcing him to react to its weaponized barrier in an attempt to first control the positioning of `Okaarum`, searching for a strong follow-up if it could set Gaige on the backfoot." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "_`Okaarum`_ easily shattered the shield as the ground rumbled from its impact, Gaige desummoning the weapon of bone; the weapon would then be called upon once more, reappearing in the hero's hands. Despite having now destroyed one shield and heavily damaged two, the knight continued to call upon more to their side. Just how many could they summon...?\n\n\"You aren't so bad yourself,\" The hero complimented the knight in response to their comment. The dragonbone rested at the man's side as the knight launched the newly formed shield at him. The hero's right foot slid back, the pillar of bone being dragged along. Pressing his might into yet another hefty swing, _`Okaarum`_ was dragged across the stone floor—the ground tearing apart from the mere force—into a savage upward motion, aimed at the shield. Upon colliding, the hero loosed his grip on the pillar, allowing it to follow through as it knocked the shield into the air along with itself. Now unarmed, the knight pressed onward into melee range of the hero, carrying-out their horizontal sweep of the longsword.\n\nGaige had the fluidity of his every motion in mind however, his right arm now being positioned to draw the broken blade of *`EZERO`* From his back. He promptly swung the blade down to his right side, blade pointed down as he strengthened his guard with his left hand.\n\n\n_ _\nUpon connecting, the two swords would clash—Gaige likely being able to match the knight in strength with his telekinetically enhanced physicality. Gaige angled *`Ezero's`* Blade away from himself,—his torso leaning to the left—preventing the knight from easily dragging their longsword downward and following through with their sweep. Gaige would take a step inward towards the knight using his left foot.\n\n\n_ _\n\nThe two blades scraped against each other, producing a dreadful sound as sparks fell in the midst. Gaige was now mere inches away from the knight that towered over him, his gaze locking with the knight's visor. The hero's guard was lightly dropped, a steady amount of his focus being dedicated to maintaining the clash—_as well as now telekinetically controlling the airborne `Okaarum`._ \n\nThe dragonbone was sent hurtling down from the air at the knight from a distance of five meters at a speed of around 73 km/h. Not only that, but Gaige's left foot slid forward, the hero entangling his leg with the knight's right. *He planned to entrap the knight into `Okaarum's` descent.* The upwards swing, the clash, and the entangling of legs were all part of the risky maneuver. He was well aware of the danger within his plan—as well as the uncertainty—but he desired to force the knight into a disadvantageous battle from the get go. The hero was also cognizant of his proximity to _`Okaarum's`_ descent, but he had planned only to remain in close quarters until the strike was all but guaranteed. In the worst case, the silver knight would face the brunt of the dragonbone so he thought." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "Gaige had approached a step in, clearing much distance with his single stride in the lingering moment the silver knight's focus was occupied by the rusted blade. And yet, in the moment that the intruder had almost completed the motion...\n\n*`GRIP.`\n\nIt was hard even to See.* Their arm lifted up from their blade and they shifted inward, using their vastly superior range and their uncanny speed for their size to tuck their arm around the clashing blades, gripping Gaige's arm tightly before he had even fully completed his approach. The knight stepped in as did Gaige, only the two shallow guards of either of their blades preventing a lethal strike by either party. Lurching into a forward lean as they brought their helmed visage startlingly close to the warrior's own, the hero could clearly see the pale-blue hue of the real color of their eyes beyond their visor — their true luster hidden beneath the golden glow of a persisting miracle they upheld — their pale skin, and the strands of red hair loosely surrounding their brow.\n\n Did you find that blade?\"`*\nThen, `Okaarum` Descended.\n\n\n\nThe one-ton pillar of dragonbone descends upon the knight, and a great cloud of dust enshrouds the area immediately surrounding both Gaige and the space the knight once occupied, its grip now released from Gaige. There is several moments' pause as the obfuscation clears and its silvery form — or its absence thereof — would be revealed...\n\n`SHIMMER`\n_ _\n\n```\n\"𝑬𝑰𝑲𝑶𝑽.\"```\n\n—A brilliant light pierces the cloud as it begins to scatter, and there is revealed the knight, kneeling, Beneath a 2-meter diameter roundshield, its right hand outstretched above itself. `Okaarum`** Was suspended, pressed against its form — descending no further. Even the tremendous force of both the weapon itself and Gaige's telekinetic force could not overpower the sheer durability of the bulwark, though it did seem to place a great burden on the knight; it remained locked where it knelt.\n\n`\"...Perhaps you are the one.\"`\n\n`\"Eir.\"`\n\nTwo more round shields manifest in an instant, each with half the diameter of the one above the knight, one on either side of its sides.\n\n`\"Eche.\"`\n\nThey flare brilliantly with golden light, as the knight lifts its gaze to stare at Gaige.\n\n*`\"Eikov.\"`\n\nAgain, it repeated that word of incantation, as its threefold defense was complete. The two shields converged ahead of itself — preventing Gaige from following-up on its locked-down position — as it slowly began to stand, forcibly displacing `Okaarum`* Some distance back upwards with the combined force of its own, great, supernatural strength, and the impulse it imposed upon the shield above its head. Simultaneously, Both of the two shields ahead of itself launch forward toward Gaige At the same high-speeds the kite-shields did earlier. This time, however, it was their flat facing him instead of their edge, and their twofold nature would be leveraged to force him to either dodge wide around them, or to retreat entirely, the latter of which the knight sought to force of him. They would travel a total distance of five meters before halting, mid-air." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "_\"Wh...?!\"_ Without warning, the knight had also taken a step in just as Gaige did—his arm being locked in a tight grasp, one he had no hope of reacting to. His focus had been dialed in on maintaining his various usages of telekinesis, the knight's blinding speed easily blitzing him. His hazel eyes locked with the knight's pale-blue eyes, widening in surprise at the knight's decision to take a step inward. Even more baffling was their disregard for the ongoing battle, instead questioning Gaige on his possession of _`Ezero.`_\n\nTheir question would go unanswered, the knight being crushed by the weight of _`Okaarum`_. Gaige swiftly backed away a full two meters in a singular movement, emerging from the cloud of dust that the dragonbone had created; he was mere inches away from being struck by his own weapon. He stood, mouth slightly agape, watching the cloud of dust for a few moments before returning _`Ezero`_ to his makeshift sheathe upon his back. Had he won...? He truly didn't desire to outright _kill_ the knight, hoping to get a chance to reason with them.\n\n*Golden light perforated from the mass of dust.\n\nA sharp pain ran throughout the hero's mind, the telekinetically-enhanced _`Okaarum`_ beginning to raise from the dust, a shield of incandescent light overpowering its weight. Gaige's left hand rose to his head, the throbbing pain running all throughout.\n\nIt was nothing.\n\n_ _\nThe weight of _`Okaarum`_ increased to greater levels, roughly three tons of force now being applied onto the shield. To the hero's dismay, _it was only enough to equal the output of the unyielding knight._ The hero quickly became incapable of maintaining such a deadlock, the bone beginning to rise yet again.\n\n_`\"Eir.\"`_\n\nHis attention snapped back to the knight who had now summoned two shields—one to each of its sides. _`Eche.`_ The knight continued their incantation, Gaige weakening the telekinetic pressure to a greater degree as he prepared to close their distance. His gaze met with the knight's own as he unsheathed _`Ezero`_ once more, still applying pressure to the shield above the knight. _`\"Eikov.\"`_ His plan to rush the knight before its recovery was shut down, the shields moving to block his approach. The two shields then were launched at the hero, their flats blazing towards him.\n\nGaige deftly reanalyzed the situation, the telekinetic pressure upon _`Okaarum`_ being released as the weapon was desummoned. He then strengthened his own reinforcement in order to escape the five meter range of the two shields, the hero creating now eight meters of space between him and the knight in almost the blink of an eye. The throbbing pain in his head began to subside now that he had forfeited the clash between the dragonbone and the knight's shield. \n\n\"...As I said—not so bad yourself,\" Repeated the hero in a quieted tone, acknowledging the knight's strength. He reminisced back to the knight's question regarding _`Ezero`_, now having an opportunity to respond, \"I'll gladly answer your questions if you agree to put all this to rest. I think we can still reach _some_ form of understanding, right? What do you say, huh?\" Gaige offered a draw to their duel, willing to enlighten the knight with his journey throughout the Vektet in exchange for an opportunity to simply _talk_. The hero maintained his distance, awaiting an answer from the knight as they recovered from the" }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "As `Okaarum`* Relented, the knight stood fully upright. The miraculous energy at its fingertips flickered, the extreme vitality fluxing through the bulwark fading in the moment that the intruder shifted his attention away from maintaining his attack and back toward his own retreat, swinging its arm to its side — the shield following, as though bound to a position in relation to its hand — as the enchanted weapon dissipated. It took two slow paces forward toward Gaige as he was pushed back toward the entry of the hall by its two oncoming shields, forming the extra distance between the intruder and the altar as the guardian so desired. Three total shields under its control (the barrier it had earlier landed on having disappeared when it chanted) and two standing firmly between itself and him, it gazed forward toward Gaige, moving no further, as it had practically forced him back to the entry of the hall.\n\n`\"...\"`\n_ _\n\nInitially, there was no response, and one might think that the knight was simply again going to ignore Gaige. Yet, its gold-lit gaze shifting across the room — scanning over Gaige, then back up to the doors behind him, and then around its shoulder, behind itself — it bowed its head lightly, closing its eyes. A sense of enervation defined its posture as it slowly changed its grip upon the silver sword in its left hand, holding it by around midway along the blade's length, its armored hand serving as a sort of sheathe.\n\nIt sighed.\n\n`\"No matter what you offer me, I will not let you continue any further.\"`\n`\"You will leave, or I will forcibly remove you from this sanctified hall.\"`\n`\"There is no other way.\"`\n\nDespite what it had said, it was not attacking Gaige further, nor pursuing any greater offensive. He was distanced from the Altar and close to the door, and that alone was good enough to fulfill its duty. As long as he did not approach the Altar, it had no reason to attack.\n\n`\"That blade,\"` It commented. \n`\"It does not belong to you.\"`\n`\"If you are its fitting wielder, you will slay me here.\"`\n\n*`\"...Kill me,\"`\n`\"And prove yourself to worthy to approach the Altar.\"`\n\nIt was a statement and a request." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero straightened himself, rubbing his left hand against his head as he sheathed _`Ezero`_ with his right. He let out a deep sigh of his own, the weapon of bone once more appearing by his side as he lifted it to his shoulder. It would appear that—yet again—his attempts at diplomacy were for naught, the knight possessing an indomitable resolve. He recalled his first meeting with _`Kaaze`_, the Knight of Sol; he too was unwilling to listen to the hero. His gaze lifted from the floor, now staring at the warrior who opposed him. The hero steeled himself once more, taking a singular step forward towards the knight.\n\n_\"Leaving isn't something I'm willing to do,\"_ he defied the knight's initial statement for him to abscond from the Altar. His left foot moved in front of his right, another step being taken.\n\n_`\"...Kill me,\"`_\n\nThe words of the knight went through his mind, Gaige resolute in his decision.\n\n\"I suppose there's nothing more to say then.\"\n\nGaige's right arm cocked back, _`Okaarum`_ falling horizontally into position at the base of his palm. With a hearty grunt, the hero's arm pressed forward with immense ferocity.\n\n\n_ _\nThe weapon of bone was fired from the hero's body as if it were a railgun, the pillar hitting a top speed of 112 km/h. Its trajectory was aimed directly between the two effulgent shields that guarded the knight. By aiming in-between the two shields, the hero intended for the dragonbone to displace them by impacting away from their center of mass. In an ideal world, _`Okaarum`_ would overpower the shields, continuing its devastating path toward the knight whilst opening up a gap in the knight's defensive wall.\n\n_ _\nIf true, the hero would follow through with his full plan—rushing in between the displaced shields at a speed of 97 km/h, tracing _`Okaarum's`_ path. Having seen the knight's reactions first hand, he suspected they would make an attempt at avoiding the pillar; the hero decided to reveal yet another card within his deck.\n\n\n_ _\nThe hero called the chaotic flame to his side, it consuming his right arm whole. He would follow up on the dragonbone, skidding to a halt in front of the knight as he raised his right arm up to its chest, his left hand grasping the interior of his flame-imbued elbow. _`Oezuek`_ was a vow for imbuing objects or yourself with flames, but the hero had a more... _chaotic_ use for it. Gaige put forth an immense amount of mana behind the incantation, flames cackling in his palm as he attempted to release a point-blank detonation of fire in front of him. He planned to use the detonation as a way to cover any form of dodge or maneuver to avoid the barreling pillar of bone. Of course, using _`Oezuek`_ in such a way no doubt posed risk to the hero himself; he was prepared to be met with backlash from the spell." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The knight swung its arm inward. In quick succession, the singular greater roundshield, closest to its body, shifted to its vanguard as Gaige prepared his attack. It sensed the change in atmosphere — the density of the arcana behind Gaige's telekinesis — and, in turn, reciprocated in defense what strength Gaige threatened in offense. The threefold barrier of `Eir-Eche-Eikov`* Each stood strong in sequence between the guardian and the intruder.\n\nFirst impact.\nIt clove the two shields asunder, despite the increased force withwhich the silver knight maintained their emplacement. Shattering at their edges, cracks run along the cusp of both shields, golden, miraculous energy fragmenting off their broken forms.\n\n Second impact.\nThe bone crashes against the knight's vanguard. Thunder deafens the room as the surface of the shield explodes into incandescent light, scintillations of miraculous energy breaking into a turbulent flux around the knight's arm, fingers, and shield together, its prayer channeled into the energy that upheld the bulwark. Blinding light envelopes `Okaarum` And the knight, the `Solar Aegis` Rejecting the forwards push of the projectiled weapon with a deafening, celestial scream.\n\n The durability of the shield is utterly unmatched. Not a single crack forms upon its surface as its vitality is maintained perfectly amidst the thunderous clash, its form replete with such dense stellar energy that it took on a fulgent opacity. The silhouette of the silver knight disappears behind the solid barrier of light `Okaarum` Began to push forward, forcefully displacing both due to the sheer weight behind its telekinetically-propelled charge forward. Initially holding ground, the knight is quickly displaced over four meters backward by the weight of the assault, its legs skidding as it leaned in, pressing with the whole of its weight forward.\n_ _\n\n`...Now.`\n\nFollowing the impossible force of the initial impact, the knight began to shift its weight to the side. The moment the oncoming telekinetic assault would whether whatsoever would be the same moment that the knight clutched its outstretched hand, desummoning the bulwark as it allowed the pillar of bone to soar past its defense, tucking to its left to dodge the head-on force of the enchanted weapon.\n\nGaige, however, would follow soon behind.\n\nUnseen behind both the pillar of bone and the conflagration of light, the hero was already point-blank with the knight by the time it had lowere the shield. A familiar, crimson light fills its gaze as he incants `OEZUEK,` Its right arm lifting immediately in response to form a guard infront of its head. Chaotic, all-disparate energy simmers from small sparkles into brilliant crimson combustion, burning hot and tarnishing the untarnished armor of the knight. Quite simply like a bomb, the manifestation of `Oezuek` Forcefully displaces the knight even further backward — and potentially Gaige himself — but does not knock it off its feet; it slid and staggered several steps backward, yet caught itself on its backfoot.\n\nThe smoke began to clear as it lowered its guarding arm, scorchmarks running along both the gauntlet it used to block as well as its upper breastplate. \nYet the extent of damage... Is unknown. It seems to take a moment to recover and does not begin an assault immediately, taking a single, long breath that was audible despite its distance." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The explosion of flame was unleashed before Gaige, sending him skidding back across the stone floor as he violently swung his right arm—the flames of _`OEZUEUK`_ extinguishing; embers still fell from the hero's cloak as he steadied himself. Luckily for the hero, his usage of the vow on himself had protected him from the brunt of the blast—not to mention his oft use of it from his time in the forest. Dust and lingering flames obscured the hero's view of the knight as he waited with bated breath for the results of his onslaught. To his dismay, the knight still stood behind the dust, standing tall; it would seem his assault had not met his expectations.\n\n\"Seriously...?\" Gaige—now six meters away from the knight—spoke, mouth slightly agape as his eyes scanned the knight's armor. Scorch marks covered the armor, yet the knight themself did not perturbed in the slightest. That was until the hero could hear the sound of the knight's breath, giving a slight smirk. \"Tiring isn't it?\" Gaige taunted the knight yet again; since the battle had begun, Gaige hadn't yet been damaged by them and had landed numerous blows. While it was hard to tell if the hero had done anything notable to the knight, one thing was certain to him: The knight's defense wouldn't hold forever.\n\n_`Okaarum`_ was recalled to him, Gaige preparing once more to rush down the knight. It was clear they were becoming tired and on top of that, two of their shields had been broken whilst one was desummoned. With a speed of 109 km/h, the hero continued his offense as he closed the distance between the two once more. _`Okaarum`_ was removed from its resting place upon his shoulder, the hero grasping it with both hands as he unleashed a devastating Right to left swing Of the dragonbone, aimed at the knight's abdomen." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The guardian, seeing Gaige distanced, began to slowly reach for the sword within the ornamental holster on its back. Deliberating deeply, its free right hand slowly raises, fingers unfurling, as it began to outstretch toward the handle of the blade, a thin, auric presence thinly crackling between its palm and the weapon as the former grew closer to the latter. Like small sparks of flame, a strangely-familiar mana that glowed with the warmth of a golden star began to shimmer, the air around the silver knight beginning to hum...\n\n`...No.`\n`Not yet.`\n\n...Yet the knight seemed to change its mind, furling its open hand into a fist just short of actually grabbing the blade. The auric energy, in turn, flickers out of existence. Its arm lowered to its side and it squinted at the intruder, twisting its simple silver longsword in its left hand as it shifted into another traditional longsword stance — this time, a modified Alber. It wielded the blade one-handed, its other extended out at its side as it prepared for his approach.\n\n`Overwhelming force.`\n`And diverse miracles.`\n\nThe golden light projected by its glare honed upon Gaige in a squint. Upon the form of the hero, it projected the image of two other warriors it had fought in the past. First he became a great, tall, golden-brass-clad warrior, an incredibly-long and terrifyingly-heavy halberd taking the place of `Okaarum.` Overwhelming force. Then he became a simple, silver-clad knight — much like herself — who fluently wielded four miraculous incantations, a mingled crimson-and-gold star taking the place of his use of `Oezuek.` Diverse miracles.\n\nThe formative remembrances of two incredible warriors granted it guidance in the face of a new adversary.\n\n`\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎\"`\n\nIts hand remained at its side, the hero now close in his approach with itself. Miraculous energy gathered at its fingertips, yet a barrier had not yet formed.\n\n`\"𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔.\"`\n\n_ _\nJust before Gaige crossed into proper measure to attack, a full-body-sized scutum-style shield would manifest between itself and Gaige, preventing him from reaching the guardian with an attack utilizing `Okaarum,` Despite its great reach. The speed withwhich it was manifested was nearly-instantaneous, purposefully timed such that it would manifest immediately infront of him, forcing him to change directions in an instant or to impact the shield with his body head-on, the latter of which it could, remarkably, sustain, despite the momentum of his approach.\n\nWith the intent of stopping him in his tracks just ahead of the shield, the knight would begin a counter-offensive quickly after summoning the barrier, taking a powerful stride in and using its momentum to fuel the might of a full-force forward kick into the back of its own shield, simultaneously applying a strong forwards impulse to the bulwark with its freeform control over the miracle. The combined weight of the two actions would launch the shield with great power straight forward — impacting Gaige if he did not immediately tuck around it (or if he failed to stop in time to begin with) — with such force that it would carry him backward almost the entire distance of the hall.\n\nWhether the impact was successful or not, the knight would immediately incant `\"𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚎 𝙴𝚣𝚞𝚎𝚔\"` Once more: where it would create the barrier would depend on what Gaige would do in response to the initial bulwark's summoning, as well as its own ability to follow-up on Gaige's reactions. If Gaige was struck by the shield, it would immediately react by Creating a 2-meter wide rectangular barrier five meters behind him, effectively crushing him between the two shields; if he dodged within such a time reasonable for it to react to, it would simply create a defensive, small roundshield, about the size of a buckler, that would hover a short distance from its right hand." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero eyed the knight's renewed determination, taking note of the _unusual_ mana that began to emanate from them as their hand grew closer to the sheathed blade. Though—much like himself—the knight seemed reluctant to reveal their entire hand. It mattered not to Gaige—he would overcome this obstacle all the same, slaying them before they had the chance. \n\nBy now, Gaige had begun his approach, readying _`Okaarum`_ for another devastating swing. His advance however would be met with a barrier—manifested directly in front of the hero.\n\n_`...Shit.`_\n\nGaige, with immense haste, attempted to immediately swing around the shield using telekinesis, but could only stop his momentum somewhat before bashing into the shield with his shoulder. His lowered gaze returned to the knight, their armored boot colliding with the shield and sending it—and Gaige—hurtling backwards. The hero—stuck to the face of the shield—heard the chant of the knight, sensing the convergence of mana behind him: another shield. They sought to crush the hero between the two shields, a tactic that he _would_ likely survive, but not without injuries; injuries that Gaige would rather avoid.\n\n_ _\nUsing telekinesis, _`Okaarum`_—the dragonbone resting upon the floor where he was initially struck—was sent flying into the second shield that had manifested behind him at a speed of 86 km/h, likely destroying it. Afterwards, the hero would eventually free himself of the initial shield, now being almost the entire hall's length away from the knight.\n\nGaige regained his balance, standing tall and relatively unphased by the knight's counter-offensive, albeit surprised by just how far he had been sent. Despite everything, it was hard to tell if either the knight or Gaige had made any progress on one another, both of them still having unseen abilities and fighting at full strength.\n\n_`\"Square one, huh?\"`_ Gaige shouted, commenting on the state of the battle. He rolled his right shoulder—slightly sore from the impact with the shield.\n_`\"...And it doesn't seem either of us have shown everything.\"`_\n_`\"I'll play another of my cards then.\"`_\n\nThe hero called upon _`Okaarum`_ to his side, it resting on one of its flat ends. Whispering under his breath, the hero placed his hand against the side of the pillar.\n\n_`\"Okaarum—second iteration.\"`_\n\nFor the first time in the battle, the weighty bone began to crack, pieces of it beginning to fall to the floor as a new weapon was revealed inside its outer shell: a spear. It measured a length of 223 centimeters, the hero grasping it with his right hand. He raised the weapon, flourishing it to his side.\n\n_`\"Haven't really used this thing too much... Take it easy on me, alright?\"`_ The hero jokingly spoke of his inexperience with the spear, but such was far from the truth; his deft movements with the spear were not that of someone ill experienced.\n\n_ _\nThe hero took a deep breath, the cold air of the church exhaling from his lungs as he changed his grip on the spear. He raised it above his shoulder as though it were a javelin, cocking back his right arm. It was clear to see that his intention was to launch _`Okaarum`_, the knight having ample time to react and prepare from afar. The hero did not appear concerned about his lengthy preparation however, his grip upon the spear tightening as he took a great stride forward with his left foot. Violently, his right arm shot forth, his grip upon the spear releasing. Although the knight had time to prepare, the sheer speed of the spear would perhaps come as a surprise to them, it traveling at a remarkable 234 km/h—doubling that and more of a professional athlete's javelin toss. Gaige's lack of a sprinting start could also be seen as surprising, such speed being attained without one. Its velocity could be attributed to Gaige's own physical prowess and the use of Telekinesis Upon the spear itself, it seeming to target the knight's left shoulder, aiming with pinpoint precision towards any gaps in its armor." }, { "author": "Silver Knight", "message": "The guardian of the Altar relented from its continuing assault the moment that Gaige reached that same place it kept forcing him back to — the very entrance of the hall, where the hero had returned to the towering height of the great stone doors he had entered from. The shimmer of its gold-hued gaze was filled with an incisive scrutiny, yet it would progress no further from where it stood, for, as long as the intruder was not openly in approach of the Altar, its purpose in pursuing the extension of its attack was lost — it was fulfilling its obligations, no more and no less. That overbearing sense of duty that hung from the shoulders of the knight bore a close resemblance to that of a warrior Gaige had earlier met, conversed with, and defeated: *Kaaze, the Guardian of the Ground Gate.* And in like manner to that warrior, even if it would put it at a disadvantage to do so, the knight would hold resolute in maintaining its forestalling position toward the center of the long hall.\n\nNeither he, Kaaze, nor the knight standing before Gaige, ever held any ill will toward him; they were merely fulfilling their respective duties, absolute and eternal.\nAnd just like him, this guardian's duty felt most like a burdensome shackle, weighing heavily on its neck.\n\nIt had remained here for a hundred years.\nIt would remain here for a thousand more.\n_ _\n\nThe shield behind him shattered and the shield ahead of him faded away. It paced perpendicular to Gaige, realigning itself with the center of the hall, deliberate with its long strides, the golden gleam of its gaze still fixed upon the outsider. It spoke nothing in response to Gaige as he prepared his attack, and yet the golden light of its eyes was filled with an expectant gleam — a sense of anticipation, perhaps —, for once defying the unfeeling and stoic nature of its guardianship. The languished breaths it earlier released in its whispered distress now rose from its lungs having taken a new form, released slowly, calmly, yet evidencing the birth of a renewed animation.\n\n_ _\n`\"...Show me...\"`\n\nIt murmured and made the first half of another request voiced, its hand rising and its armor softly clattering with the changing of its stance, one hand outstretched far forward toward Gaige as he, oppositely, reeled back, wielding that spear of stripped dragonbone — that enchanted weapon, `Okaarum.` It had already seen the destructive capability that the weapon could unleash, and thusly prepared a defense with a proportional effort of its own.\n\nA golden, circular barrier — a spectral greatshield — of three-meters' diameter appeared about halfway between itself and Gaige.\n`\"Eir.\"`\n\nA second barrier — a roundshield — appeared about a half of the distance between itself and the greatshield, roughly a meter smaller in diameter than the first.\n`\"Eche.\"`\n\nA third barrier — a buckler of a diameter no greater than its handsbreadth — shimmered forth at the fingertips of its right hand.\n__*`\"Eikov.\"`__\n\nThe last of the manifestations happened as the hero spoke of his inexperience. The guardian was not amused with his frivolity, but the sheer essence of his Strength* Had taken its interest.\n`\"...Show me that you are the one...\"`\n\nThen, the spear split the atmosphere like lightning.\n\n*SHATTER\nCRACK⸻\n HUMM...\n_ _\n\nA small and complete circle — a perfect entry and exit hole — pierced through the center of the first barrier without spectacle.\nThe second offered some resistance, rapidly cracking across its surface in the exceedingly short-lived period of time the spear pressed against its surface, before completely shattering into scintillating shards of miraculous energy.\nThe third and final barrier hummed. Lifting its hand with the barrier still manipulated in its clutch, it had brought the buckler into the trajectory of the spear, stopping the attack in its tracks. Radiant energy scattered from the site of impact, the room caught blind amidst a violent surge of light, the holy cry of the shield screeching in a similarly-deafening cry. It was blocking the progression of the spear, impossible as that seemed—\n\n` SHHH⸻TKCH⸻CLKSCH `\n\nA sound like a crystal shattering, then metal deforming, finally followed by the wet squelch of a sharp instrument piercing flesh.\n\nThe broken barrier was still disintegrating at its fingertips. When the light cleared amidst the embers of miraculous life, the spear's form was revealed — dyed crimson, at its tip, trapped amidst broken links of the shattered silver mail of the knight's gauntlet. About forty centimeters of its length extended through its impaled palm, the tip of the spear hovered just before the side of its helm, its fingertips curling around the shaft of the weapon to suspend its further movement.\nThe spear had broken its defense.* The attack had hit — perhaps not its target and perhaps not as efficaciously as intended — but, it hit.\n\n*`\"𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐚 𝐄𝐳𝐮𝐞𝐤.\"`\n_ _\n\nGaige's telekinesis may have threatened to further press the spear through its transfixed palm, but all control over the enchanted weapon would be lost in the moment those words of incantation were uttered. A potent, purifying aura engulfed the body of the knight and the flow of its blood, running along the dragonbone weapon — this was `Quetaa Ezuek, the Sun of Purity.`* It epitomized `Disparity` through individuality, completely severing all external influences whether they were of miraculous or magical origins. This included the effects of Gaige's telekinesis, an application earlier proven in his bout against Kaaze.\n\n`\"...I see.\"`\n`\"You are capable.\"`\n`\"...Capable of attempting at my life.\"`\n`\"Then, I will grant you the greatest honor I know.\"`\n\nIts silver blade clatters from the grip of its left hand, as it furls its opened fingers about the length of the dragonbone spear. It began to dislodge the weapon from its wound, the outflow of its blood increasing in quickened spurts that mottled the off-white of the dragonbone, fully releasing it from its impaled position and holding the weapon in one hand, as though disregarding its supernatural weight.\n\n*`CRASH!`\n\n`Okaarum`* Fell momentously to the floor, released from its grip, and yet the effects of the miracle it incanted had not faded. The very same blood it spilt upon the weapon — that which seethed with the heat of the vow it had incanted — perpetuated the existence of the miracle, continuing its effects: an intentional choice preventing the intruder from retrieving his weapon.\n\n__*`\"A true battle to the death, employing the whole of my might.\"`__\n_ _\n\n```diff\n- ☀ \"𝑶𝑬𝒁𝑼𝑬𝑲.\" ☀ -```\n\n_ _\nFire — crimson fire, disparate and all-burning — roused violently in a terrifying flame that engulfed its right arm, its form fueled by an energy that allowed the tongue of fire to extend to a flickering height of over five meters aloft from the shoulder of its arm, where it spread no further across its body. Imbuing its own body with the miracle of `Solar Imbuement`* — *`the Sun that Destroys`* — the knight once more copied a move that the hero had earlier seen used by *Kaaze, preparing⸻\n\n`STOMP`\n\nA cloud of dust burst from beneath the right foot of the knight.\nThen, in the next second,\nIt was standing before Gaige.\n\nMomentous force and ridiculous speed fueled a supernatural swing of its burning, bleeding fist as it took a simple, but devastating unarmed swing directly for his chest.\n\nGaige is launched to Floor 2 by the impact of the punch.\n\nGaige is punched so hard he lands inside Residence Caerellia.\n\nGaige gets hit so hard he is launched to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "I'm really angry now.\n\nTherefore I'm taking it out on you.\n\nThe ancient dragon somber stone was already looted" }, { "author": "Kelton Thackere", "message": "While Gaige is getting jumped by the Silver Knight, he hears a `BWWWWWWWWWWWR`* Behind him.\n\n```diff\n- \"NIHIL\"\n- \"NIHIL\"\n- \"NIHIIIIL!\"```" } ]	438	39,432
367.103448	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "Deep, far, and lost within the First Floor of the Vektet, there lies a hidden forest within a hidden forest; an unseen land where the blue root grows rampantly, its location hidden where no normal man has ever traversed before." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "*The blue glow fades, and Gaige finds himself in a land of the unknown.\n\nWhile it certainly felt like he remained on the First Floor, the environment was all-so different from even the strange forest he had witnessed before. Trees stretched to towering heights, raveled about by the familiar form of the growing, entwining, and corrupting form of the blue root, reconfiguring their construction from the top-to-bottom. Instead of green leaves that sought sunlight, there were glowing, blue leaves, reflecting the nature of the root itself, dominating the atmosphere of the surrounding region in a powerful, azure glow.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Now, we can speak more freely, seeker of the Divine Root's secrets.\" ]```\n\nThe man spoke, dismounting the alien form of his trusty steed, stepping foot on the silver-y grass that covered the ground of the Hidden Forest. Some distance ahead of him, a Recondite shed was founded,* With a very basic design and a most humble size.\n\n```ini\n[ \"I am the Root-Tender known as Roqaa-Che. But, you can just call me Che, if it fits better!\" ]```\n\nChe spoke politely, with a laugh. Approaching the small hut, he laid his right hand on its doorframe, pushing it open and entering, motioning for Gaige to follow-after." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Having shut his eyes during the teleportation, upon opening them, he found himself enclosed by An even larger forest. He took in the scenery, finding a certain beauty within its azure corruption. His outlook on the blue root had begun to expand. Perhaps it wasn't just an infestation. This archer's existence was proof, _there was something more to it._ His gaze affixed back to the archer as they dismounted. Despite having no sense of where he was, the hero was given an impression of tranquility inside this rooted forest. Gaige dismounted from the beast, following the archer from a slight distance behind.\n\n\"Sure thing, Che. I go by Gaige. I'm no more than an explorer of your lands.\" He warmly introduced himself, gazing upon the shed that awaited in the distance. Despite its basic design, Gaige found the hut to be a cozy abode. He followed Che inside, releasing his telekinetic hold upon the broken blade and carrying it within his left hand." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "Upon entry to the abode, he'd find that it wasn't warmed in any way — as was for the outside, it persisted in the strange, hollow chill that seemed to accompany the presence of the blue root, as he had observed twice before. Alongside the general lack of heat, the hut was also slightly lacking in any furnishings — there was no fireplace, no bed, and no place where food was prepared or stored. Instead, there was simply a few chairs, a table, and what appeared to be a drying-rack for herbs, as well as a single place in which it seemed that herbs were minced, mixed, and brewed into liquids. Light was supplied solely by the glow of the azure-corrupted forest outside the hut, whose ever-present, cold light peered through clean slits in the walls, forming its windows.\n\nChe was a modest man, and so his hut's accompaniments would be modest, as well. It was a compact place, yet not lacking of space, for he had little-to-no-need for either modernity or even Sleep, For that matter. \n\nSeating himself in one of the wooden chairs of the hut — which, too, was built in a strangely helixed manner, akin to the arrows that Gaige had seen the man shoot — Che invites him to take a seat, speaking:\n\n```ini\n[ \"Gaige, hmm? And an explorer...\" ]```\n\nHe tilted his head at the statement, as if it was slightly strange. However, as so not to be rude, he simply gave a nod, and continued.\n\n```ini\n[ \"I understand. I took you as an apprentice of the Knights of Sol.\" ]\n[ \"That is odd, though...\" ]\n[ \"...Say, how did you come into possession of that blade, if you don't mind my asking?\" ]```\n\nChe questioned, folding his legs. He made himself comfortable in his chair. While he did say he'd answer some of Gaige's questions, he also certainly prefaced it as a Conversation. Certainly, a conversation should be fruitful for Che, himself, right?" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero followed the root-infested man into his home, taking a gander at the interior that now surrounded him. The cozy hut fitted Gaige's likings, the man preferring things not to be too grandiose. Though, maybe this place was a bit _too_ barren. Furnishments were a thing of the past to this man it'd seem, Gaige leaning over to grab a chair, pulling it over opposite of the man, taking his seat in it. It could be well possible this man lived off the herbs of the forest alone, but the lack of any tools for food preparation caught the hero off-guard to say the least. He leaned the broken sword against his chair, finally getting a break from carrying it around—even if only for a moment. With a sigh of relief, the cold chill of the hut ran across his body, Gaige's zoning out being interrupted by the voice of Che.\n\n\"You'd be right. Nothing more, nothing less.\" He didn't wish to introduce himself as a hero to this man, instead choosing to take a modest approach. \"An apprentice to the Knights of Sol? Could've been I suppose, but they don't take too nice to visitors.\" He jested, his eyes affixing to the blade as Che continued, \"Ah—this? I'm a user of the _Sun of Reversion_, if you know of it. Came across a statue with the blade within its grasp. The prayer released the blade, and so I took it as the one who freed it.\" He gave him a straight answer, telling no lies. \"And with that, I'd like to ask a question as well.\" He adjusted his cloak, his eyes meeting Che's, \"You said you'd let me in on the nature of the blue root? What exactly _is_ the root in that case?\" He inquired of the hunter, waiting for his response." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "```ini\n[ \"The Sun of Reversion? Well, I can't say that I've ever heard of it before...\" ]```\n\nChe looked slightly puzzled by the process through which Gaige explained he acquired the aged, shattered blade. While the root-tender could recognize the nature and identity of the artifact from a mere glance, having encountered its wielder once before in the past, the means by which Gaige had acquired the blade from the Embrace of Sol was an entirely foreign concept. The nature of his response was confusing, and the mentioning of the 'Sun of Reversion' was Especially Confusing. Perhaps this strange explorer held more secrets than Che did, himself.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Ah, right. The Divine Root. I did promise answers to that, didn't I?\" ]```\n\nHe chuckled, briefly brushing his fingertips against the abnormal growths of blue roots that protruded from his face, replacing the general location of his eyes. Coiling and curling upwards, the root-growths glowed with that same, familiar, blue glow. If anyone knew the secrets of the Divine Root, it must've been someone like Che.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"The blue root — or, preferably, the Divine Root — is a hallowed entity. It is currently present on every floor of the Ark <ᴠᴇᴋᴛᴇᴛ>, and has, in a figurative sense, served as its 'root'; its very essence, in a way.\"```\n\n...So he spoke, the RASWALT system briefly interjecting the word Vektet into his sentence. The word Vektet had a unique meaning in-it-of-itself, yet the usage would be akin to the nature of the Ark — a ship designed in a tale that just about anybody would be familiar with.\n\n```ini\n[ \"The Ark would not be what it is without the Divine Root. A fable is descended to all Root-Keepers: many, many hundreds of years ago, the Taae Cheit Ezer, lord of the Arue, constructed a grand vessel to support all manner of disparate life on one, une vessel. To do so, he called upon the deific entity of the Veirok — a blue tree sprung from the hopes and faith of all mankind. The Divine Roots of the Veirok, through a sanctified rite, were grafted into the Ark, and gave the vessel form.\" ]\n\n[ \"The Divine Root is what grants the Ark structure and ability. Without the Divine Root, the disparate forms of life on the Ark could not coexist, and life as it is known would fail. That is why my people — Root-Keepers, of the Fourth Floor — exist. We tend to the Divine Root so it may flourish throughout the Ark.\" ]```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He was surprised the root-keeper hadn't heard of the prayer, it seeming to be a prevalent topic in this structure. The man found it slightly unusual that the archer knew of the blade, but not the prayer... But he digressed. Che prepared to divulge the secrets that surrounded the effervescent blue root, the man listening with intent.\n\nImmediately into his explanation of the 'Divine Root', his RASWALT system flared up, 'the Ark' being interpreted as 'Vektet'. It could be assumed the two were one in the same, the system making things easy on the hero fortunately. He leaned back in the spiral root chair, processing information as Che revealed more.\n\n`So the Ezer is the true lord of this structure from what I've gathered. They lead the Arue, who in turn made the 'Arue Arcana' which I partially use in the form of prayers...` The man thought to himself as the archer continued his explanation. This information gave him a fair bit of solidity upon the lore of this land in reference to the lord. For his primary question, the answer he extracted from Che served perfectly. The root came into being due to the actions of the Ezer in order to create the Vektet, or Ark. If the root were to die, the Vektet would collapse as well. A strange world he had found himself in, indeed.\n\nHe took a deep breath as he took all the new information in, his head snapping back as the door slowly opened.\n\nCrrrreaaakkkkk\n\nThe door opened with the sound of chalk upon a board, an _unknown man_ entering through it. With an appearance similar to that of the hero, he wore a grey cloak, draped over his left shoulder and clipped at his right. Underneath, garments of the night covered his body, a brown pouch and satchel dangling from his waist with the support of a bandolier. The man's black hair took on a blue tint from the effulgent glow of the roots. In his hands, a basket of various herbs and plants rested inside." }, { "author": "???", "message": "\"Che, can you check these her-\" The black haired man spoke before being interrupted by the sight of Gaige. \"A... Human?\" He stared in absolute dismay at the hero, gazing away and setting the basket of herbs down on the floor. He gently rubbed his eyes, rapidly blinking them whilst staring at the hero. \"Hey, this guy's real right, Che? Or have I been here too long for my own good already?\" Examining the face of the man in the shed, he awaited a response from Che." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He watched the man in silence, scrutinizing every detail about him. `He wasn't with the mercenaries... Does he live here? Is he part of another mercenary team? Is he after me?` Questions ran through the hero's head, but he did not show any signs of hostility towards the stranger; after all, the stranger did seem to know who Che was." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "Che swiftly turned to the door as it opened. He had been expecting someone to return for sometime; however, for him to return at this particular moment was something of a shock. His timing couldn't have been better... Or worse, maybe? It honestly depended on how this strange man who identified himself as an explorer would take to the presence of another one of the so-called 'mercenaries' who had taken to invading the Vektet; apparently, the explorer had a falling-out with their group, considering how he was being chased by one of their members in the forest. Che intertwined his fingers together, choosing not to comment on such circumstances until he had confirmed their affiliation, one way or another. Were it to escalate, he would step in. Until then, however, he would simply oversee.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Oh, no, I assure you, he is very real.\" ]```\n\nThe root-keeper spoke, nodding his head towards the black-haired, grey-cloaked man who entered the building. While his initial question had been interrupted, Che took note of the herbs in his hands, and identified them one-by-one in the blink of an eye...\n\n```ini\n[ \"Hmm, you'd ought to throw away those green-patched bulbs. They may appear nutritious, but are, in reality, horribly diuretic.\" ]\n[ \"Those biennials are good to eat, raw, if you wash them, and those red herbs you have are fine to eat, as well.\" ]```\n\nChe commented, before offering up a chair.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Come, take a seat. You should introduce yourself to the visitor. I assume he is of your world, if appearances do not deceive.\" ]```\n\nNow was the moment of truth. He hoped for no signs of hostility — both of the two individuals should already understand that he wished for no more than peace in the forest." }, { "author": "???", "message": "\"...Huh.\" He grasped the basket, lifting it from the ground. He approached the table, taking a seat in the chair that Che offered him. He as well examined the basket with Che coetaneously, seeing if he could spot any mistakes he had made in his foraging. Sadly, he was incapable, Che having to sort out the healthy herbs from the bad. He'd definitely been improving his skill in discerning flora, but was still a novice. \"Really? Green usually means good where I come from. Ah well.\" He reached over beyond the back of his chair, grabbing a separate bowl. The man picked out the green bulbs, isolating them from the healthy herbs. He'd throw them out eventually, but for now he had to make an introduction to their visitor." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "_ _\n\"Right, name's Foster. Although, you can just call me by Fost.\" He gave a warm smile. Seemed that he picked up more than just foraging from the hunter. \"I'm from an earlier team of mercenaries. Shit hit the fan real fast when we entered. We weren't warned of a damn ambush. Either way, our healer got killed off the bat. Didn't even get a chance to take in the surroundings.\" He reminisced on the brutal battle that took place for his team at the _Embrace of Sol_. \n\n\"Magic guy—Tyrel I think—tried to plead with the knights. Tried to get on their good side—even offered to kill us for their favor! Sad fool got cut down, knight's didn't even wanna give 'em the light of day. For the rest of 'em, I can only assume they met the same fate.\" He didn't appear particularly remorseful for the late mercenaries, but such was the nature of a hardened soldier of fortune. \"Me? Tch—call it cowardly if you want, but I call it _surviving_. I fled. With the way things were going, I knew the rest of us would have no chance. I called it quits, heading up the stairs and out that strange door.\" He chuckled, having no shame in his actions. \n\n\"After a bit of running, I found myself in this forest. Well—not this exact one. Eventually found Che here who brought me to his shed. Taught me to survive in this place, so I've been doing well for myself.\" He leaned back in the chair, gazing up at the ceiling in thought. \"Mmmm, that's about all there is to my story. I can only assume you're a mercenary as well though. If you're here, did a successful party come through?! About time I start trying to get outta here.\"" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He stared at the mercenary for a few seconds before gazing down at the table, \"No, I'm no mercenary—just an explorer. If you wanna regroup with your friends from Odysseus, try heading towards the village if you know where that is. They're probably on their way there. Good luck if you're heading out, Foster.\" Despite his disposition towards mercenaries, he showed a bit of compassion just this once." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "\"Looks like I was interrupting you two anyways.\" He stood from his seat, stowing away the herbs inside his satchel. It was weird that another human was here—one not from Odysseus, but it wasn't his business to question the man. He adjusted his garb and sheathe, confirming he had all his belongings. \"Wish we could talk longer, but I don't wanna risk missing them. I'm sure you understand my situation.\" He approached the door giving a wave to the two, \"Thanks for telling me where they were headed...\" He awaited a name from the hero.\n\n. . .\n\nThere was no response.\n\n\"...Sure. Hope we'll see each other again sometime, Che. Thank you as well for teaching me about the Ark. I'll be sure to put it all to good use. Safe travels to you both.\" The door opened with that same creaking noise, Foster taking his leave from the shed. He knew his way around the forest luckily thanks to the teachings of Che, direction not being an issue for him. His next destination would be the village that awaited a distance from the tower." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "A sigh was released into the atmosphere of the shed, Gaige turning back to Che as the door shut, \"It's your turn to ask a question if that's how we're doing things.\" Gaige spoke, disregarding the mercenary's leave." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "Che put a finger to his chin as he observed the two briefly converse. Fortunately, it seemed there was no ill will between the two; Che was wary that they might quarrel, but it seemed that they were each reasonable men. That was more that could be said for many of the people who live within the Vektet, and the many people from a bygone age who once attempted to invade it. Reminiscence aside, Che gave his approval towards the two as Foster explained his story, continuing to remain silent as he spoke.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Oh, heading out?\" ]\n[ \"I see. It was delightful to have you, but this will likely be the last we see of eachother. Farewell, and good luck!\" ]```\n\nThe root-keeper gave a smile and a wave as Foster left suddenly. Understanding of his circumstances — for the man from outside the Vektet most likely did not wish to stay idle on the First floor any longer — Che would give no contention to the man's departure. He had already taught him most of what he needed to know to survive in the forest, as well as how to traverse the slightly precarious way by which one had to take to leave the azure forest, hidden somewhere within the depths of the First Floor. He wouldn't be far from the village once he left, and could rendezvous with the people of his own land once again. It was sad to regretful to see one of the few visitors he'd ever have leave, but Che was an understanding man. \n\nReturning his view to Gaige, Che nodded.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Ah, a question...\" ]\n[ \"Well, I can't say that there aren't, at least, a few things that pique my curiosity.\"\n[ \"Gaige, you said... Would you mind explaining to me the nature of this 'Sun of Reversion' you speak of? I'm familiar with the Prayers of the Knights of Sol, but not that one, particularly.\"```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige thought to himself in silence for a moment, ruminating on whether or not to give an honest answer. Che so far has proven to him that they mean no harm to him though. They've also been _seemingly_ honest in their answers and actions. \"Hm, I thought it'd be regarded quite highly in this land, but maybe its more of an unknown prayer. From what I know, the Sun of Reversion is only known by two people: myself, and the Eclipse Guardian, Ukue.\" He paused in his explanation, crossing his legs.\n\n\"In my exploration, I found notes left by Ukue; they said that he would one day return to floor one, possessing a greater knowledge of the Sun of Reversion in order to punish those he considers traitors. Of course—I can only imagine my aptitude with the Sun of Reversion pales in comparison to the Eclipse Guardian's.\" He breathed, revealing all he had learned about the prayer to the hunter. \"For what it does... The journal I found described it as, 'restoring a tarnished object to its former glory'. After having used it, I believe it to be a prayer that Restores the object by rewinding time. Now, I've found no information regarding whether or not my theory is true, but I felt a certain aspect of _timelessness_ as I casted it.\" He finished his elaboration on the Sun of Reversion, hopefully having answered the hunter's question.\n\n\"Though, I do need to get going soon as well, Che. I'd like the answers to two more questions though if you'd be so kind.\" He requested of the hunter, asking his queries, \"Firstly, do you know anything on the whereabouts of Ukue's Heir? I mean no harm to them, but I do want to speak with them. And secondly, how does one reach the second floor? I assume you'd know, seeing as you know the roots exist on later floors.\" He awaited a response from Che." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "```ini\n[ \"Time-lessness? I understand. That is a most strange concept, but it does bring memories of the nature of the Veirok. A spell that works in a way akin to that shouldn't be impossible...\" ]\n\n[ \"It appears you are in possession of quite the unique Prayer of Sol. It is most dissimilar to that which I have seen the Knights of Sol incant. Further more, you are no descendant or apprentice of a Knight of Sol in the first place... No matter. We all have some quite outlandish stories to tell, it seems.\" ]```\n\nChe appeared thoroughly perplexed as Gaige continued through his explanation of a prayer and effect whose likeness he hadn't once had the pleasure of encountering. Restoring a tarnished object to its former glory, through the manipulation of time, itself? It almost seemed too ludicrous to even believe! Yet Che knew better than to disregard such words as a mere fable. He had seen and practiced things of equal abnormality, himself, and Gaige wielded a blade whose nature revealed all he needed to know on the matter of his words' truthfulness. Indeed, one who held That blade, A blade of almost hostile purity, could not do so if frivolous fibbing were in their nature.\n\nWith a subtle shrug, he moved on from the topic. These were thoughts to mull over; however, in the moment, there were some things that the root-tender must acknowledge that he cannot immediately understand. Gaige proceeded to shoot back a topic to Che, and he seemed to slightly, disappointedly tilt his head downwards as Gaige spoke that he was soon to leave, yet remained attentive to his next two questions nonetheless. Che didn't mind answering all the questions Gaige had, even if he were not to offer up answers to all of his own questions, likewise.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Ukue's heir?\" ]```\n\nChe placed his hand to his chin, apparently deep in thought.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"No, I'm afraid not.\" ]\n[ \"The name resonates familiarly within my mind, however. Ukue, the Eclipse Guardian, I am familiar with. I am also familiar with the ruminations of the Knights of Sol, and how they once hypothesized that Ukue had child in his unspoken marriage, during his time on the First Floor.\" ]\n\n[ \"But... Beyond that, I am unaware of this proposed heir's nature. It is very possible that they exist; but I am unaware of where they would be, if they remained on the First Floor.\" ]\n\n[ \"Ukue is known to have climbed to the Second Floor for one reason or another. If he truly did have a heir, it's also entirely possible that he fled the First Floor with them in tow.]\n\nChe interrupted his own wordy speech then and there, shaking his head.\n\n [ \"—Oh, my apologies. I digress. You aren't looking for my theories, just a straight answer. I'm sorry, but I do not know of this heir's whereabouts.\" ]\n\nHe paused, then continued on to answer Gaige's second question.\n\n[ \"Indeed. I am most familiar with floors beyond the First. I have visited all of them, though only once, as I determined it was most appropriate to make my residence here.\" ]\n\n[ \"The path to the Second Floor is quite as simple as you might expect. I'm certain that you saw that towering structure in the distance, enshrined by the Divine Root that descends from the sky above. That tower, indeed, is the Rise to the Second Floor.\" ]\n\n[ \"Though, you may find some trouble traversing beyond its gates... It appears as though the Divine Root, itself, has chosen to seal passage to the Second Floor. Its azure growth has sealed the structure tightly shut, so I'm afraid you may have some trouble getting in.\" ]```\n_ _\n\nHe finished, folding his arms. He opened his mouth and briefly inhaled, as if prepared to ask Gaige a question, yet stops himself before he does. Che respected the fact that the man was likely short on time, and thus would not bother him with the manifold, whimsical questions that he well-could rattle his mind with. The root-keeper had already acquired the few answers he truly wanted, anyway." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath as he processed what Che had told him. Etra had spoken of the second tower—that a terrible presence loomed near it. That same tower would appear to be the way forward according to the root-keeper. Unfortunately, he only knew a disturbing aura emanated from the tower, not the full strength of it. The Divine Root supposedly denied entry to the second floor as well; if its properties matched that of the root he found in the cave, it wouldn't prove difficult to get past. _Only the presence would be an issue;_ that and the mercenaries indubitably. He sighed, `That's right... The mercenaries.` He hadn't considered them too much, but it'd be a thorn in his side to have to deal with them at the village. Maybe it'd be best to stay a while longer... And do what though?\n\nThe heir was another focus of the hero, but the root-keeper regrettably knew nothing. The heir was not on the second floor—Gaige knew this from the notes in the cave. Logically speaking, the heir could only be in one of two places from what he'd seen of this floor: the _forest_, or the _village_. Finding her in the forest would be an annoying task, but he'd be able to avoid the mercenaries for now then. There was no true rush after all. Reaching a conclusion, the hero decided he would explore the forest in search of Ukue's heir. The Desecrated would serve as good practice for him in the meantime.\n\nThe man leaned back in, \"Your theories were realistic, but I already know the heir is somewhere on the first floor from my journey through the Vektet. Your honesty is appreciated, Che.\" He thanked the root-keeper. \"As for the tower, I don't believe I'll be heading there yet. I'd rather not run into those mercenaries; don't think they're very fond of me.\" He chuckled, sitting in silence as Che prepared to say something, but the root-keeper said naught. \"Mm? Go ahead. I'm not in that much of a rush.\" He encouraged the hunter to ask his question, awaiting it." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "```ini\n[ \"Ah! No rush, then? I understand. I have just a few things I'd like to probe your mind about...\" ]```\n\nChe smiled lightly as he heard Gaige's latter statement, briefly standing from his seated position. Unholstering his bow, his quiver, and the cloak flowing over his shoulders, he laid his weapon on a rack opposite to the chairs that he had set within the center of the shed. Making himself comfortable, he hung up his cloak on a rack alongside what appeared to be a few odd trinkets: a pair of bracelets made purely of what appeared to be silvered wood, and an earring, or something along the likes. Stretching, Che paced back towards Gaige, seating himself opposite him oncemore.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Now, I don't intend to pry...\" ]\n[ \"...But, it's been made clear to me that you are from beyond the Ground Gate, no...? So too are these 'mercenaries' you have referred to. That young man, Foster, told me some about their nature, during his stay. I haven't an idea why they would pursue you, however. Is it not true that you are simply an explorer?\" ]\n\n[ \"So... That is to say... What are your relations with this party of mercenaries...? Why were they pursuing you through the forest?\" ]```\n\nHe questioned. Che wanted to remain slightly delicate about the matter, in the case that it was a sensitive topic for Gaige, yet would voice it nonetheless. Seeing as he did not wish to rush out into the forest immediately, he presumed that he had some time to kill. A question or two of this nature couldn't hurt, right?\n\n```ini\n[ \"And, if you possess the answer to this: precisely what are their goals, if you don't mind my asking?\" ]\n\nChe placed a finger to his chin, whispering:\n\n[ \"...I hope they are not born of an intent to harm the delicate balance which is held in the Exile's Watch...\" ]```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero watched as Che abandoned his weapons and hung his cloak on a rack. Gaige took notice of the bracelets, but paid them no mind. They weren't his after all. Upon the root-keepers return, Gaige gave a cordial smile, \"Feel free to ask away!\" He spoke, intent on returning the root-keeper's hospitality with answers.\n\nGaige emitted a drawn out exhale, thinking in silence after the root-keeper had asked his question. Eventually, an answer was released from the man: _a shrug._ \"Dunno really. Saw them for the first time _outside_ of the Vektet. They're employed by some 'Odysseus Corporation'—real shady business.\" He chuckled, pondering the foolishness of mercenaries, \"Anywho, I snuck into the Vektet with the help of a man who wears a gas-mask. If I had to guess, their employer is angered by my trespassing; therefore, they want me dead.\" He answered the man's first question, his stomach grumbling lightly afterwards. He hadn't eaten in quite some time after all.\n\n\"Their goals, huh...?\" He shut his eyes, lowering his head in thought. \"From what I know, their employer was looking for mercenaries that would explore this place. Though, mercenaries are a lot different than that of regular people. _Most of them_ will probably do whatever it takes if it means getting something shiny. Can't say any of them have much care for the denizens of this place.\" He raised his head, \"This is all just an assumption in the end though. _A good one._\" He answered Che's second question, his attention focusing elsewhere.\n\n\"Now, do you have anything to eat? _Safe_ to eat, preferably? I saw that mercenary had some food, so perhaps you do as well? It's been a while since I had a bite to eat.\" The hero changed the topic, examining the room for any food." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "```ini\n[ \"...Gas-mask...?\" ]\n[ \"...Corporation...?\" ]\n[ \"...Huh...\" ]```\n\nChe questioned in a silent murmur, slightly confused as to the nature of the many foreign words that Gaige spoke. Not only was he one who had lived solely within the secluded culture of the Vektet, he was one who lived on the First Floor — a location severed from the rest of the entire superstructure. And, further then, he was not only secluded to the First Floor, but to the Forest Of the First Floor, which was to say, even Further Secluded from society. He had residence within a secluded location within a secluded location within a secluded location, and, lacking any figment of what technology or modern society even was, was left entirely clueless as to the two words' natures. \n\nNonetheless, with a shake of his head, he disregarded his own ignorance and non-understanding of Gaige's terminology, instead allowing himself to simply take in the context of his sentences. Even though he hadn't a clue what this Odysseus Corporation Could even be, he still had a basic understanding of what Gaige was getting at. Quietly nodding with a `\"M-hm,\"` He took notice of Gaige's explanation, and spoke following the conclusion of the explorer's explanation.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"I understand. Then, it's simply the matter of the fact that you lack Any Relation with the aggressing faction, rather than you possessing any Negative Relation.\" ]\n\n[ \"...Exploring such a vast and formidable structure as the Ark is no easy feat. It is not a matter that I can understand, that a human outsider, one-in-the-same as yourself, would find it a principal duty to hunt you down, rather than to advance on the more imperative task at hand: ascending to the Second Floor.\" ]\n\n[ \"How odd. I cannot say I quite yet fathom you outsiders' customs, even despite the considerable explanation that polite young man, Foster, gave me...\" ]```\n\nSomething to eat? \nChe seemed to ponder, and folded his hands in consideration. Giving an askance glance and furl of his lip, he gave a low, unassured `\"Hmm...\"`\n\n```ini\n[ \"Something to eat, you say.\" ]\n[ \"Well...\" ]\n[ \"It's unfortunate to say, but I do not currently have anything that you would find palatable. I do have some herbs,\" ]\nHe said, motioning to the drying-racks and mixing-table positioned at the rear of the shed,\n[ \"...But, well, they aren't at all an aliment for a human explorer like yourself. To be frank... They're potent poisons.\" ]\n\n[ \"I do not require nourishment, and thus I do not preserve any stock of the forest's bounty. There are indeed a variety of nourishing herbs and rife game that surround this shed, but I do not have any on-hand, as of right now.\" ]```\n\nChe's tone was slightly remorseful, yet more explanative than anything else.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"It's regrettable that I cannot provide you such charities within the confines of my own home, but I very well could guide you to finding the sustenance you seek within the forest. In fact, with my ability to traverse and observe the forest, freely as I so wish, I could acquire some quite expeditiously. If you're interested, that is.\" ]```\n\nHe elucidated, motioning with an extended right hand towards Gaige. An invitation for assistance. And were he to accept, Che would certainly follow-up on his statement, as he once had before." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He chuckled, \"The world outside here is a strange place—it'd take a long while for you to understand it fully.\" He commented on the state of the current world, shifting his attention to the matter of food. \"Ah... I see.\" He spoke with a look of sorrow on his face, but his eyes focused on the herbs that Che had noted as _poisonous_. \"You say those herbs are poisonous? Would you be willing to part with some of them? I believe they'd prove quite useful in my journey up the Vektet. If not, that's understandable. I am a complete stranger after all.\" He gave a warm smile to the root-keeper.\n\nHe was surprised by just how hospitable Che was, even offering to gather food for the man. \"Ah—no, that's unnecessary. I wouldn't want to bother you with that. Is it possible you can simply teach me the fauna and flora of this land? I plan on exploring the forest for the heir first, so I can grab some food while I search.\" He declined the root-keeper's offer, not wishing to burden the hunter with the task. \"You don't need to worry about the Desecrated and I; I'm much stronger than I look.\" He reassured Che incase the root-keeper was concerned for his safety." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "Che gave a nod. \n\nIndeed, the outside world beyond the Ark he was so familiar with was quite the mystery. \n\nIndeed, the outer worlds beyond the Ark he was so familiar with were quite the mysteries.\n\nPerhaps he could not understand the people beyond the Ground Gate of the Ark, and perhaps he was never intended to. Those abundant outsiders, each with their own stories to tell, and each with their own reasons for venturing into its depths, came and went in each of their respective epochs, each venturing further and farther into a territory unknown. None knew what awaited them, yet all took the first step forwards, despite the utter uncertainty of what could be held within. It could be considered an admirable virtue of courage, if not simple recklessness. Yes, indeed — their thoughts were of a different vein than Che's own, and far beyond the ideologies that he could ever hold.\n\nUnerring duty had changed the fundamental way that Che thought. It was disturbing to think that he had ensnared himself within the boundaries of his own moral obligations, and that he had pruned any and all potential future branches of characteristic advancement before they had even begun to sprout. \n\nNevertheless, he took an oath. An oath that he would hold true to, for the rest of his existence. So it is said, in the Ark, and all know this well: \n\n`\"Vekei zuez tuetzaav tueq koshe qaaq; tvaak zuez tueq qaatzeiz qaaq. Zei eiq tueq zaatzaatueq cherve cheter ei.\"`\n`\"An oath by mouth lasts a lifetime; an oath by deed lasts an eternity. An oath is the anchor upon which the unsteady mind is fixed.\"`\n_ _\n\nWith a sigh, he accepted his lack of capacity to understand the soul of the foreign adventurers. These things are not for the oathbound to know.\n\nThe topic had shifted, and so too did Che's nature of deep cogitation. With a perk of his head, he spoke:\n\n```ini\n[ \"Interested in those poisons, hmm...?\" ]\n[ \"Those are a specialized sort of herbal venom designed to slay the Desecrated beasts. I do not know how much good they would do for you. But if you so desire, you may take as much of it as you wish. The root and leaf from which I extract the poison are especially bountiful within this forest.\" ]```\n\nA pause, and he continues:\n\n```ini\n[ \"Flora and fauna, hmm? That is, something, indeed, that I could assist with. There is a manifold variety of vegetation within even this single forest of the First Floor, and many an herb safe to eat. It would take a moment, but I could impart you with some of my knowledge.\" ]\n\nChe lightly tilted his head at Gaige's following statement.\n\n[ \"That would be true, hm? I did feel it — the reverberations of your violent reprisal to the pursuit of the Desecrated beast. So too do you hold that blade of purification...\" ]\n\n[ \"...Yes, I'd better stave any doubts of your might I may have. The Desecrated beasts may be ferocious, but you could certainly cross the forest safely with the power you possess.\" ]```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero knew little about poisons, but he did know that they were deadly and _useful_. He gave a smile as the root-keeper explained the nature and origins of the poison. \"Oh, they're from this forest? Nevermind then, I'll gather them in my search. No need to give me what's yours.\" He spoke. The man would need Che's knowledge however to discern the appearance of the herb in the wild. In regards to Earth's flora, Gaige never took much interest in learning the various plants and herbs that scattered the land. Seems as though he'd have to learn this land's flora however if he wished to survive.\n\n\"Yes—it'd be of great help!\" He exclaimed in response to the root-keeper's offer to teach him the flora and fauna of the land. He leaned in closer, preparing to lend an ear to Che's fount of knowledge.\n\nChe's recognition of the man's strength also raised his view of the root-keeper. An easy way to get to the hero's heart was a simple boost to his ego—which doesn't take much. However, it's as they say: overconfidence is a slow, and insidious killer. The hero's confidence in his own abilities would likely result in tragedy, despite his strength." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "Che nodded cheeringly as Gaige showed his willingness to learn of the flora of the forest. Not many, these days — or, well, ever, really — were willing to learn the arts that a Root-Keeper practiced. To see an explorer from beyond the Ground Gate intrigued was a treat to the man who hadn't seen proper acknowledgement for his obscure discipline in the herbal arts. The last man he'd seen interested in the First Floors herbs was that strange man with the blue glasses...\n\nGiving an almost devious grin, he placed a hand to his chin, nodding oncemore.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Confident in your scavenging skills, are you? Then, I suppose a lesson is in order.\" ]```\n\nChuckling lightly, he furled his hands together. He was Exceptionally Knowledgeable on this topic, in particular. To share the knowledge which he had accrued over literal centuries would be his utmost pleasure... Though, it'd be up to Gaige to keep up.\n\nThough Che wasn't the best of teachers.\n\nExtending one of his hands, an effervescent, blue arcane energy manifests at his fingertips, sprawling and twirling about his hands, bending to his will. The energy twists and turns, forming into the luminous shape of a plant, as Che opens his mouth to speak. He would explain the rather strange name, interesting properties, and nature of the herb, before moving onto the next, and continuing likewise. Edible fungi, lethal fungi, capped fungi, flat fungi, blue molds, green molds, black molds, red molds, pink molds, ever-budding flowers, false-coniferous trees, potently-poisonous leaves, seaweed-like grassen growths, special types of moss that could cure bleeding, prickly plants that induced hallucinations, the sleep-inducing taarei pellet, and roots that brought about lucid dreams... Indeed, he would list off nearly every plant that he knew of to Gaige, in a long-winded and unelaborated lesson of loose-flowing information that almost felt simply like Che was gushing about his favorite plants.\n\n\n_ _\n\n`[...]`\n\n\nWhether or not he could learn anything from it was... Up for debate. Nonetheless, Gaige had learned the names and appearances of several edible plants that he could quite easily scavenge for, as well as the special combination of plants that Che crafted the Desecrated-slaying herbal venom from. Furthermore, the process by which he crafted such a potent poison — through the utility of the leaf's extract as a catalyst, and the root's ground-and-pestled form as the payload — was revealed, and could... Maybe, Be used by Gaige, were he to try his hand at the process.\n\n```ini\n[ \"And thus concludes the lesson! If you wish to survive in the forest, you'd better have caught every last detail. A forest in its entirety is a single living organism with thousands of smaller parts. To coexist with it means to understand each of these small parts, and to exploit them to the full of their use.\" ]```\n\nChe gave a proud smile as he nodded his head. It was true that much of what he had spoken of Could Be of use, yet much of it remained as information whose greatest value was simply being interesting. For example, the fact that pink mold releases its spores when the water it grows alongside is rich with nitrates, wasn't exactly relevant to the living in the forest..." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero took the enthusiasm behind the man's grin with a hint of fear of what he was about to learn. Struck by an epiphany, Gaige reached into his satchel, pulling out the journal he had found in Okot's chamber. He flipped it open to an empty page, a pen twirling between his fingers. He prepared himself for the bombardment of information that Che was about to unleash upon him.\n\nAnd so the lesson had begun.\n\nGaige scrawled down notes as Che began his spiel. The root-keeper barely gave him time to write down what he said! Trying to keep up, he made basic descriptions of each the herbs, flowers, and animals that Che mentioned. This would end up being his most arduous task yet, beating that of Kaaze. This act of hastily writing down whatever he could would go on for quite some time...\n\n`\"And thus concludes the lesson!\"`\n\nThe hero flung himself back in his chair, an elongated sigh of relief releasing from the man's mouth, as if he had just finished battling Ukue himself! With his eyes facing the ceiling, he relaxed a mere moment as he recovered from the scribbling down of notes. \"You know... You could've given me a bit of time in between each plant and animal.\" He spoke as he leaned back in, facing Che again. \"But... I think I got a good enough description of everything you mentioned. Thank you.\" He thanked the root-keeper for his lesson, his expression being one of lament.\n\n_ _\n\"Sadly, it's probably time I get going now. I do need to begin my search eventually after all.\" He stood up from his chair, rolling his neck and shoulders. He'd been sitting down for what felt like an eternity! With a stretch, the broken sword rose from the ground, being telekinetically held again. He grasped the journal, stuffing it back in the satchel it came from. He patted himself down, ensuring that he wasn't forgetting anything—all good. He approached the door to the shack, placing his hand against the door. \"Any last words or questions, Che?\" He inquired of the root-keeper, not wishing to leave him with wandering thoughts." }, { "author": "Roqaa-che", "message": "```ini\n[ \"Hmmmm... Was my method of teaching not effective enough...?\" ]```\n\nChe briefly pondered, concernedly placing a finger to his chin. Perhaps it was lacking in more exciting facts about the plants? There was a type of mushroom that exploded from time-to-time. Maybe he would have been more invested in the lesson if he mentioned more facts like that. Who would need breaks between the learning of such fascinating information, if they weren't simply disinterested...?\n\n```ini\n[ \"...Oh well.\" ]```\n\nNot everyone is born with an equal appreciation for how plants live and function. Perhaps only Root-Keepers were born with such keen interests. Such is the way of life...\n\n```ini\n[ \"It's my pleasure to share the way of the forest with all those who seek it out. Consider it an unrequited gift, explorer from beyond the Ground Gate.\" ]```\n\nHe grinned oncemore, pleased with the fact that Gaige was pleased with the information. While he may not be wholly taken by the intricacies of the forest, he had, at the very least, a base level of appreciation for the value of the knowledge.\n\n```ini\n[ \"Final statements?\" ]\n[ \"I have just one.\" ]```\n\nChe spoke with a slight pause,\n\n```ini\n[ \"If ever, in your future journey in the Ark, you encounter a Root-Tender in need, please show them the courtesy I have shown to you this day. That is all I request of you.\" ]\n\n[ \"I wish you luck on your further travels, explorer. May the road fare you well.\" ]```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The man paused with an eyebrow raised as the root-tender spoke. He listened to Che's request, turning away from the root-tender and facing the door. He pondered it for a while—he had sworn off these types of things a long time ago.\n\n. . .\n\n\"Sure, I will.\" He turned back to face the root-tender as he responded. His response wasn't one he was pleased with, but it was the least he could do for Che, who had taught him much about this land. \n\nWith a deal of remorse, he waved farewell to the root-keeper, \"To you as well, Che.\" He pushed the door of the shack open, closing it behind him. With a deep breath, he gazed out at the expansive azure forest. _`Now... Where to start?`_ He scanned the environment before him, his eyes locking towards a direction.\n\nWith a burst of speed, the hero had begun his search for the heir inside the root-infested forest." } ]	390	10,646
739.22807	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "The Merrymens' Bar (locally 'Aazruetaazoshaach') is one of the few establishments within the entirety of the Exile's Watch that possesses the privilege of being called affluent. An unambitious exterior is contrasted by a boastful interior of what is quite impressove decor and architecture, not quite lush, yet far above the typical standard of that of the Exile's Watch. A dark-oak, foreign, rustic-sort of atmosphere is seen within its bar lobby, serving as a hotspot for quite a few of the exile residents of the village.\n\nUnique bottles of what is not typically-fermented alcohol, but what is, in a literal sense, tea, line the shelves of the bar. These are no ordinary teas, however; they are intertwined and laced with a variety of herbs which possess a variety of Unique effects Upon their ingestion. As-is for the rest of the Watch, the sleep-inducing citrus pellet is used as a form of currency in its midst.\n\nA strange door is located at the rear of the bar, and what faintly sounds like music can be heard beneath the floorboards..." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "With Kuouo following after, the well-dressed man pushed through the front door of what once appeared to be a large, yet shoddy building, taking a step into its dim interior. Its lack of light was initially hiding of its true nature, yet as the bandit's eyes were to adjust, the interior of the so-called bar would be revealed to be quite intricate and grand — dark, oak paneling and well-set furniture was placed tastefully throughout the affluent bar. Larger than the average bar, it was more akin to a tavern, yet was sparse in customers, with only three, four, or maybe five total patrons, scattered throughout its spacious interior.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚕𝚊𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚜' 𝚋𝚢 𝚅𝚊𝚊𝚣𝚟𝚊 '𝚒𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏, 𝚞𝚑. 𝙱𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔'𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 '𝚗 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚛, '𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚎.\"```\n\nVaazva swaggered over to the front counter of the place as if he owned it (yes, because indeed he did) taking a seat atop one of its polished stools. As his presence was made known, most — if not all of — the current occupants of the bar glanced over at the form of the masked man, each with the subtle glints of different emotions in their eyes. From respect, to anticipation, to suspicion, to even downright fear, it seemed there was quite a mixed blend of reactions to Vaazva's sudden appearance. Yet, amongst those reactions, there was not a Hint Of disrespect. It seemed that, Vaazva, by his sheer will of nature alone, did not only Command Respect, but Forced it. He was intimidating without even needing to try, and influential enough to get what he wanted done without moving a single finger. \n\nThe more Kuouo got to witness the spectacle that was this man, the stranger, and perhaps even worrisome, he grew, as time went on..." }, { "author": "Ve", "message": "```fix\n\"...\"```\n\nA masked patron of the bar gives a sharp glare towards Vaazva, and the cloaked individual he had in tow — Kuouo. A strangely-familiar, golden glare glints from beneath his mask, as if carefully analyzing the two..." }, { "author": "Taaraa", "message": "`Sweep. Sweep. Sweep.`\n\nPresent in body, absent in mind...\n\n`Sweep away all the dust...`\n\n...A woman, some distance from Kuouo and Vaazva, mindlessly pushes a broom back-and-forth across the barely dirtied floor of the Merrymen's. Apparently quite mentally preoccupied, she stared blankly down at the broom — which was honestly only kicking up dust rather than anything else at this point — whittling away her time, slowly, inattentive to the shift in her surroundings." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"Back again, V.\"```\n\nStood behind the counter, the brusque man who donned a peculiar set of blue-hued glasses murmured a greeting, in a low, surly, yet sophisticated tone, his colorless, grey irises peeking up to view the figure of the masked man who sat opposite himself. Briefly glancing over the cloaked figure of Kuouo, the barkeep enunciated a quiet `'huh,'` Before returning to cleaning out a rather intricate glass vessel. \n\nHis demeanor was not describable as polite, whatsoever, and he rather took on a most detached attitude, as if disenchanted with the entirety of his surroundings. Yet, nonetheless, the man seemed attentive, and remained in-line with what was a prevalent attitude of respect for Vaazva. Curt as he was, he was still courteous enough to respond in the first place, and even gave a slight nod. \n\nEven the man whose nature, to Kuouo, would be most akin to a mobster — the man's general appearance withwhat scars, burly build, and again-remarkable height of 198cm being what it was — acknowledged Vaazva, continuing:\n\n```cpp\n\"I'll prepare the usual for you.\"\n\"...Something lighter for your guest, here,\" Sheto whispered, staring unimpressed at the sight of the man Vaazva had brought along.```" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "```fix\n\"𝚈𝚎𝚑, 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎. 𝙶𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚕 𝚘'𝚎𝚛-'𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚒𝚜𝚑-𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚘 '𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎. 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚎𝚢𝚎-𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 '𝚎𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜.\"```\n\nVaazva spoke in response, after a brief period of contemplation. Leaning his elbow on his table, and his chin on his rested arm, Vaazva invited Kuouo himself to take a seat, inviting him as one would an honored guest — at the chair directly beside himself. Sheto, the barkeep, nodded, turning to withdraw several of the tea-filled nonalcoholic (yet very hallucinogenic) beverages alongside the wall, pouring and preparing the two drinks as per Vaazva's typical order and special request.\n\n_ _\n```fix\n\"𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚅𝚊𝚊𝚣𝚟𝚊, 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚝 '𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙼𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚘'𝚕𝚕 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚙 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚐-𝚘' 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚎 '𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍. 𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚊 '𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚣𝚊...\"```\n\nThe masked man peered at Kuouo from beyond his mask. His yellow gaze remanifested in subtlety, its all-discerning nature as a spear against Kuouo's very soul within the moment that Vaazva laid eyes upon him. Relaxing, the glow quieted, and the man returns his gaze to the counter." }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"Your drinks, V.\"```\n\nSheto spoke abruptly, laying down two glassen vessels. To the one he gave to Vaazva, its glass was chalk-full of what appeared to be a most unique, bountiful, and fragrant mixture of several herbal blends — citrus-y, yet not in the same way Taarei Was, and spicy, not unlike saffron, were Kuouo to be familiar with that. To Kuouo, he was given a more mild blend. It almost smelled akin to black tea, yet had a slight, yet pleasant funk to it, and would taste strangely like bitter cherries, were he to take a sip. Not unpleasant, however." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚎, 𝚞𝚑? 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝙰𝚊𝚝𝚔𝚎𝚒, '𝚗 𝙺𝚘𝚟𝚛𝚘𝚝?\"\n\"𝙱𝚢 𝙴𝚒𝚔𝚘𝚔𝚞𝚎'𝚜 𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚜... '𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎'𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍 '𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚊𝚕, 𝙺𝚘𝚟𝚛𝚘𝚝...\"```\n\n...He appeared almost to reminisce, staring down at the table, silent, before returning to questioning Kuouo.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚃𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎 '𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚠, 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛. '𝚂 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 '𝚘𝚕 𝚙𝚊𝚕, 𝚅𝚊𝚊𝚣𝚟𝚊, 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚒𝚗' 𝚝𝚊, '𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗' 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔...\"```" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo stepped through the doorway, thoroughly more impressed of the interior. ``'Don't judge a book by its cover I 'spose.'`` He thought, although it's a line that's sporadically held its weight ever since the bandit entered the Vektet. Kuo nodded as Vaazva initially spoke, almost agreeing to stay in line for the duration of his invite... As long as things went smoothly anyways. \n\nAll eyes were on Vaazva; although some spared attention for the cloaked bandit that trailed behind him, it severely lacked in comparison to the way this masked man Controlled The ambience of the bar and its patrons by simply Walking Through the spacious tavern. Kuouo couldn't help but ponder the nature of the Vaazva's strength for it to Command The room as it did. That is, before he recalled the frighteningly trailless approach in Kuekat's stand.\n\n```He approached with some sorta speed or invisibility or somethin'... And with such ease too, he didn't seem the slightest bit winded with his ghost-like approach. It seems we're in good standin' for now, but I should have some sort of back-up plan in case things go south. Otherwise, I oughta play it cool.```\n\nKuouo made notes of the other patrons and their locations within the bar. It was almost second nature to the thief, which is all the more reason as to why Vaazva's method of approach threw him off. A second masked man glared at the two, the bandit reckoning he was doing the same. Off in the back, a girl mindlessly swept the floors. Normally Kuo wouldn't pay her any mind but if it was anything like that ``Grillby's Incident``, he knew not to underestimate seemingly incompetent girls.\n\nBy the time he approached the bar, Kuo exhaled. It was quiet, but it held a heavy weight, hand-in-hand with the tenseness held in his shoulders. Kuouo exchanged similar glances with the barkeep before Vaazva invited the goat to take a seat. \n\n```fix\n\"Yeah, no prob. I've been itchin' for somethin' to drink for a while now. I almost took a sip of the water in the stream past the gate but... Yeah, that's not drinkin' water. If yer wantin' to ask questions, I hope ya don't mind answerin' some of my own after.\"```\n\nAnd then the piercing yellow gaze peered through Kuo's eyes and into his SOUL.\n\nIt dimmers down, Vaazva returning his gaze to the countertop. Sheto approaches the two, breaking the moment of silence and placing two glasses on the table. One contained Vaazva's and the other had whatever this ``𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚒𝚜𝚑-𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚘`` happens to be. Kuouo rises the glass up to his snout, taking a whiff before tilting his head back and taking a full gulp. He looked down at the floor before smiling, although it wasn't as harsh as alcohol, it hit allllllll the right notes. He took another gulp of the herbal mixture, turning his body to face Vaazva and spill the tea (not in a literal sense of course).\n\n```fix\n\"Riight. So, I had come in from that big ass tower from the gate. I approached the two, Kovrot tryna attack me with two dead knights from wherever the fuck. I took those things real easy, thank fuck. I already had t' kill two knights in that tower, so I wasn't really plannin' on havin' another full-on fight, ya know?\"```\n\nKuouo shifted his body, extending his arms out across the countertop and crossing his legs as he sat up straight with the bar keeping his back straight.\n\n```fix\n\"From there, she jus' happens to fall asleep. Aatkei is freakin' out cuz some asshat that followed me shot at 'em while I was tryin' to take care o' things without startin' another fight. I finally calm 'im down and make a deal with 'im... A bottle of whiskey, say, 3/4ths the way full in exchange for information and gettin' past the gate. Didn't give me much, jus' told me about Kaataa and Otaaraa, some dickhead on the second floor, and whatever the hell 'eclipse magic' is... Though for that last one, I didn't get much info. From here on out, I jus' know those are the guys I oughta look out for when I make my way to the tower past the Watch.```\n\nKuouo sits back up, now facing Vaazva to give him the juicy details as he took yet another gulp.\n\n```fix\n\"Anyways, Kovrot starts talkin' about this root crown and stuff. She's about t' snitch and turn me in. She's got Aatkei by the balls by rotting the skin on his chest but that just sorta... Sets 'im off, ya know? He throws her off and even though he's got a dagger, he throws it off and settles the ordeal hand-to-hand. Even though the chick was soberin' up, he managed to knock her out of her socks.```" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "Staring at his drink from beyond his mask, the man gave a slight grin as he stared at its swirling, complex, and potent color. Lifting it to gain a better sight of its intricate swirls of herbal blends, he peered carefully at the contents within the drinking-vessel, his dimmed irises squinting at the suspension of particles within the nonalcoholic blend. Sheto was always a careful prep; any tea made by his hands was certain to be of the highest quality. Pleased, Vaazva subtly lifted the lower-half of his mask, revealing the rough surface of his scarred, ink-stained tattooed skin, his slightly dry lips pressing against the warm glass as he takes a large, Large Sip of the tea. In what was two-to-three gulps, he had downed about half the vessel, tapping it quietly against the countertop as he listened to Kuouo speak.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚎, 𝚞𝚑?\"```\n\nVaazva had been mostly relaxed and carefree in manner in every preceding act and word towards Kuouo. However, with the mentioning of the Gate And the reference to the Tower, the masked man's attention had been, for the first time, apprehended. It was not quite a nature of fear or worry, but simple concern — and a careful attention to what Kuouo said following. The inferred hint that Kuouo came from byond the Vektet was one of the few things that piqued Vaazva's curiosity. Surprises were few-and-far-between for the man-in-charge, but this particular statement appeared to have caught him off-guard.\n\n`Peer.`\n_ _\n\nThe yellow glow in his eyes returned, as he briefly stared with deep intent towards the bandit beside him. Yet, in what was the briefest of moments, it seemed that he came to a conclusion, his all-seeing, piercing eyes dimming in a flicker.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙰𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚗𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚎, 𝚑𝚞𝚑. 𝚂𝚞𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗'.\"```\n\nHis subtle astonishment faded, yet his attentiveness persisted as Kuouo continued on to speak about how he had Eliminated two knights within the tower. The man gave a low, quiet `'heh'` as the bandit continued on in what would be, to any other citizen within the Exile's Watch, an aggrandized or fancifully-fictitious story chalk-full of baloney. But, in the two occurrences that Vaazva shot his piercing gaze in Kuouo's direction, it appeared as though he confirmed something: He wasn't talking out of his ass. Everything he had said, and continued to say, was true... Despite how ridiculous it sounded.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙱𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 '𝚎𝚕𝚕. 𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚖𝚎 '𝚗 '𝚎𝚖 𝚔𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗' 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜.\"```\n\nVaazva knocked back another long swig of the tea, and went silent as Kuouo continued on from his foundation-setting for the rest of the story. Now came the part that Vaazva initially was curious about: the nature of Aatkei and Kovrot's conflict, both of whom he seemed familiar with, in one way or another.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙿𝚏𝚊𝚊𝚑𝚑.\"\n\"𝙻𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚝 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚎. 𝚃𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚞𝚗𝚔 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚝' 𝚜𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 '𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕, 𝚊𝚗' 𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚜 '𝚘𝚕 𝚙𝚊 𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗' 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎. 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚜, -𝚞𝚑.\"```\n\nVaazva palmed the upper half of his mask, letting out a quiet, prolonged groan of disappointment following Kuouo's description of the two's encounter. Taking a deep breath in, he again swings back another large gulp of the tea, finishing it off in record time.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙷𝚎𝚕𝚕. 𝙼𝚞𝚌𝚑-'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝, 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎.\"\n\"𝙷𝚎 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚊𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝙸 𝚐𝚊𝚟𝚎 '𝚎𝚖 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙸 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 '𝚒𝚖 𝚝𝚊' 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝, 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗' 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎.\"\n\n\n\"'𝙻𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑' 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢... 𝙺𝚘𝚟𝚛𝚘𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚊𝚕, 𝚜𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎-𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 '𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝. 𝙰𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚝-𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 '𝚜 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚎-'𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝' 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊 𝚙𝚞𝚛𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 '𝚘𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚕𝚎𝚝.\"```\n\nThe masked man lowered his mask, giving a deep, contemplative `'mmm...'`, as he stared forth at the counter...\n\n```fix\n\"𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 '𝚗 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚊' 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚝' 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚒𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎-𝚘' 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚢-'𝚛-'𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛.\"```\n\nGoing quiet, it seemed the man had no need for further questioning of Kuouo, instead allowing him to enjoy his drink. His curiosity had been sated, and so too had his favor been paid off; the bandit likely could now leave if he wanted. Though, considering Vaazva's nature, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that he might be open to answer a few questions." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Yeah he vaguely mentioned they both came from the second floor, kinda in passin' ya know? The two's got a lotta history behind 'em, I could tell... Lotsa pulled punches durin' that fight.\"```\n\nKuouo fixed his new cloak, swiping his glass of tea and chugging the rest of it down. Following the bandit's quenched thirst, he set the empty vessel down, tapping his digits along the countertop as he calculated his next move. Now would absolutely be time to ask Vaazva some questions before kicking out of there.\n\n```fix\n\"Hope ya don't mind if I get one more favor outta ya. Yer hospitality's been much appreciated ever since I got 'ere. The name's Kuouo by the way. That aside, I just wanted to ask ya a couple of questions.```\n\nKuouo stood up, now leaning against the chair he was standing on with the 'golden' dagger in his hand. He shook his head, not even knowing why he took it seeing as its made out of a weaker metal. He placed it on the bar and slid it in front of Vaazva.\n\n```fix\n\"Jus' two and I'm outta yer hair. First one is who's the root crown. Izzit someone else I oughta worry about while zoomin' across the Vetket? I already vaguely know about Tvotkei, but that's someone on the second floor, right? Kaataa and Otaara are also some dickheads t' look out for I know that much too...```\n\nKuouo held up his paw, flashing two fingers as he asked his second question.\n\n```fix\n\"And second question... The reason I came t' the Vetket is to rid my bad luck and find somethin' of worth around here. As it turns out, in my sect of the world this gold ain't really that much. I guess you can say its worth is... Rather ambiguous there instead of the treasure it is here. In the city I'm from, it'd take 15 of these gold coins t' buy ya a bowl of grub, daheheh.\"```\n\nHe reached into his left pocket, taking the coin out and inspecting it once more before placing it next to the dagger Vaazva bought. He winked at the Wenchdiver, parting ways with the coin as thanks for the polite gestures so far." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "```fix\n\"𝚀𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚞𝚑? 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝... 𝙳𝚒𝚍 𝚜𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚕, 𝚅𝚊𝚊𝚣𝚟𝚊. 𝙶𝚘 𝚊𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍, 𝚢' 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛-𝚕𝚊𝚍. 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚝.\"```\n\nThe masked man briefly glanced towards Kuouo, breaking from what seemed to be a momentary period of deep thought. Without further drink to chug in his moments of downtime, he was left only to fidget, tapping his left hand's index finger against the wooden table before him. This act of fidgeting would perhaps be the first thing that would bring Kuouo's attention to his left hand, and thus, by extension, attention to his Fingers, Of which he was missing a single digit: his left ring finger.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙺𝚞𝚘𝚞𝚘, -𝚞𝚑.\"\n\"𝙴𝚑, 𝚝𝚠𝚘... 𝚃𝚠𝚘'𝚜 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕... 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚢𝚘𝚞.\"```\n\nHe scratched the side of his robed head, pondering as Kuouo spoke. To each of his questions, he had an answer — and quite solid answers, for each. In terms of sheer knowledge upon the intricacies of the Vektet, Vaazva was, surprisingly, quite the scholar. His Former occupation, Prior to his exile, lead him to learn and to memorize unfathomable quantities of knowledge. Knowledge worth multiple lifetimes, and knowledge which he could never forget. \n\n`A full-on outsider from beyond the Ground Gate. And unabashed to show it, no less.`\n\n```fix\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚝-𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚗-𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗' 𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎'𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚐𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚣𝚒𝚗' 𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘'-𝚜𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚜 '𝚎𝚖 𝚋𝚢, '𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚘𝚗𝚎-'𝚊-𝚝𝚑' 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝'𝚘𝚕𝚎-'𝚟𝚎-𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚕𝚎𝚝. 𝙷𝚎'𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎-'𝚏 '𝚎𝚖 𝙱𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝙴𝚡𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚗𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎, '𝚗 𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚖𝚊 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝙱𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝙴𝚡𝚒𝚕𝚎, 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝.\"\n\n\"𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙻𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚃𝚊𝚊𝚎 𝙲𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚝 𝙴𝚣𝚎𝚛...\"```\n _ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚒𝚜𝚎, '𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚎𝚌𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠, 𝚜𝚕𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚍, '𝚗 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚎, 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚝' 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚎𝚙𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚝' 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜.\n\n𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔 '𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚖, 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚒𝚗' 𝚊𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝙸𝚏 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖, 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎-'𝚝𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏. 𝙸𝚏 '𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎'𝚎𝚛, 𝚑𝚎'𝚍 𝚌𝚞𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚊' 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚜. 𝙼𝚊𝚗'𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛. '𝙽 𝚗𝚘 𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚔𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚜𝚜.\"```\n\n...He completed, before staring briefly down at the coin that Kuouo offered.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞, -𝚞𝚑? 𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝'𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗...\"\n\n\"...𝚗𝚊𝚑, 𝚢'-𝚊𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎.\"```\n\nVaazva dismissed the thought, his grin unseen beneath his mask.\n\n_ _\n```fix\n\"𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚗' 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗' 𝚘𝚏 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎, 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑' 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚛. 𝙰𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚝' 𝚋𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎, 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚝, 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝙵𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚛.\"\n\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝙵𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚛, 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍-'𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙻𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚛 𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚖, 𝚑𝚘𝚠-𝚎'𝚎𝚛...\"\n\nVaazva leaned in, speaking discreetly:\n\n\"...𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚃𝚟𝚘𝚔𝚝𝚎𝚒'𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚢𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗' 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚗𝚘𝚠-'𝚗-𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗.\"```" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"I'm curious.\"```\n\nSheto spoke abruptly at the very moment that Vaazva's voice stopped.\n\n```cpp\n\"You mentioned something called 'whiskey'. In a bottle.\"\n\"Explain to me what that is.\"```\n\nHe squinted carefully at Kuouo, his grayed irises peering from beyond his slightly blue-tinted glasses. His brow furrowed, apparently in anger — yet, upon closer examination, and with greater understanding of Sheto's character, he merely was interested. It seemed as though the man had a bad habit of appearing angered at every given moment. Perhaps it was just the way he was born..." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "Vaazva, while his face was hidden beyond his mask, gave a subtle nod. He was impressed, with perhaps himself, or perhaps Kuouo — it was quite vague. Who he was impressed with and why was rather indistinct; it seemed as though it could either be that he was impressed with Himself, And his Own knowledge, Or perhaps the fact that Kuouo was able to take in so much of it with ease. In either case, Vaazva was one proud and pleased with the exchange information, and one wholly content to teach. Once a reservoir of limitless knowledge, the man known as Yellow-Eyed Vaazva was both a keeper and teacher of all forms of erudition, be it fact-of-history or the greater mythos of the Arue. His days as a priestly scholar had long past, yet the familiarity of sharing the inner lore of the Ark was a warm kindling that never departed from his heart.\n\nYellow-Eyed Vaazva. Once known as The All-Wise Veitvaazva, Archregistrar of the Court of the Eclipse. An honorable title, which was later superceded by the title Eye of Providence of the Order of the Left Hand.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙷𝚎𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚑. 𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚊 𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚕𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎, 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛-𝚕𝚊𝚍.\"\n\"𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚍𝚊𝚢-𝚒𝚗 '𝚗 𝚍𝚊𝚢-𝚘𝚞𝚝, 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚖𝚎𝚗'𝚍 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝' 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚎𝚔 '𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎-'𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍.\"\n\n\"...\"```\n\n...He murmurs,\n\n```fix\n\"...𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚜𝚘 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜, '𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝙸 𝚋𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 '𝚘𝚕 𝙰𝚛𝚞𝚎𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚛𝚌𝚑...\"\n\n\"...𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑, '𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚕𝚎, 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕...\"```" }, { "author": "Sheto", "message": "```cpp\n\"I see...\"```\n\nSheto said, still squinting with furious intent towards Kuouo. His eyes were sharp, piercing, and skirting on aggressive. Yet, as Kuouo likely began to grow familiar with his nature, it was simply a demonstration of his attentiveness. Sheto, surprisingly being the one to come up with the herbal concoctions and brews that the bar was so well-known for, was one quite invested in the field of inebriating, brewed beverages.\n\n```cpp\n\"A warm feeling. Not unfamiliar. Dizziness, double-sightedness... The effects of the chekte branch are alike to such...```\n\n...Wait...\n\nSheto's brow impossibly furrowed further as Kuouo went further into the process of How it was made. His head tilts forwards, as he places both hands on the counter of the bar, leaning precariously close to Kuouo as he spoke, alert, and wide-eyed as he continued.\n\n```cpp\n\"Aging... Grains? You'd make grains, hallucinogenic...?\"\n\"Like vinegar... It'd rot... But it'd certainly waste away... Or, no...\"```\n\nHe placed a hand to his forehead, his squinted eyes peering towards the ground, in an entranced moment of deep calculation.\n\n```cpp\n\"...The ripening of fruit... The aging process... Its sweetening over time...\"\n\"...An added intensity of wood-like complexion... The exploitation of deep aging...\"```\n\nHe places both hands to his head, and slowly paces away from the counter, staring at the many bottles that lined the wall. Cataclysmic quantities of information rushed through his head at a tremendously accelerated pace, each like a rushing tidal-wave that flowed vigorously throughout the mind. Each detail from the outsider was gleaned, and utilized to its utmost, matched against the information about brewing a proper drink that he had already established. The result...?\n\n*AN EPIPHANY.\n_ _\n\n```cpp\n\"The fermentation process.\"\n\"I must confirm it. Immediately.\"```\n\nThe man forcefully bursted forth, emerging from about and around the counter. Hardly managing to squeeze in the words:\n\n```cpp\n\"Taaraa! Manage the lobby. I'm performing an experiment. I'll be gone for a few days.\"```\n\n...He practically exploded out the front door, disappearing before a single person could react or even object." }, { "author": "Taaraa", "message": "\"I don't do danc-\"\n\n\n\"Eees—Uh?\"\n\"What?\"\n\nTaaraa shook her head in disbelief, tightly clasping the broom which she used to sweep.\n\n\"H-H-Huh...?!\"\n\n`W-where am I? What did he just say? How much am I getting paid for this? Oh, mother Eikokue... What? Not my shifts again...`" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo lightheartedly chuckled, grateful for both information crucial and not-so-much crucial. Regardless, he understood, much better that than some of the Human priests* In his world. Had the bandit not settled down for the love of his life so early at his age, he would've probably shared a similar streak of promiscuity.\n\n```fix\n\"Daheheh, well, I'll make sure t' make good use of it! Who knows, if all goes well then I might jus' come back with heavier pockets with gratuity in mind.```\n\nKuouo winked, holding his hand out to shake.\n\n```fix\n\"It was nice meetin' ya Vaaz, I think I'll be on my way—```\n\nKuouo raised an eyebrow before breaking back into his smile as Sheto vocalized his hypothesis outloud. He nodded along, not knowing the Exact Process but it all sounded right to him. Sheto made his way out the door, quickly demanding his waiter girl and snapping her out of whatever daydream she was in.\n\n```fix\n\"Daheh! Make sure ya let — Whatwashisname, Sheto? - Yeah, make sure ya let Sheto know t' credit me when y'guys make a fortune off of this alcohol stuff. Should be maaad lucrative!\"```\n\nAnd with that the thief took a similar exit to Sheto, now fully rested, camoflauged, and richer with the Information Needed to keep himself alive and focus his drive on throughout the Vetket." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Briefly traversing through the Exile's Watch, which had now begun to grow familiar to the bandit Kuouo, he would swiftly and discreetly be able to make his way through the plaza and into the bar known as the Merrymens'. The plaza remained mostly unchanged since the last he saw, albeit slightly... Emptier.\n\nPushing through the doors of the Merrymens', he would take note that quite a few of its patrons had cleared out of its midst, including Ve, The masked man positioned at the rear of the bar, Sheto, The bartender, and last but not least, Vaazva, Its owner. It was almost completely empty, save for the presence of a single individual — Taaraa, now positioned behind the bar where Sheto once served the inebriating (and partially hallucinogenic) tea-like drinks. \n\nStrangely, the strange sound like music not only continued to reverberate through the floorboards, but now seemed slightly louder..." }, { "author": "Taaraa", "message": "Both hands atop the counter of the bar, the woman leaned against its spruce form with her gaze shifted towards the dark floor below. She seemed to be deep in thought, having not even initially noticed that Kuouo had re-entered the bar, her eyes of a common and unimposing brown languidly drug down to the ground, hints of restlessness and unease clearly visible in the way that she held herself. Only accustomed to the common and thoughtless labor of sweeping a broken broom across a floor that wasn't even all that dusty, the sudden change in posts had left her quite a bit nervous. \n\nHer fingers tap irregularly against the table, and it is only when the door slammed shut behind Kuouo that she lifted her eyes to give him a distant, detached gaze, her mind elsewhere — drowned in the erratic haze of combined nervousness and tiredness from several sleepless nights. She could scarce recognize what she was even staring at, up until a few moments later, when a realization clicks in her head, and she gives a most startled expression in response, gasping suddenly.\n\n\"Uh! Welcome to the Merrymens'!\"\nShe clasped her mouth with her left hand, questioning of her own words, in a slight moment of confusion.\n\n`W-Wait, what did I just say?`\n`W-w-who in the world is this? Did I just greet him?? Was that the right greeting?`\n\n\"Right, what, uh, p-potion—-errrh, drink, brew... Tea?! Can I get you?!\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuo was slightly relieved; with rush hour done in the plaza, he'd have to worry much less about someone spotting him. Even with the cloak, that guy ``Qaarrorroq`` really made an ass of both himself and Kuo. \n\n```It's not like there's any other blonde goats out here.```\n\nWhichever the case, he pushed through the heavy oak door leading into The Merrymens' and quickly scanned his surroundings. As previously mentioned, Sheto had taken his leave as well as Vaazva and the stranger sitting alone from earlier. The only person that had remained was the chick Sheto had left to run the bar by herself. The bandit, figuring she'd have to do, kicks the bottom-corner of the door with his right heel and shuts it closed. He glances up at the barkeep, temporarily disassociated from reality, before she put the pieces together and snaps back to reality. \n\n```fix\n\"Daheheh, daydreamin' on the job aren'tcha?\"```\n\nKuo approached the counter, sitting in the same spot he had about an hour ago and slouching forward. He shook his head and waved his hand, dismissing the idea of getting a drink... ``'It's not like I got any`` ``taarei`` ``anyways.'`` The bandit scoffed to himself before inching his eyes to left, and then to the right, ensuring that nobody else was there to impede on his conversation. \n\n```fix\n\"I'm not gettin' a drink... In fact, the plaza's kinda empty right now, so yer prolly gonna have a slow night, daheh. Nahh, I'm just here wonderin' where I can find Sheto. I'd given him that advice and I jus' wanted to follow up with him in addition t' some questions I gotta ask him. Hope the information ain't too private.\"```" }, { "author": "Taaraa", "message": "The impromptu-fill-in bartender's fingers danced disquietedly atop the surface of the table, tapping in arrhythmic pattern as she gave a perturbed glare, mismatched with an unfitting and nervous smile as she attempted to greet the new patron of the bar. Taking a step away from the counter, she gave several rapid blinks, glancing left, then right — attempting to even scarce recall Who he was. She hadn't seen him or his face within the proximity of the bar, or even within the Exile's Watch, for that matter — or so she Thought, Maybe she did remember him? Or—no, she didn't remember him after all. `Did she?` \n\n`Cloaked? Furry? Blonde? Weird accent? Who???`\n\nHer smile persisted, even as she gave the most confused glare in his direction, her right arm curling close towards her chest.\n\n\"D-Daydreaming??\"\n\n`Oh, right... Right, right... My shifts. Ugh...`\n\nShe shook her head, stared back down, towards the table, clasped her brow, and disregarded the thought. \n\n\"Right, so... What drink can I get you—\"\n_ _\n\nNow gathered, recovered from her brief moment of confoundedness — her gaze more clearly set on the man before her — the woman behind the bar counter leaned once more against its wooden frame, questioning, before swiftly being interrupted.\n\n\"Sheto...??\"\n\"Uhh...\"\n\"...What business do you have with him?\"\n\nShe questioned, raising a brow at the man's slightly odd question. As far as she was familiar... No one asked for Sheto. No one.** He was thought to be a crook, or some sort of gangster: he had the build, the glare, and the scars to show for it. Honestly, she hadn't a clue why Vaazva would have him so openly within the lobby... He, on occasion, scared some customers away.\n\nNonetheless, for one reason or another — she vaguely recalled being asked to partake in some sort of odd blood-test of one sort or another. Now, if she could just recall clearly...\n\n\"Sheto...\"\n\"Right, Sheto... I think he lived... Down by the church? Somewhere... A blue light... A lantern...\"\n\n`Right, right... Wait... Huh?`\n`Why am I...`\n\n\"...Who the hell are you?\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Well, I've told 'im about a drink that hadn't existed on the Vektet 'til now. I know you were starin' off int' space when he told ya to man the bar, but that's the whole reason he left. I guess you could say I jus' wanted to give 'im some additional advice and maaaaybe exchange info... I heard he's real good at this brewin' stuff, so I thought I could trade my brew for somethin' I need.\"```\n\nKuo smiled, keeping his answer vague, but truthful. His tone was light and friendly, not wanting to alarm the girl — He didn't want her to be too defensive — or worse, a panic — after snapping her back to reality so harshly. He did, however, mentally take note of the points of interest she absentmindedly mentioned. ``'Down by the church with some kinda blue light orrr... Lantern. Shouldn't be too hard to find.'``\n\nIndeed, it wasn't going to be a challenge for the bandit to at least find the church. He distinctly recalled the large stonelike structure sticking out northward like a sore thumb in comparison to the shoddy woodwork of the rest of the village. Had it been any other kind of structure, the bandit might've visited it first but. . .\n\n``'churches are mad lame.'``\n\nHe cared not for their existence.\n\nHe watched as the woman stared at the counter after relaying the basic information needed, almost deep in thought before catching herself and pulling her attention back onto shore. By the time she had done that, the goat was already sliding off his chair - Not quite ready to leave just yet, but eager to get a move on. ``'Sheesh, I wonder she takes that taarei stuff.'`` Kuo tilted his head, feeling as if the fact that it felt like she was going to sleep at any time solidified his hypothesis before she eventually questioned the bandit's identity. Taaraa was met with a prideful-toned answer,\n\n```fix\n\"The name's Kuouo Aiche Dee! Ya mighta heard in passing while I was talkin' to Vaazva, but I'm from out the Vektet where I'm quite the bandit, daheh! Ya said this place was down by the church, right? With a blue light emittin' from a lantern? Any specific kinda directions ya wanna give me so I don't gotta search the whole block?\"```" }, { "author": "Taaraa", "message": "\"Kuouo Aiche Dee...\"\n\nThe woman mimicked his introduction statement, tapping a finger against her furrowed brow in a prolonged moment of recollection. Her memory truly wasn't usually this shoddy; it was just the major lack of sleep in the past few days that had strongly been getting to her typically composed mental state. Taarei, Despite being a currency in these lands, was in high demand as a drug to be consumed, and so the payments she received for her laborious shifts tended to vary. Considering there were no day-night cycles within the First Floor, overtime could last Multiple twenty-four hour periods, And even the principally-immortal bodies needless of either food or water could still tire over time. Without the pay, she couldn't sleep; those who take Taarei Oft grow reliant on it to soothe their wearied minds into a state of slumber. And even with the pay, she couldn't sleep; Working through the time in which one would typically rest doesn't exactly allow for a restful mind, either.\n\n\"Ugh...\"\n\n`Kuouo Aiche Dee...`\n`Kuouo Aiche Dee...`\n`Kuouo Aiche Dee...`\n\n_ _\n\nShe tightly shut her eyes, the fingers of her raised right hand pressing against her eyelids, massaging their irritated forms. The overworked-impromptu-fill-in-underpaid-bartender shook her head, and simply accepted that she hadn't a Single clue If she had even heard that name before or not.\n\n`Kuouo Aiche Dee... From ou—`\n\n—Wait. Was that even what she needed to be questioning?\n\n`Out of the Ark??!!`\n\n\"H-*What?\"\n\nShe shot a very, Very* Concerned glare to the cloaked goat opposite herself. She could scarce take another breath in before giving a harsh, outwards gasp, as if she had been stricken in the gut by the late recognition of his statement\n\n*\"You're from __where?__\"\n\nHer hand, once rested upon her face, slid up and into her hair, tugging at the slightly messied roots of her bangs. Her mouth remained wide open in shock, as she squinted at the cloaked figure of the bandit, her expression of raw disbelief. Disbelief which she would soon cast away — she shook her head, furrowed her brow, and stared down at the counter, as if far too exhausted to even continue reacting to the unbelievable nature of his statement.\n\n`T-Then, right, right, that means, no, uh... Huh... Uh. No, whatever... Am I in danger?`* \n\n\"Huh...\"\n\nSeveral quickened blinks, as so to stave away her confusion and her tiredness, and the woman snapped back to the conversation at hand.\n\n\"Uhm. Right... Just... Cling to the right, I guess?? Look for the residential district...?\"\n\n\"Uuumh, a Nap, Huh...\"\n\nShe interjected in response to the very statement, as if she longed for such a thing. Briefly closing her eyes and placing her hand to her chin, she contemplated, and then nodded in response to his suggestion. Maybe a little rest could be afforded, after all... It wasn't like anyone was going to be using the bar for anything, any time soon. Especially when Sheto wasn't here to serve one the Exact drink That one typically ordered. Even when he was here, the bar wasn't used as much as the Other Purpose this building existed...\n\nHis usage and familiarity with the nature of the Exile's Watch — and Especially Of his familiar use of the names Vaazva, Sheto, and even Aatkei, A regular of the bar, which she was certain he wouldn't have met in the bar, itself, was quite odd to the woman behind the counter. The whole ordeal was far too confusing and complicated for her to attempt to mentally resolve or even Begin To wrap her mind around, so, instead of slaving over it, she would simply just accept it with a quiet `\"Whatever.\"`\n\n\"Tip? Tip?\"\n\nShe spoke, then echoed, her eyes opening briefly with what was the first dopamine shot she had had in the past two-or-so Days. Her irises fluttered with the light of joy, her mouth tugged into an instinctive smile.\n\n`Oh, beloved pay—`\n\n`\"...I don't have anything else reasonable to give ya.\"`\n\n`Damn it all.`\n\nThe brief light that was once in her eyes faded, and her smile faded, yet would persist in slight, so as not to seem ungrateful. All she wanted was Taarei, But whatever else he had to offer couldn't Hurt, Right?\n\n_ _\n\n...Truthfully, she had no interest in anything But taarei, In the end. That was simply wishful thinking; and she also did not want to appear thankless in response to his tip in return.\n\n`H-h... Huh.`\n\nShe stared at the extended gift... A pillow, of sorts... \nHer eyes could scantly recognize the foreign object, or even what it was attempting to depict on its surface—`was that a person? W-what...?`\n\n\"Right..?\"\n\nReluctantly taking the gift from his hands, the woman watched as he departed, gazing down at the 'tip' in bafflement." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Unfortunately for Tabby, the spruce oak door did not lead into a store as expected, but rather the midst of a mostly-empty tavern.\n\nIts interior was much better than its exterior would suggest it to be; the bar was boasting of finely-made furnishings and an overall lush interior of high-quality wood, tastefully built together to form a sort of semi-rustic atmosphere. Or, well, perhaps it was just the standard type of atmosphere one would find in a bar during whatever sort of strange, alternate era that the architects of the Vektet originated from. Nonetheless, the bar seemed well-kept, yet, as aforementioned, was almost entirely empty. Many things in the Exile's Watch seemed empty as of the moment; it seemed that, perhaps due to the sudden appearance of intruders from the Embrace of Sol, most people had fled.\n\nHowever, there was still one person within the bar..." }, { "author": "Taaraa", "message": "...Seated on a stool, behind the bar counter, was the figure of a young woman, her right arm leaned against the wooden surface of the countertop. Her head laid atop her right palm, and her eyes were closed — in a most relaxed position, she seemed to be fast asleep. Clutched within her left arm and held close to her chest — and incredibly strangely enough — was a Pillow. A Body pillow. Featuring Bulma, from Dragon Ball Z.\n\nWhat a sight to see.\nTabby would be left to guess how in the world someone from the Vektet got their hands on such an item...\n\nAside from the woman, herself, there was the faint, but resonant sound of Music, vibrating from beneath the floorboards. Further, some distance beyond the bar counter, at one of the bar's far-side walls, there was the strange form of an Overshadowed door, Likely leading into some sort of further chamber within the building." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "God fucking damnit, I found the bar on accident. She recalls the enigmatic person's speech about a man named Vaazva, thoroughly upset that she managed to find the bar while being completely unprepared to actually undertake such a task. She glances around, her eyes falling on Taaraa's sleeping body.\n\nWhat. The fuck. Is that. She raises her finger and points at It, her Defender silently nodding in agreement. This. Is really weird. What kind of person would make a pillow with an imprint of... Whoever That is, from Whatever Medium, and... Was it made locally, perhaps? Surely if they COULD create something such as that pillow, they MUST have a tailor nearby.. Which means I can complete the infusion on my.. She puts one of her paws to her cloak and looks down at her boots, wondering of the possibility that such a place exists in this poor, poor town. Hmmmmmmm...\n\nShe quickly scouts around again. Any Vaazvas around here? \n\nShe shakes her head and prepares a little teeny-tiny trick, handing about 50 gold coins to her automaton & ducking down as her Defender quietly saunters over to the bar, taking great care to not wake the sleeping woman, lest she call security on the cat for this next move.. Is there even security in this town at all? The master ponders, casting Guidance To aid her Stealth Check as she attempts to sneak around to the entrance of the counter as quietly as possible. \n\nTabby rolls an incredible 29 On her check, (17 + 4 (Guidance) + 8 (Stealth modifier) meaning her steps Should Be whisper quiet. With her guardian sitting on a stool — and causing it to bow under its incredible weight - she hops that, should the woman awake, she would instead focus mostly on her happy metal customer, who would love for nothing for than her finest 'drink.'\n\n_ _\nThe robot does not drink alcohol. In fact, the robot does not really drink at all, but Tabby simply hopes that the artificial intelligence kicks in and finds an explanation as she Makes her way towards the door." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The door is closed, yet not locked. And, once opened, revealed behind it would be a dark staircase. The subtle sound of music played by strange instruments had never once graced Tabby's ears before ascended up the dark stairwell, suggesting that there was... Something Else, Below the bar. It smells strangely like... Citrus?" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The Defender watches from the bar as Tabby opens the door, making sure the bartender doesn't go anywhere as the stool breaks apart; splintering under the robot's incredible weight and sending it to the ground, flat on its ass. Despite this sudden crashing, the construct is unphased, head peeking over the counter as it simply sits and keeps watch for anything that could potentially pincer Tabby from this end. What a vigilant protector, refusing to let go of the task at hand even at the expense of its metaphorical tailbone. Truly astonishing. The metal being stares with incredible, unflinching intensity, boring holes into the sleeping Taaraa. Any sudden muscle movement would not escape its gaze. Remarkable. It has trained its whole AI model for this moment.\n\n\nAs for the mere master... The cat slinks into the stairway, once again casting Guidance In case another stealth job is required. She very, very carefully sneaks down the stairs – taking in all the weird sounds and smells as she slinks down towards their source, taking INCREDIBLE caution and making mental notes to her watchdog on the upper floor, keeping it well-informed should something go wrong; her dagger in its small sheath, glinting with the Blessing Placed upon its finely polished blade, Another potential escape option would be to gut, I guess...\n\n\nIs this even a good idea..? She questions, realizing now that she may be slightly too deep in now. No guarantee other than 'trust me' for information... No nothing. What even IS a 'Root-Crown'? Tabby begins to ask so many unanswered questions as she descends into the next floor of the tavern." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Sneaking down the stairs was indeed an idea of a rightfully-cautious vein, and one taken without fault. Yet, as Tabby continued to descend to the bottom of the staircase, she would, in an instant, realize that the notion would ultimately be worthless, as, upon descending about the fourth-to-sixth step, she would note a Pair of eyes, staring straight up at her." }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "Red eyes — customary of many individuals that Tabby had seen in the Vektet up until this point — stared watchfully up at the tabaxi, who appeared to be making her descent rather Stealthy. Extending her left palm to her side in a motion akin to a half-shrug, the young lady at the base of the staircase gave a wry grin toward the approaching individual within the stairwell. Stood at a rather above-average height of 175cm, the woman donned a relatively fanciful, yet not exorbitantly overflourished black dress, her head topped with a widely-brimmed black hat to match. Her lips, too, were thematically painted black, curled into an oddly-inviting, slightly sarcastic grin directed towards Tabby's caution.\n\n\"Oh, hell-O...\"\n\nHer tone was light, gentle, and yet not with a hint of innocence. Her voice was full of a deeper richness; a flavor of gorgeousness that granted the raw essence of her voice a sense of innate allure. Dragging the final vowel of her greeting with a fluctuating, coquettish tone in her breath, Reizaa's glare remained unbroken from the tabaxi, pausing, as she thought how further to conduct business.\n_ _\n\nHanging from between the index and middle fingers of her pale right hand, the woman held what appeared to be a long smoking-pipe, hazing with the subtle soot of an embered blend of herbs, its carcinogenic scent laced heavily with the drowning scent of Citrus. The woman tapped the base of the pipe with one of her slender digits — pristine, smooth, and boasting of long and pristine nails, elegantly painted a glossy black. She brought the pipe close to her face, yet would not take another huff of the hallucinogenic smoke drifting from its tip. Rather, she would simply bring the back of her right hand to her chin, the pipe hanging loosely some distance from her face, as she curiously stared at the cat-like stranger within the stairwell.\n\n\"Here, here. You haven't a need for caution, My lady,\" She spoke, her smile slightly growing, as she gave a light exhale from her nostrils.\n\n\"Step down, if you would. There's no need to be Afraid, Mm-hmm?\"\n\nReizaa's dim, red eyes squinted. Her smile persisted, yet her eyes, overshadowed by the brim of her hat, remained with a lingering caution in their gaze.\n\n\"Say, say— I haven't seen someone as fine and unique a young lady as You Around here. Pray tell, what brings you to the Merrymens'?\" \n\nBringing her left and right arms inwards, she tucked her arms folded, taking an instinctive care to not spill the remnants of the burning herbs within her pipe. Nonetheless, as her body-language would subtly suggest, she had her doubts about Tabby's sudden appearance, and, being stood at the base of the stairwell as Reizaa was, she would likely stop her entry, were the tabaxi's response to be... Off." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Alarm bells start ringing mentally in Tabby's head, prompting the Defender to... Well, ignore orders. Surely if it's just one person, Tabby is currently in no danger. If someone were yet to sneak up from behind, however, that would likely be catastrophic even WITH Alert. The Defender instead remains laser-focused, shifting its gaze from the sleeping barista towards the door, completely focused on the more important task. It is SO focused that it refuses to sit on another stool or... Awaken the clearly sleep-deprived woman to do her job. Surely nobody would mind if the robot sat there a while until the going gets real tough, right?\n\n\"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...\" The cat thinks quickly, Improvise, Tabby! Improvise!, before simply Following orders, ready to use her Guidance Should she be ambushed and require a slick Dexterity save or check. Jesus, she's taller than ME! \"Uhm.. . Well, thank you, you're not too bad yourself..\" Think, THINK.\n\n\"I- was looking for a manager?\" Her voice twinges at the end of her proclamation, \"Umm.. One of the employees here is napping on the job and won't wake up..\" The tabaxi rubs the back of her neck, playing sheepish with this encounter. I'm fucked, aren't I.\n\n_ _\n\"The reason I need one is...\" The bang from earlier.. \"The bang from earlier was the sound of someone accidentally breaking a stool at the bar stand, and... Wood splinters, and all that.. Yeah..\" Despite Tabby's uncertain tone, there was that loud noise earlier, hopefully lending credit to her alibi of just.. Needing a manager.\n\n\"I.. Don't know if you Are One, but, well.. It's a stepping hazard to guests to have all that everywhere.\" Ha! Hit them with the old safety problem. That should do it. Right? Rrrrrright?\n\n\"Just... Looking out for the other patrons, is all.\" At this point, Tabby seems to be talking herself in circles — either due to having poor social skills, a low Charisma Score, or otherwise — \"Cuz there's... Wood on the...\" She trails off into a mumble at the end, observing the woman's face closer and taking in the amount of effort put into matching the whole Aesthetic; and of course noting how the pipe would probably detract from her fashion sense. Not that Tabby has any of that, either, what with all the armor and clearly modified & patched up cloak. She clears her throat quietly, attempting to add to the facade she hoped to employ." }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "Reizaa's skeptical expression grew into one of an almost endearing nature as Tabby continued, her squinted red eyes matching the more eased curl of her inviting smile. The rosewood of her eyes warmed as Tabby danced about confused words in a careless pirouette of unstructured narrative and odd lines of reasoning, her speech unrefined, yet her intent like her very life relied on the excuse she conjured at the very moment. Her closed posture allayed in stance, her left hand hanging delicately at her side, as she once more extended her right hand in an outwards motion, holding the burning pipe a short distance from her cheek.\n\nHer cheeks would rosy slightly were they not to be so delicately powdered, pulled taut and upwards, her grin spreading into a full smile. \n\n\"Ahaha!\"\n\nShe gave a short, but hearty laugh in response to Tabby's nervous explanation. Shifting the brim of her fanciful hat downwards, Reizaa hid her eyes, and so gave a grin without the sight of her upper countenance withwhich to harmonize. From where she was standing, it was quite hard to ascertain the finely-dressed woman's reaction toward Tabby's hasty fibs. Yet, even with her visage hidden, it seemed that she was enjoying herself, in a way; she flourished the skirt of her dress, twirling delicately-some to the left, and delicately-some to the right. \n\nAs the fleeting moment of glee passed, her grin faded, and she adjusted again the brim of her hat, her eyes of rosewood lifting to view the tabaxi with amenable intent.\n\n\"I'm flattered, dear lady,\" She spoke, her smirk returning, as she replied to the tabaxi's half-hearted(?) compliment, taking a step back from the stairwell.\n\n\"And, Miss Taaraa, asleep on duty? My. I suppose she's earned it.\"\n\"In any matter, it's not as though we're even fully Open, At the moment.\"\n\nThe finely-dressed woman put a hand to her hip, continuing to stare up at the tabaxi within the stairwell.\n_ _\n\n\"You needn't worry, though. Come Right On down, my lady.\"\n\"Oh— but, if you're looking for Servicing, I'm afraid many of our staff are out. And, mm... We're on a bit of a Break, At the moment.\"\n\nReizaa gave a wink to the woman in the stairwell, quickly pivoting on her heel as she turned from the stairwell, stepping into the darkened room that was the 'basement' of the Merrymens'." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "With the finely-dressed young woman out of the way, Tabby would be allowed to continue into the lower floor, its strange, alien music growing closer and closer the further she descended the stairwell. Finally, once the tabaxi had entered, she would be greeted with the whole view of the bottom floor.\n\nAkin to the room above, yet simply darker, the lower floor boasted quite exquisite interior architecture of a fine, dark wood, and though slightly compacted in space, it seemed the lower floor had many more doors within its midst, likely reading to smaller, private back rooms. A small, elevated stage was positioned to the far-right of the room, and to the left, a bar — yet significantly smaller and with fewer drinks than the one upstairs. Only dimly lit by several lanterns positioned at each of the walls, the room had a much darker, yet more personal atmosphere, brought together by the close quarters of its smaller midst.\n\nUpon entry, Tabby would be met with a drowning blend of loud music — played by instruments unique to the Vektet's culture — and the potent stench of smoky citrus, a thin haze of smog permeating the atmosphere in an almost entrancing, murky, yet pleasant fragrance that tickled the nose and mind. It was almost a tad bit hallucinogenic to bring into one's lungs, numbing to the mind, yet joyful to inhale in its citrusy-smoky-sweet scent that calmed one's demeanor.\n\nThe longer she remained within the room, the more the smoke would permeate her mind; the more the smoke permeated her mind, the less overbearingly loud the music would grow. And speaking of the instruments—" }, { "author": "Trezue", "message": "—the one who played them—three in total, each with an entirely foreign shape and appearance, though one appeared to be stringed—was no more than a single man, playing all three with focusless proficiency that had mastered itself unto the point that it lacked the need for persistent, intelligent thought. Each of the instruments were as one part of his own body, and so he melodiously wove the loud, atmospheric music that dominated the lower lobby, his eyes closed as he did so, his body dead-calm, pallid, and only lacking of limpness for the fact that he continued to perform.\n\nThe man's closed eyes were blackened, his cheeks scarred, and his lower mouth covered entirely, wrapped-about by bandages that hid his lower lip and chin in their entirety. Wounded in body and soul was he, yet music was the vessel through which he made his soul known. His body was a mere accessory, and so he would continue to play, unflinching, and unnoticing of the stranger's appearance." }, { "author": "Rueq", "message": "A woman, most foreign in appearance — even within the standards of the Vektet — leaned atop the bar-counter, a pipe trailing with smoke positioned loosely within her hand. Her skin was almost teal in color, with a slightly lustrous gloss at its surface; her appearance was eye-catching and resplendent, and yet her displeased countenance detracted from the eminence of her appearance. She would lift lazy irises to view the one who entered, and briefly entered a moment of shock as she laid eyes on the tabaxi, instinctively pushing her body up-and-at-the-ready upon the sight of the stranger. Disquietedness, for lack of a better word, would rouse in her expression as she met the gaze of the stranger, her fingers nervously tapping the pipe against the bar counter.\n\n...Yet, in what appeared to be either a conclusion of frustration or of simple reasoning, the young woman scoffed, and turned her gaze from the tabaxi. Taking a short puff out of the pipe, she turned to one of the corners of the room — some distance from the bar, itself, yet close enough that the man, positioned within the corner and hidden in the shadows, could hear her following words:\n\n```diff\n+ \"Boss, I don't feel like dancing. Can you get this gal the hell out of here?\" +```\n\nShe spoke. Her voice was naturally high and softspoken — silvery, pleasant to the ears — and yet the tone she chose within the moment felt Tightened; Shrill and brittle in the moment, as if from one thoroughly annoyed and on the verge of being burned-out. Her odd eyes of a light-green settled on the man within the corner, whose figure was shadowed by the overall darkness of the room, awaiting an answer that she would not immediately be graced with." }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "\"Oh, don't be so Temperamental, Rueq. No-one asked you to dance. You — and I, and, well, everyone down here — are on Break. \"And that isn't changing Any - time - soon.\"\n\nReizaa smirked, slowly pacing to the side of Rueq, laying her emptied left hand atop the teal-skinned young woman's shoulder. With a nod, Reizaa peered up, and glared toward the man sat in the corner, continuing.\n\n\"And beside, 𝓥 already informed us of the State-of-affairs Within the Watch.\"\n\nThe woman's smile swiftly faded, her tone shifting into solemnity. She quieted the last three words of the sentence, closing her eyes, as she briefly took a humble puff of the herbal smoke into her lungs. She let it rest within her body, holding her breath, mouth, and eyes closed in a lingering moment, before finally releasing the herbal fume in a delicate stream of outwards-borne air. Following the prolonged pause, Reizaa continued in her explanation, her words deeply mellowed in tone.\n\n\"As the Boss said, these could be our last days within the Watch.\"\n\nPatting Rueq on the shoulder twice-again, the finely-dressed young woman paced away, making her way into the very center of the lower floor. Gracefully shifting on her heel yet again, Reizaa turned to view the stranger — the tabaxi, Tabby, likely still positioned by the stairwell — and spoke up:\n\n\"Anyway! Fine Lady, You did say you were looking for a manager. Is that so?\" —Reiza questioned, her smile returning with twice a nod.\n_ _\n\n\"Well, I'd ought to first confirm your... —hmm—... Your Business,\" She enunciated in excessive clarity, her tone almost sarcastic in nature — as though she was questioning the very thought, yet not in such a manner so as to scorn Tabby herself — \"Would be worth the Boss's time.\"\n\n\"Oh— well, that is... A measly Chair Wouldn't be... Quite enough. I'd hope you'd have... Better reasoning?\"\n\n Reizaa folded her arms, lifting her right hand to her mouth, as she took another brief puff of the pipe." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Half-hearted, it is not, but due to Tabby's nervousness, it makes a lot of sense how someone would think of it that way. She TOTALLY did not buy it. I KNEW I should've played the 'this is all a bad dream and the talking cat isn't real' trick..\n\nAs Reizaa steps back, Tabby tentatively takes a few small steps, enough to where she would be able to properly take in the room that was once partially obscured by the lady who remained in front of her at this very moment. As the woman suggests she step further down, she of course, does so, sensing no intent to endanger herself, which is a welcome sign — at least, for now. \"Not.. Fully open...\" She repeats, quietly. That's an interesting thing to say if the door is still open... As Reizaa speaks of the break, she outwardly nods in acknowledgement — something curt & polite, though with a small amount of worry laced in it. No amount of promising is going to convince this cat to give up the Alert Nature she typically employs, it seems.\n\nGuess this must be the break room... She thinks, taking in the well-crafted wood in this relatively small room. It's enough to make one jealous; If only the break rooms were like this back in the old Guild.. It is in that moment that the artificer realizes that Maybe Having alcohol in an easily-accessible workplace that deals in inter-personal goods Might Be a bit of an issue in other parts of the multiverse, her origin included.. The cat breathes in her first gulp of the hallucinatory smoke — Oh, shit. It's citrus.\n\n_ _\nCats, typically don't respond well to citrus; at least not the edible types. But, seeing as this is most-decidedly Not Edible, she figures she'll be fine... Besides, it's not like she has enough residual magic to conjure up her gas mask that she uses for some of her spells. \"That's pretty impressive...\" She whispers to herself absentmindedly in regards to the musician. Wonder what kind of bard college he went to to get that good... It's like magic to the ears..\n\nState-of-affairs, huh... Last days in the Watch. \"Well. . . The chair is, rather unimportant at this stage, but the man-or-thing-or-whatever-it-is that broke it is rather big and refusing to leave..\" Using her master position to her advantage, Tabby throws her robot buddy under the bus, if only for a brief moment before continuing on.\n\n\"I. . . Also need to know a bit of information... Something about a Root-Crown..?\" She phrases it with a similar tone to the uncertainty from before, yet, one could glean that she simply has No idea What's she actually talking about in regards to such a strange phrase. What the fuck is a Root-Crown and why did the church guy mention it? Why does he want Vaazva dead?" }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "\"The Root-Crown, You say...\"\n\nReizaa's eyes of rosewood squinted at Tabby as she spoke, and she placed a hand to her cheek, her right hand — holding the pipe — pressing against her hip. As if in a moment of thought, the finely-dressed woman paused, continuing in her squint, as she processed how exactly to manage the question. Tabby was, indeed, a stranger to the Vektet, and Reizaa could tell this from first glance. Familiarizing oneself with the local populace is inevitable, especially when one lives within it for well-beyond the average mortal's lifespan. Yet... She asked of the Root-Crown, and seemed to know at least a little about the First Floor. Hmmm...\n\nShe wasn't all too familiar with how outsiders Got into the Ark in the first place, But she could assume that Tabby likely came with some others. Would granting her the knowledge be troublesome? Or not? If all the outsiders were violent, would the tabaxi not have barged into the bar, guns-blazing? Or, perhaps, she was playing the long game? \n\n`No, no, Reizaa, you'd ought not to discriminate like that,` She thought, tapping her chin. The fine young lady before her hadn't shown any ill intent — yet, that was — so she truly couldn't make such rash judgments. With a lingering `hm-mm-mmmm...`, Reizaa pondered...\n\n\"You Know... I truly shouldn't rush to tell. My lady, I hate to impose this upon you — and do not take this insultingly, it is simply a matter of Precaution — but, we'd really ought to get more Acquainted Before speaking upon such delicate matters.\"}\n\nThis... Seemed the best course of action, at least to Reizaa. Delay the question for the time being, and, while maintaining control of the situation, gather more information on the patron before her. It may step on her toes to not give her an immediate answer, but she seemed courteous enough to oblige for but a few moments. With a nod, Reizaa motioned—" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "```fix\n\"𝙴𝚒𝚔𝚘𝚔𝚞𝚎'𝚜 𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚜. 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝-'𝚗-𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕, 𝚁𝚎𝚒𝚣𝚊𝚊, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎'𝚗𝚝-'𝚊 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚏 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑' 𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝.\"\n\"𝙸 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜, '𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝚂𝚖𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚗' 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚖𝚘𝚔𝚎 𝚠𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜 '𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙵𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚞𝚙-𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗.\"```\n\nAn imposing, deep, and rough voice speaks up, originating from the darkened corner of the room. Its origin revealed, a man with a golden mask slowly stood upright, donning a strange, black, robe-like set of apparel, embellished in every whichway with the boisterous and flagrant colors of gold and pearl. Slightly lifted, his mask left enough room to reveal the scarred lower-half of his face, raised enough so that he could take several, long puffs from the pipe in his hand. With one, good long huff, the man stared toward the tabaxi, his eyes of a familiar, peering, Golden yellow Piercing a gaze toward her very Soul.\n\nIn each motion that he made, and with every word that he spoke, he emanated the tangible presence of Authority. When he spoke, the three others within the bottom-floor of the Merrymans' were at attention, and, without even so much as moving a finger, he commanded the coordination of each, their eyes set on his striking form. If there were one worthy of the name Boss, it would certainly be the gold-clad man before them.\n_ _\n\nYes. There was none who could match the name better. This man was Vaazva — Yellow-Eyed Vaazva, A feared and respected man within the Watch. His golden gaze poked beyond Tabby's physical exterior shell and into the spiritual, his arcane eyes delving to view the deepest aspects of her personality.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚢'-𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝-'𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚝-𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗, -𝚞𝚑?\"\n\"𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚝 '𝚎𝚛𝚎, 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕-𝚎. 𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝙸 𝚊𝚒𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎 𝚝' 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚍𝚊𝚢'𝚜 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐. '𝙽 𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚝𝚘𝚘. -'𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚕-𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢.\"```\n\nThe masked man stepped up, and with a swaggering gait, made his way toward one of the stools positioned infront of the small bar-counter. Pointing down at the stool beside himself, he offered — or perhaps demanded — for her to take a seat.\n\n_ _\n```fix\n\"𝚁𝚎𝚒𝚣𝚊𝚊, 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍-'𝚢 𝚐𝚘 '𝚗 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚙𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚜, 𝚞𝚑? 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚐-𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚔... 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚕 '𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚋𝚎𝚍.\"```\n\nHe spoke, shooting a goldless glance to the one behind himself. His tone was much more comfortable when he addressed Reizaa; he respected her, and so she respected him. Indeed, he was a man worthy of the title Boss." }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "\"O-Kaaay, got it!\"\n\nReizaa gave a slight curtsy, shifting her grip on the pipe within her right hand, as so to tuck it and press it against her forearm. Slightly flourishing her dress, the fancifully-garbed young woman began to make her way up the stairs — but not before she first, and briefly, turned toward Tabby, staring at her with a word of warning.\n\n\"Please, don't waste the Boss's time.\"\n\nShe would speak not a word further, yet in her mind, would continue—\n\n`—for it is running short, already.`" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Tabby nods, quickly and smiles lightly \"Of course — no insult taken. If it's delicate information, I need to earn it fir-\"\n\nOh, fuck. There he is. Vaazva. The cat suddenly feels the vial concealed in her pocket a lot more prominently than before, debating in her head how best to do this, or if it was worth it at all. The man hasn't done anything and, if he truly had talked to someone else — which implies being truthful as, well, how else would he know there were multiple people in the group? \n\nInformation. That's all I need. Some kind of explanation to help decide what I'm gonna do about all of this.. Why does Vaazva need to die in order to kill the Crown? Why will the floor flip upside-down? Additionally, she takes note of the odd mask, likening it to that of the man she saw outside. They are certainly different in color — and perhaps in material, too from the looks of it, but the coloring of their robe Seems To have similar feel. I shouldn't be thinking all of this.. Who knows if the big guy's got some kind of Divination, too..\n\nThe cat bows politely in response to the boss standing up, unsure as to Why, really, but it just felt correct in this moment to show a little respect for someone as hulking and powerful as he. Thiiiis is someone I want to get the good side, with.. Despite this, his Arcane Eyes Reveal, if anything, that she would still be heavily pondering the churchgoer's request. So far, Vaazva is kind. He additionally gets the sense that Tabby is not one to just up and kill someone without a valid reason to do so, yes, Gaige included. \n\nSo, she sits in the chair Vaazva motioned to, bowing her head once more to him before firing off a telepathic message to her Defender, who stands up and promptly walks to a stool far from the one it just broke. Truly a master of espionage.\n\n\"Day of mourning and celebration..\" She repeats, \"Why's that..?\"\n\n_ _ \nOh, I'm not someone who wastes time talking to people.. Tabby replies mentally, outwardly nodding in acknowledgement at the words of Reizaa." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "The rather imposing man, made comfortable atop the stool within the bar, slowly took another huff of the pipe, imbibing its faintly-hallucinogenic smoke into his lungs, allowing it to linger as Tabby sat alongside himself. In the initial stages of their conversation, he would remain mostly quiet, listening to the tabaxi beside himself as she questioned, allowing her as much time as she needed to put her curiosities into words; Vaazva, while a man of pressing and incredibly commanding presence, did not so far appear to be the type to pressure others into doing his bidding.\n\nTime calms even the most uproarious of storms, to those ends.\n\nThe man exhaled, and lowered the pipe, taking a deep breath of the slightly hazed atmosphere of the lower lobby. He set his gaze to the empty bar opposite the stools, tapping the smoking-pipe longingly against the bar counter — he was seeking of comfort, yet the temporal distractions of drink and drug could not substitute that longing in his heart. His body had only grown burdened in the unending ebb and flow of time, and the coarsening of Age, Even within the blessing of immortality, had harshened his corporeal and spiritual form unto such ends that even the use of Taarei Was a futile endeavor to soothe it. Even still, the elder *VAazva's tongue thirsted for more drink to make him merry, and his lungs for the succor of the smooth, savory smoke of the embered herbal blend.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙼𝚗𝚗𝚐𝚑...\"```\n_ _\n\nThe golden-masked-man grumbled, scratching the back of his head with his left hand — which, now closened in sight, was revealed to be Lacking of a ring finger,* Cut at its base — as he delayed an immediate response to the tabaxi's question. Slightly peering at her from the corner of his eye, he took a hit of the smoking-pipe, composing an answer.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚃𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜'𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐.\"\n\"𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚑, 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚑... '𝚗 𝚎𝚛𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜-'𝚝 𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚗𝚍, '𝚗 𝚊 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑' 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎.\"\n\n\"𝚂𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚖𝚎𝚗, 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚎𝚍𝚐𝚎... 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍'𝚟𝚎-𝚊 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝.\"\n\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚢' 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚛𝚔.\"\n\n\"𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜'𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜 𝚝𝚑' 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝙾𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙺𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜-'𝚟 𝚂𝚘𝚕 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝' 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚢'-𝚝' 𝚋𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏𝚏.\"```\n\n...Vaazva paused, grumbling ocne again, as he took another deep breath in, sucking in the haze of the pipe. There was a deep, yet hidden sense of turmoil in his voice, as though he were contemplating extensively. He paused, closing his eyes, lowering the pipe as he let the smoke settle within his body, before finally exhaling, his posture shifting uncomfortably.\n\n```fix\n\"...\"\n\n\"𝚁𝚞𝚎𝚚,\"\n\"𝚃𝚛𝚎𝚣𝚞𝚎...\"\n\n\"𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚞𝚙𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚜.\"```\n\nA cleared, austere tone rang in sharp clarity, the man's characteristic roughness of voice broken by the sheer weight of the words he spoke. He continued to face the counter, yet it was clear that his eyes were sharply set on Tabby, the golden glow behind his mask multiplying vastly in intensity." }, { "author": "Rueq", "message": "The young woman would typically sigh at a request. But this time around, she knew better. Vaazva was... Serious. He typically was, but this request was Different. She composed herself, slowly standing from the stool, tidying her scant garb, before making a beeline for the staircase, ascending without a second glance backward." }, { "author": "Trezue", "message": "`...The music stops.`\n\n`\"ₘₘₘₙ\"`\n\nTrezue enunciated, his darkened eyes slowly opening. He limply, slowly — as if dazed — packed up his instruments, and made his way up the stairs some time after Rueq had already ascended." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "*VAazva took a slight breath in, and sighed quietly.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚃𝚘𝚍𝚊𝚢'𝚜 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗'.\"\n\"'𝙲𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝚞𝚙 '𝚗 𝚖𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜-𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗-𝚞𝚙𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗' 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚜'𝚟𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢.\"\n\n\"𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚜'𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚎-𝚝𝚑'-𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜.\"```\n\nThe pipe in his right hand snaps like a twig.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚈'𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠, 𝚐𝚊𝚕... '𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝... '𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛-𝚕𝚊𝚍 𝙸 𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚝' 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎...\"\n\"...𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍'𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝' 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗' 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎... 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚜—𝚗𝚊𝚢, 𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚊𝚐𝚘.\"```\n\nHe grit his teeth, his entire body seething with a virulent, cold anger. An anger that lied deep within, surfacing not; it boiled and bubbled, simmering at a level thirty-thousand leagues beneath his exterior shell of exterior composure. It was an anger so thoroughly concealed, so thoroughly stowed away, that VAazva himself had thought it no longer to exist.\n\nAnd yet, even despite taking such thorough lengths to stow away that anger, it was beginning to Return.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚛𝚢𝚒𝚗'-𝚝' 𝚜𝚊𝚢,\"\n\"𝚒𝚜... 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚘,\"```\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n```fix\n\"𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐭.\"```\n\nVAazva curled his right hand tightly into a fist, crushing the two halves of the pipe effortlessly in his grip.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n```fix\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕.\"\n\"𝙰 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐚 𝚘𝚏 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.\"\n\"𝙴𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎, 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜.\"\n\n\"𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚞𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚎.\"```\n\n__V__aazva glared sharply at the tabaxi beside himself. His eyes of a peering `gold` strengthened in their already overbearing gaze, each like the shining light of the sun, focused in an almost blinding light at Tabby's very Inner essence." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"Knowledge is the building block of everything in this multiverse.\" \n\nShe takes a deep inhale, unwilling to beckon her Defender forth to her defense. There's an easy answer to this accusation that would explain away even the most sickly stench that reportedly plagued her soul.\n\n\"I. . . Am not proud of the things I have done in my many years of being an adventurer, but I must have you know that felling the __Goddess Auril__* Was to save the countless lives of those in Ten-Towns, lest they and their kin be condemned to the Nine Hells..\" She responds, an indirect warning of strength laced in her words. Yes, Tabby's years in Icewind Dale were culminated into killing the Deity of Winter.\n\n\"Letting those who have no voice for themselves perish in an eternal winter that would not be quelled otherwise Doesn't sit right With me.\" She looks up, gazing him in the eye — a steely-cold look, to be sure. \"I did what needed to be done. No more, and no less. And if you have an Issue With that, I'm not sorry.\" She raises her arms in a shrug, tilting her head downward ever-so-slightly, keeping her eyes locked with the man who threatened her.\n\n\"The issue with felling a God where I come from... It's a tough feat. Do it wrong and they'll see you in a few years' time, back as if nothing ever happened. But how do you make sure that they're gone forever... I set out to find an answer to that question and put it into motion.\"\n\n\"The stench of death has lingered on my person ever since, But I only did it for the greater good. In my time here, I have only acted in complete self-defense; plant monsters arose from the forest and made an attempt on my life. If that's wrong of me to defend myself against those who would take my life, then I suppose I am truly rotten.\" She takes a deep, frustrated breath, standing up, \"But I have killed no innocent native to this village, and I don't Intend To, either. I hope that much's clear.\"\n\n_ _\nShe raises her chin towards him and continues. \"I, am only here for information, and to fulfill an obligation made with people outside of this Vektet. People who, you haven't met — and Never Will. Not any kind of 'Odysseus Corporation'', I mean Powerful People. People who know everything about anyone outside.\" Although her response is cold and calculated, the cat makes no aggressive maneuver outright. No vial, no dagger, no nothing. She intends to resolve this conflict with only her word to back her up.\n\n\"My deity watches over me, even in here. No amount of protection could potentially even pierce their unwavering gaze. Vaazva, I don't want to hurt you. I don't wish ill-will on you, nor did I come here with the express plan of doing anything rash. Hells- I found this place on accident while trying to find a Smith So I could work on my gear..\" \n\n\"So, to answer your question..\" She raises her hands to her sides and waves with them, putting them back down rather swiftly. \"You caught me. I killed a God to save Tens upon thousands Of lives. And Gods be damned, I'd do it again, too.\" She is very thoroughly disgruntled, making no attempt to hide her \"\"Misdeed\"\", but instead pointing out that in turn for one life, innocents everywhere were spared.\n\nHer defense, upon further inspection, would prove to hold up in whatever type of Divination Vaazva employed. Tabby did kill Auril, and feels justified in doing so. \n\n\"Now, let's talk about that maniacal Duergar. The one with a metal dragon who attempted to lay siege to multiple cities & towns. Are you going to fault me for that as well? Or, how about when we Actually had to defeat The beast?\" She taps her foot and crosses her arms. \"Was that wrong as well? Tell me, Vaazva, If you know so much, how did I feel seeing that thing burn houses and taverns to the ground? Do you think I felt good, seeing hard-working everyday people get turned into nothing more than a pile of ash or a blackened spot on the ground? Do you think — Maybe — that in retrospect, a small bit of bloodshed can be worth sparing others from everything someone like you or I has had to go through in our lives?\"\n\n\"I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that I'm wrong for wanting a better future, one where everyone is preferably Alive And not suffering from starvation due to crops and animals all dying out across the land.\"" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "The pulse and quiver of her lungs and diaphragm as she took breaths between speaking, the pump and flow of her heart pushing blood through her veins, the subtle increases and decreases in her brain's temperature as she continued speaking, and the very slightest shifts in her fur as she enunciated words — each aspect was on open display before his all-seeing eyes, and not only this much, but so too the very agitation of her Soul. With such concentration as he placed upon her form in his wrath that desired a just answer, he would not let a single detail pass. How She viewed Her own words was specifically that which he looked for; that which she said directly to Vaazva were a secondary, yet most definitely significant facet of her explanation.\n\nAnd with this clearness of understanding — of her intent, the connotations of her words, the point she was trying to convey... The words which Tabby spewed before him were Less than chaff; They were rather more like the revolting hum of cockroaches' wings in his ears. \n\nThe fact that she could spew such ignorant bullshit within his presence with only but a few quivers in her soul gave him Conniptions.*\n\n```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝.\"```\n\nVaazva's fingers curl against the form of the wooden bar ahead of him, his fingertips digging deep into its surface, crushing it with a ferocious wrath that seethed throughout the entirety of his body. The deep-rooted pains that he suppressed for centuries was beginning to manifest exteriorly — he was Slipping.* As though he were backpedaling on his own anger, he calmed the wrath which overtook his right hand, loosing the grip of his right hand's fingers.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝙸𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚡𝚒𝚕𝚎'𝚜 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐-𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝'𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚔, -𝚞𝚑?\"```\n\nGreater good. Those two, stressed words filled him with nothing but Wrath.\n\nAs the tabaxi stood, the dominating presence of the man only progressed throughout the dark, hazed basement of the bar. The seething anger pouring like the flux of disturbed magma throughout his veins struggled to restrain itself, his vessels bulging with a fierce pressure that pushed harshly from within.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚑, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚐𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗' 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚍.\"```\n\nHe warned. Twisting his right hand that seethed with wrath inwards, he bore the furled fingers of his right hand at his side, as though they were the ruthless claws of a wild animal. \n\n```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚐𝚘𝚍𝚜? 𝙰 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗' 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚘𝚗? 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗' 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 '𝚗𝚞𝚏𝚏 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜? 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚎.\"\n\n\"𝙽𝚘. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚝, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚒𝚖-𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚗𝚊𝚔𝚎. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗' — 𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚗' — 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑' 𝙰𝚛𝚔.\"```\n_ _\n\nHis tone wavered and shifted back-and-forth between the precise, discerning nature of his time as Veitvaazva, And that of the roughened, current era that he existed as Vaazva. He was once the Archregistrar, many years in the past, and yet now, he existed as some sort of pseudo-elder of a depraved hamlet who led by money, intimidation, and connections. The words which he so vulgarly slurred and contracted were that of his Present nature, And in the moments that he spoke with clarity and correctness beyond ordinary wit were those which he slipped to the former persona he so carefully tucked away.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚒𝚝𝚢-𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚕𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙳𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚜 𝙴𝚡𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚍𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜; 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜? 𝙳𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚍? 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐.\"```\n\nHis tone of refined austerity peeked beyond his roughened exterior again, and he continued, his tone of anger and disgust intertwined with each of his following words. He did not care for her extensive recalling of her virtuous deeds in the Past. He did not care to hear what she had to explain of her own character Before this point. In this moment, Yellow-Eyed *VAazva only cared for a Single detail.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝙸'𝚖 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚜𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.\"```\n\n```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚒𝚐𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎. 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍.\"```\n\nThe man spoke, in clear, black-and-white warning. In the moments that his fingers briefly curled, and his lower mouth, the sole portion of his face left to be seen by Tabby directly, flared, she could sense a doleful Lethal intent* Which resided within the elder.\n\nFrom where he was standing, he could very well fulfill that promise.\n\n```fix\n\"𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐎𝐭𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭?\"```\n\nHis eyes of a golden glare sustained in their all-piercing nature, honed in on the flow of the aspects of Tabby's soul. A lie to be told, the sense of aggression to manifest... He may very well find himself regressing to that despicable state he was in, so many centuries ago." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"I don't know who Kaataa is.\" She replies, simply. \"Otaaraa attacked someone else I know. The other idiot in the fight was going to get himself killed, so I assisted to bail him out before he got on a first-name basis with the local worms. Otaaraa struck first and damn near cut my head off.\" \n\nShe rebukes the earlier mention of Gods. \"I don't think myself better than Anyone Or anyThing. All I seek is knowledge. You asked what blood is on my hand, and I replied with complete honesty; you Know I didn't speak a singular lie, and you Know I'm not lying now. You yourself just admitted to your Divination magic — it fills the air so strongly that I can feel it without the need of a detection spell. You know the words I am speaking to be true.\" The cat lowers the tension in her vocal cords, still speaking strongly, but without malice — instead of taking the offensive, she pivots to the defense.\n\n\"I wholeheartedly admit that I shot Otaaraa the Eclipse Knight in order to save a blithering idiot who was throwing his life away by just trying to Punch Him.\"\n\n\"In a similar vein of thought, you Also Know that my intention with firing my crossbow was to make sure that dunce didn't up and die, and you know full well I was not the one who jammed a metallic fist into his temple But, we both know who Did.\"\n\nShe exhales, taking a deep relaxing breath. \"The only drop of blood I have Ever Spilled in this watch was done because that absolute fool couldn't figure out the Knight would dice him into pieces without me trying to bail him out. I did not go for lethal shots at any point. At the start of the encounter, you and I both know I prepared to cast the Sleep Spell to avoid the confrontation altogether before that got foiled.\"\n\n_ _ \nBecause Vaazva said not to move, Tabby helpfully obliges and refuses to move. \"And, you know that I don't have the foggiest idea who Kaataa is. You know everything that I've done since I came into this floor, and you know that I haven't even seen a 'Kaataa'. Unless they were one of the Desecrated, I have no information to shed on what happened to.. Umm.. Them?\" Seems that Tabby struggled on finding the proper pronoun; indicative that she has absolutely no idea who the powerful man who's threatening to squeeze her to death, is talking about.\n\n\"Does that satisfy you?\" She asks, remaining neutral yet clearly knowing the answer to the following question. \"You asked for the truth; did I lie at any point? Cumhall killed Otaaraa while I was trying to bail us both out towards the watch. The spells I used at first were non-lethal, and I tried to resolve the situation through Invisibility. Cumhall decided that attacking at close-range was a good idea, so I had to change to stagger-shots to make sure he didn't get himself killed. The knight did not make a warning, rather instead attacking outright and with haste.\"" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "```fix\n\"𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝙸 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢' 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚏𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚞𝚕𝚕𝚜'-𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝, 𝚋𝚎𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛.\"```\n\nIn the blink of an eye, in the swiftest shift of Vaazva's muscular structure, in such a short timespan that his motion almost entirely eluded the following of one's eyes, the elder lifted his right hand, fingers outstretched, to Tabby's neck, a virulent sense of dreadful hate and anger intertwined about his weaponized arm. He would hold it close in threat to her throat, yet would move it no further; the motion was as if lacking of any actual intent to kill her, existing simply to reminder her that he would not tolerate Lies.\n\nProgressively, as she continued speaking, the elder bit his tongue and withheld his seething wrath, his all-seeing eyes peering deep into the tabaxi's mentality as she spoke. The words that she rationalized were lacking of harmful intent — indeed, while not entirely Innocent, Per se, they were not words born of a deeper malicious intent. For the most part, what she spoke was true, and such truthfulness in word and in nature would serve, even if only a little, to quell the frightful man's hatred. He sighed deeply, and would speak not a word to interrupt her, and yet in the moment that she spoke the Very last sentence Of her explanation, hostility returned in a heartbeat.\n\nHe would have killed her for those words then and there, were she not to have spoken each sentence prior without a spec of intent to harm in her soul. \n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎, 𝚢' 𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗' 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚍.\"```\n\n*VAazva grumbled bitterly in his words, his tone rough, and yet without that austere, scouring wrath that was present formerly. In the few moments that he waited to listen to the artificer, the elder would cool slightly in his rage, retracting from such a point of rage that he could physically lash out at any moment, to one more of a simple bitterness; he disdained the outsider for what she had done, but would not take any sort of rash physical action in response. His piercing gaze softened, his eyes squinted, and he continued in his watch of Tabby, albeit at a relatively relaxed scope.\n\nHe could not let that Final statement* Slip, however. Tabby spoke, and, even without intent to lie, her mind and Soul, The essence deep within her, would testify against such. The deepest impressions in her spirit and memory that recalled the event would clash against the words that flowed forth from her mouth, regardless of whether or not she spoke in intent to give a false testimony; a portion of her mind recalled the event, and disagreed with the remaining constituents that formed the whole image of her testimony — her soul, heart, body, and the words, themselves. This Clash, This Disagreement In her mind and memory, was what was revealed to the all-seeing, golden eyes of *VAazva. The subtlest fissure within her testimony would be amplified sevenhundred-fold within his golden sight, even if she, herself, was unaware that it existed.\n\n Not only this, but the elder, himself, was familiar with the type of person that the Eclipse Knight, Otaaraa, was.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚝'-𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚗' 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝙾𝚝𝚊𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚗𝚘 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗?\"\n\"𝙳'-𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚐𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚍, -𝚞𝚑? 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛'𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚝𝚑'-𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚐𝚎?\"\n\n\"𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚒𝚜𝚎. '𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝-'𝚗-𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗' 𝚜𝚘.\"```\n\nVAazva clasped tight his outstretched right hand, as if restraining himself from further breaking out in anger.\n\n```fix\n\"𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎'𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝, 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎-'𝚗 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚝' 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛.\"```\n\nThe golden gaze peering from beyond his mask began to calm, quieting to such a point that it was only ever-so-slightly short from dying out, entirely. Either due to him deciding that the interrogation had concluded, or due to some sort of time-limitation on how long the spell could be actively maintained, it seemed that he would use the soul-scrying eyes from which his title was derived.\n\nStill, he had come to a conclusion.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙱𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝙻𝚞𝚗𝚊 '𝚗 𝚂𝚘𝚕 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠.\"```\n\n...He spoke, his tone of utter sincerity. There was no verdict more fitting. His fingers cracked slightly, as he longed to extend them forth, and to crush her throat where she stood.\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚜 𝚝'-𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚎-𝚢' 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑.\"```\n\nHis eyes and tone sombered, and he withdrew his extended hand, averting his gaze from the one to whom his anger was directed.\nThere was an era where he would have followed up on that verdict, within that very moment.\nOnce, he was a man—a man who thought himself righteous and just enough to take the lives of others, to be an Executioner,* And some sort of quixotic guardian of holiness.\n\nThose days are long past, now, and so he must relent.\n\n\n```fix\n\"𝙼𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚞𝚋𝚒𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚜𝚖𝚘𝚜 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚎𝚗𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚞𝚙𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍.\"\n\"'𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕, 𝚖𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎-𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢-𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚜.\"```\n\nThe elder's words were akin to those of a prayer — or, more precisely, a Curse. He, despite his appearances, was one who wholly followed the religious order of the Arue At one point in his life; their mantras and their beliefs were still burned deep into his soul. He, himself, having seen and boarded the Ark Alongside the dietous entity that was the `Taae Cheit Ezer`, was a man whose eyes were opened to the Beyond. That very same Beyond That he closely followed to — the aspects of the cosmos, of the Moon and Sun called Luna and Sol, and the Eclipse — he would make his judge.\n_ _\n\nIt was hard to forego the justice which he wished to enact by his own hands, but between him and the divine, it was clear who possessed Absolute Justice.\n\n```fix\n\"𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑, 𝚢'-𝚋𝚎𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚕𝚎𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚞𝚙𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚝' 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚜𝚖𝚘𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍.\"\n\n\"𝚂𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑-'𝚜 𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚜 𝚘𝚏𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚠 '𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚜 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚜 𝙺𝚞𝚎𝚔𝚊𝚝, 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗-𝚗'-𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.\"```\n\n\n*```fix\n\"𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐫.\"```" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "When Vaazva outstretched his hand to her neck, he felt no loss of vitality.\n\nAnd, in that very moment that he grasps her neck, Vaazva loses sight of her soul reading, As if it never existed to begin with.* A soulless being now stood before the man who could see it all, and it was refusing to budge even the slightest detail. In a flash of electricity — not from the feline herself, evidently — the amulet under her armor begins to glow, revealing its presence to the immortal. Despite the inability to tell what exactly just happened, a single name runs through the mind of those in the room.\n\n\"Master's Amulet.\"\n\nTabby's body, acting on its own with absolutely zero input from the person in charge, extends her gauntlet hand — Chnk — a solid metal disc flying and skidding to the ground. In the very next instant after Vaazva finishes his speech, he finds himself face to face with a hulking creature, black stones decorating its ornate body. In that moment, instinctually, Tabby apparently cast Mending, her eyes widening as she does it, allowing another glimpse back into her soul for the man. She did not mean to do this in the slightest. \n\nIn the same amount of speed that the man grasped her throat, he now finds an entirely soulless construct has Lifted him off of his feet by his neck, and slammed him like a sack of potatoes into the nearby wall, caring not for the wellbeing of the person who Dared to attack the amulet. The stones around the being's neck, to any experienced adventurer in the Forgotten Realms would be revealed as the legendary gemstone Chardalyn, an incredibly powerful magic-neutralizing agent. No amount of magical energy would save Vaazva from being torn limb-to-limb for daring to attack the wearer of the necklace.\n\n_ _\nPinning him against the wall, the construct slams its free fist into the man's masked face, knowing full well that Abjuration Or faux Divinity Would be a non-issue to the absolute laying down of the law that was about to ensue.\n\nThe cat, on the other hand, shakes her head, snapping out of whatever had just occurred. \"Wwwwhat...?\" Her soul comes fully back into the playing field, revealing to the Divination at play in the man's eyes that she had gone unconscious for a few seconds, another entity taking over entirely and guiding her actions to this outcome — Protecting her at all cost.\n\nYes, the suddenly-appearing entity is Tabby's Shield Guardian, assigned to protect her amulet—and by extension, her— by any means necessary. Seeing this entity manifest, Tabby is able to draw her own conclusion, unsheathing her dagger and mentally willing her Steel Defender to join the fray from upstairs. From where Vaazva is pinned against the wall, he can hear the booming steps of the other golem slamming through the bar; being considerate enough to not let the wood splinters from such an event hit the sleeping Taaraa, of course. This Defender is truly a gentlemen of the highest degree, and slam its body through the door, heading to the basement where it prepares to additionally lay a smackdown on the man who just tried to choke out the master. However, should any of the kind staff members try to stop its advance forward, they would promptly find themselves in a pile on the ground as the robot dedicates itself to the task\n\n\". .. Well, isn't this an unfortunate situation for you to be in...\" The artificer remarks, no remains of kindness or neutrality to be found in her voice as she slides her dagger across her finger, examining the intricacies that would bring about his end. \"I have no idea what just happened, but, I think I'm okay with this. Unless you have any choice words you want to rescind, of course.\"\n\n_ _\nLike Vaazva did with the cat, the Shield Guardian Tightens its incredibly strong fingers around the man's windpipe, a layer of dense Abjuration Swelling from the crystals should he attempt to use his raw strength to get out of this Predicament He now found himself in. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see the Defender turn the corner and crack its knuckles, as if sunconsciously, the cat still took notes on what exactly transpired. In her voice is no lie, however. No, this was the work of some \"\"Higher power\"\" Entirely from the spellcaster's point-of-view.\n\n\"Now, tell me... Easy way, or hard way?\" A very simple, yet foreboding question to be sure." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "In the moment that her soul vanished, in the moment that the atmosphere shifted, in the moment that the disc extended, and in the moment that a new Threat Was about to manifest, there was no amount of rust or age that could cause his extraordinarily-honed senses to slow or waver. He Saw it, felt it, heard it — a Threat. The enemy before him was going to attack. In the position of vantage that he was placed in, his fingers would tremble, his body, within the single heartbeat that her gauntlet deployed the disc, would rumble with an almost purely-autonomous self-defense instinct that would drive him to kill her in a single instant. Her soul had disappeared from his sight, and some sort of trickery was afoot; in the following moments, she could attempt to shift into combat, and bring about an end to his life. To protect himself...\n\n*Did he have any other choice?\n\n...Before the disc had even contacted the ground, before even a sixteenth of a second passed, the impulsive instinct that pulsed throughout his body would suggest that his fingers claw Inwards.* His muscular structure, while degraded over many years of idleness, had not lost its beastly edge; it craved to work in tandem with his eyes and instinct, and to exert itself to the utmost of his ability. Years upon years of training, decades upon decades of service, as the Tribunal's Eye of Providence — the leader of the Order of the Left Hand — would not only Allow him To bring about an end to her life, but would Demand him to. His fundamental nature, and his very body, demanded that he kill her, Here, and now.\n\n*`CRACK`\n\nBut he would not.\n_ _\n\nAs his glistening eyes settled upon the soaring form of the disc, and as he witnessed the technological manifestation of the Shield-Guardian appear before his very eyes, he, with the whole of his conscience, withheld his hand from taking Tabby's life where she stood. His fingers cracked with the stress of suppression, and his teeth clenched harsh as he refrained from regressing to that bloodthirsty persona he desperately fettered away so many years ago.\n\nThere is a new threat before his golden eyes, and indeed, the one who he spared would continue to escalate the situation; to pounce upon the moment of weakness that he showed.\n\n...This failure, still, proved his strength of will.\nHe had other choices.\nHe did not have to Kill* Outsiders as he did before.\nHe was free from those old bonds of bloodlust...\n\n...But, still...\n\n*Did he judge correctly?\n\nVAazva's body, in that moment of hesitation, was allowed to slam against the wall. In either the clutching of his throat or in the brutal impact that pressed him against the solid surface, he would not choke nor flinch, and instead would rest his right hand upon the metallic surface of the technological monstrosity that clutched him. His eyes, while not detached from the world Here and now,* Were concerned with things other than Just His immediate surroundings.\n\n`You outsiders are all the same.`\n_ _\n\nHis golden eyes settled on the artificer as she spoke, hazed, and lacking of the intensity of the arcane that they once possessed. It was apparent, now, that he had employed them to the limit of their capacity; the spell that manifested the all-seeing gold of his irises had run its course, and thus would require a considerable period of time to renew in strength. Even still, by the virtues of both his base nature and his mastery of the golden Eclipse Prayers, his eyes would remain continuous in a form of enhanced sight, gleaming with hateful intent at the outsider whose nature shifted before his very eyes.\n\n`In all my years...`\n`I should have learned already.`\n`Ambition corrupts absolutely.`\n\n*VAazva sneered. In his mind, there rushed many-dozens of thoughts that coursed at an amplified pace, each compounding upon one another in an infinitely-accelerating succession of logic that could only be enabled by such a mind that was worthy of the title Archiregistrar.* Each component, each threat, each ability, and each event that had been shown and had occurred up until this point hastily passed through his lens of focus, coordinating themselves into complex reticulations of brilliant strategy — battle-knowledge, extreme intelligence, and elder wisdom being the mediums through which they were organized. As he was being threatened for his very life, he did not show fear nor panic, and instead Calculated. He formulated, in milliseconds, what to do, what to prioritize, and why...\n_ _\n\n...And even within these dozens of simultaneous lines of logic, not a single instance revolved about the saving of his own life, or the taking of Tabby's.\n\n*`Reizaa, Rueq, Taaraa, and Trezue...`\n`Those four are still upstairs.`\n`In the best-case scenario, I eliminate the threat before the collateral damage of combat spreads upstairs.`\n`In the worst-case scenarios, they are either taken as hostages, or killed in the crossfire of our combat.`\n\n`I won't risk anything.`\n_ _\n\nWhether or not she could detect it, would, nonetheless, be irrelevant, were she to be incapable of Dodging* It. \n\nA normal human pushed to their physical limits and trained in martial arts would be capable of replicating such an attack in a fashion that it would effortlessly ground all but the strongest and most robust of creatures. Such a strong, diagonal axe-kick would, in a traditional battle, send one into a state of shock, likely forcing them to their knees. *VAazva, were he to be a normal person, would, in this strike, likely forcefully push her off-balance, if not crush her to the ground, entirely.\n\nVAazva was not a normal person.\n\nRather, the force of his kick\nWas more akin to that of a beast's.\n\nThe bone-splintering downwards force, were it to collide with its target whatsoever — or, hell, if she were to instantaneously manifest a Shield forged of iron* And block with it — would nonetheless impart such tremendous momentum into her body that it would likely Break bone, Sending her body tumbling into a brutal downwards motion, likely forcing her into a daze for moments on-end.\n\nTo Crush And to Disable, Even if temporarily, was all he was aiming for, in the end.\n\nAs the downwards-swing of the axe kick concluded, be it by her miraculously dodging or by his strike forcefully connecting as he intended it to, the shroud of darkness that covered *VAazva would momentarily depart. He would not miss a beat, however — before allowing either of the technological monstrosities or even Tabby herself to take reaction to his sudden repositioning, the man, in the moment that his foot touched the ground following the axe-kick, would break into Full sprint.* His course was set toward and beyond the Steel Defender — towards the Exit. \n_ _\n\nBolstered by such speed and dexterity that he, empowered by borderline transcendent heritage, would evade all but the sharpest of eyes, the man broke into an instantaneous full-sprint-dash of 49.4 km/h towards the stairs. His posture was set low, and his footwork was bolstered by his immaculate precision and excellent eyesight. He twisted and weaved beyond the Defender, his body in a state of nigh-intangibility as he eluded all touch and interaction with anything that might block his way. Physically, he was unmatchable, and magically, he was made as though he Was not even there. The likes of either the Defender or the Guardian, likely lacking the precision, dexterity, speed, and intellect that he possessed, would be incapable of outmaneuvering him, even if they were two in number.\n\nBefore one could blink, he had already made his way into the stairwell. The room was small enough to allow him to traverse it in but a single instance, and so he began his ascent. He fled, not out of fear for his own life, but out of a Need To defend those upstairs.\n\n*`I'll negate all risks.`\n\nThree seconds had not yet passed, and Vaazva had already made his way to the top of the stairs, into the main lobby of the bar. His golden eyes scanned carefully, ensuring that each of the four were accounted for, and were maintained in relative wellbeing. With a sigh of relief, yet still the nature of haste in his breath, the man turned to the door behind himself, Slamming it shut,* Before following-up by Kicking and shattering its lower hinge. It would do little to prevent the door from simply being kicked down, yet would serve as a slight delay to those who would attempt to open the door traditionally.\n\nStill in life-or-death tempo, he yelled out:\n\n*```fix\n\"𝚁𝚎𝚒𝚣𝚊𝚊! 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚁𝚞𝚎𝚚 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚍-𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎!\"```" }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "The woman would find alarm in the Boss's sudden appearance upstairs. Her irises of rosewood fluttered in shock as she blinked rapidly, the man appearing before her very eyes with a posture of shock and adrenaline. It looked as though he were fighting for his very life!—And yet, she expected this much.\n\nWorry had already taken its onset as she first laid eyes on the... Strange machination upstairs, its eyes set focused on Taaraa, and even moreso as it began to descend. VAazva's sudden appearance and warning was only a confirmation of her suspicions. Without further a word needed to be said, She understood.* For she, in her many years working alongside the Boss, had grown attuned and trusting of his nature. He would Never Make a false judgment.\n\n\"Come, dear, let's make haste.\"\n\nShe turned swiftly to Rueq, at her side, grasping her by the right hand. With just as much swiftness as the Boss warned her, she made haste towards the front door, opening it and rushing out with her peer in-tow." }, { "author": "Rueq", "message": "```diff\n+ \"Hey—𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵!! I'm still on break! Where are we going—?!\"```\n\nShe struggled as Reizaa gripped her arm. She was in the middle of taking a long inhale from the pipe when *VAazva arrived, and suddenly being dragged up and off the chair, onto her feet, and out of the door, would come with quite some alarm. Rueq initially resisted Reizaa's dragging... But such efforts would be futile. Reizaa had far much more strength than her delicate frame could justify. \n\nHer eyes of a foresty green darted with alarm about the bar as she was escorted out. Her feet dragged, and yet, as she met gazes with the Boss, she would swiftly come to an understanding. Rueq, though much more detached from interpersonal relations within the bar's work environment, still wholly respected the elder that led it. With a deep breath in, she would let go of the pipe, and walk alongside Reizaa, departing in haste from the bar." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "Half. He had only gone Halfway.* There were still Two more That needed to be removed from the bar, and both were in a state of haze. Taaraa was all but in a coma; she was so fastly asleep that even his frightful yell was not enough to wake her. And, opposite to Taaraa herself, was Trezue — a man so feeble and weak that he could hardly muster consciousness at any given time, let alone stand and run on his own two feet. He was the type to break bones following the slightest of falls... Neither he, nor Taaraa, could flee of their own accord.\n\nStill, he needed to protect them. The outsider had proven herself a threat, and there may very well be more of her ilk within the Watch.\n\nThere was nothing that could be done about it. Dashing to Trezue, he grasped him by the collar, before hoisting him up and over his right shoulder, with a slight protest—" }, { "author": "Trezue", "message": "`\"ʷᵃʰʰᵃᵃʰʰʰᵘʰ\"`\nA quiet breath of dazed alarm raised from his weak lungs." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "—but he would not falter. With Trezue in tow, he dashed and jumped over the bar counter, hoisting up the unconscious-impromptu-fill-in-barkeep, Taaraa, in likewise manner. With her on his left, and Trezue on his right, *The elder dashed for the front door, rushing from the midst of the Merrymans'* In record time. To catch up with him would be all but entirely impossible." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "In the darkness, Tabby finds herself falling to her knee - slammed from behind even at the best attempt of her Defender's deflection; an illusory darkness seems to be the only veil capable of hiding Vaazva from their keen & programmed senses, yet one among the group of three does not falter even in the midst of all this kerfuffle.\n\nThe Shield Guardian has blindsight*, so although Vaazva makes his escape, he finds himself proven correct that a barricade so painfully amateur as a Broken door hinge* Is quite easy to fool indeed, the Guardian simply pressing its full weight into the door and causing it to forcefully move, snapping off the other hinge as the horrifying creature causes it to swing wildly into the wall, revealing itself very swiftly to the people Vaazva desperately wanted to keep alive. Not that they were part of the task, anyways. The Guardian, knowing that its amulet was in tact and kept safe by the other robot, does not give chase over the counter, but it does walk through it like the Steel Defender did when it was attempting to get down the stairs, watching the man abscond without a care in the world. That is not its intended purpose.\n\nThe cat, in a mere few seconds, has fallen to the ground, her footing being pushed out from under her by the Defender as it shoves her out of the way of the attack. Who said that it had to actually make contact with the target for the reaction to be taken? Even though Vaazva's kick evade's Tabby's feline reflexes, it does not dodge the Programming Of the bot, whose only purpose is to defend the master at all cost.\n\nAnd so, reeling from the sudden explosion of action that just occurred, Tabby finds herself at a loss. Seems like every in this damned Ark has some sort of fancy trick. No matter. Tabby will not let such a disgustingly depraved human live in this world, as per the decree of her deity," } ]	461	42,136
538.285714	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`A study filled with empty bookshelves. A residency long-abandoned, one which has been reclaimed by the azure forest that surrounds. Crystals of obsidian hue grow from the ceiling and the floor, interrupting the fragile, aged woodwork of its interior.`\n\nOnce the Weaver would regain consciousness, he would find himself in the midst of the empty study. The Root-Tender, Kaareish, was nowhere to be seen, and all that surrounded him was the quiet atmosphere of the study, its bookshelves long-since emptied in violent manner. \n\n`ʳⁱⁿᵍ`\n`ʳⁱⁿᵍ`\n`ʳⁱⁿᵍ`\n—the familiar sound of the silver chime echoes through the atmosphere, and the air is enshrouded in an odd darkness, each of the obsidian crystals flaring with peculiar tenebrous in response. The obsidian hums with a resonance that seemed to call to the Weaver, as if it was Summoning his touch.\n\n Heresy Was indeed a fine word to describe the nature of the writhing and inexplicable darkness which surrounded him, as well as the parasite-upon-a-parasite that was the crystalline obsidian growth. Yet, even more peculiarly, that Heresy Begged one's inner curiosity — it was like a question, begging to be answered.\n\nWhat secrets do this study hold?" }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "The Weaver wouldn't wake for a long, long time. Maybe time distortion applied to this realm, but in the realm he was, the room would be dead still for a while. After all, he'd just pushed his body to it's limit. If anything, he needed to rest, maybe a long time, maybe even forever.. It didn't seem like he was very alive, but it's not like anyone was nearby to check on him..\n\nHis fingers started to move, first. He clenched both hands and pushed himself to sit, recuperating from the place he'd just been in and what he'd done to get here. The memories came back.\n\nThe three wooden fingers were still there. And he could recognise a bit of his surroundings, despite being so foreign in nature.\n\nHe was alive.\n\n\nOf course, he didn't waste any further time with standing around, he didn't know how long he'd slept for. Days? Weeks? He couldn't make out an answer.\n\nWhat he did know though, is the crystals in the room with him. It was calling for him. He didn't know if something sentient was in it, but he could feel an attraction towards it.. But he refused to get close.\n\nHe knew where he was. And despite meeting the Tender and learning that not everything here was hostile, it didn't mean that it was a good thing. Every person has a different side despite their best tries at being good in nature. It's common in everyone, and maybe it was his attempt at capturing him to be jailed to this forest forever..\n\n..Still, he couldn't help but get closer. His steps were weary, but he was curious and full of wonder. What power did this crystal hold that it can call for someone? And why him specifically? He got closer to learn.\n\nRight as he was about to do the movement to pick the crystals up, he stopped. This didn't feel right. \nWalking to a forest of dreams and heresy, and passing out of exhaustion only to wake in a room in the source of it's heresy.. It didn't feel right..\n\nBut, his intrusive thoughts took the best of him.\n\n\nHe picked up an obsidian crystal, gazing into it." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "```ini\n[ ʰᵘᵐᵐ ]```\n\n__Curiosity killed the cat.__\n\nThe Red Weaver is tempted beyond his better judgment, and takes hold of the obsidian-hued crystal. \nAnd as he does so, its resonance amplifies tenfold — nay, a Hundred-fold — the whole of the room echoing with the vibrations of its systematic, crystalline, and orderly nature. As though he had evoked the cries of a hundred glass instruments, a piercing sonority rang in its piercing knell through the wooden interior of the study, shattering the delicate peace and silence which it once held as sanctuary for so many years prior. Yet, as loud and as piercing as the shriek of the obsidian crystal's resonance was, it was undeniably Coordinated — as if orchestrated, each individual frequency, each individual chime within the greater cacophonous whole of the multipitched sonority, rang in an individual resonance; orderly; Crystalline; Systematic.*\n\nIn its early stages, it hurt the ears. In its later stages, it grew more and more resonant, subtler in its pitch, and its frequency honed to a single, consistent point, as it progressed to such a fine wavelength that it could no longer be detected with merely one's human senses. The atmosphere went deathly still, shocked solid by the refined resonance of the crystal's echo. \n_ _\n\nAs though it had __tuned__ the world around itself to its particular frequency.\n\nDarkness roused. A darkness familiar to the one that he had seen earlier, shrouding the forest floor of the azure domain prior, began to spring forth from the obsidian vessel that was the crystal clutched within his palm. It spread forward rapidly, clouding the ground immediately beneath and around the Weaver, rapidly continuing in its unhindered progression to surround the Weaver, as he could do naught but stand and witness. Soon, it formed a vague, domelike structure, amorphous and smokelike in form. But, akin to the honing of the crystal's resonance, the structure, too, stabilizes. What is first like a smoky substance soon shifts to a state akin to liquid, and from liquid to solid. Finally, a smooth, pure-black, sheenless dome formed about the Weaver, severing him from both sight and sound of the world around him.\n\nHe is alone, now, in this domain of vantablack, his palms tingling with the subtle vibrations of the obsidian crystal, as a peculiar numbness begins to set into his clutching digits' flesh. A peculiar energy begins to course from the crystal in his clutch, echoing throughout his body, as he soon realizes—\n\n—He, too, is being __tuned__.\n\n\n`The Weaver is attuned to the nature and memories of another.`\n_ _" }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "The reaction of this crystal was violent for him, stressing him before it tuned him too to the hue of someone else. He snapped back when it was over, looking at the shattered crystal in his hand..\n\n..His hand was trembling.\n\nHe was taken aback from the experience he just had with just a crystal. From what he could gather in that glimpse of a moment, these aren't crystals, these are memories.. Encased in a crystal..\n\nMemories of someone discovering these crystals, and then using them.. If it weren't so, why else would they be sealed here to be remembered?\n\nIs this what the Tender wanted to show him this whole time? Has he maybe not broken the seal of these crystals himself? He didn't know. And it just made him crave for more answers. Answers with questions, and the answers from those questions raising more questions to get more answers to get even more questions to..\n\n..He was getting lost in his train of thoughts.\n\nStill, it didn't seem like this obsidian is the most friendly thing, if the person who found this and merged their memories with the crystals is here to tell the tale today. Maybe he was consumed by it. Maybe it's just the Tender wanting to tell his story in a really wacky way.\n\nOnly one way to find out.\n\n\nHe had quite the choice now, and he didn't really know where to begin. There must be a pattern to how these things grow..\n\nHe approached a crystal closest to him. The gut feeling was now gone.\nIt wasn't that bad, it's just telling a tale.. Right?..\n\nThe Weaver took the crystal in his hand, preparing himself for another trip down memory lane. Memories which aren't even his." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "```cpp\n'He whose eyes are bound—'\n'—Not for blindness, but for opposite; of still-developing eyes'\n'A sage who holds knowledge of all things greater'\n'Yet matured no more than ten years of age'\n\n\"𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞.\"```\n\n\nPeculiar.\nThe crystal hasn't yet shattered.\nThis one's form is bolstered, its tomes of information still soundly held within.\nIt pours forth, like a waterfall—\n\n```ahk\n:✺ THE ARUE ✺ THE SIGN OF THE SOLAR ECLIPSE ✺ SOL ✺ LUNA ✺ EIKOKUE ✺ THE MOON-MOTHER ✺ THE WAXING MOON ✺ THE WANING MOON ✺: \n\n: All things in this world :\n: are bound by Unity and Disparity. :\n\n: ✺ THE TAAE CHEIT EZER ✺ THE TRIBUNAL ✺ THE VEIROK ✺ THE ARCHITECT ✺ THE MAIDEN OF THE FULL MOON ✺ THE SOLAR GUARDIAN ✺ :\n\n: All these pieces of a greater whole :\n: are tuned to the same dream :\n: A dream with a resonant frequency :\n: A dream of the eternal :\n: And a dream created by :\n\n: ✺ ········· ✺ :```\n\n```cpp\n\"𝐘𝐨𝐮.\"```\n\n`ᴀ ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅꜱ, ꜰʀɪɢʜᴛᴇɴɪɴɢʟʏ ᴀᴡᴀʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇᴀᴠᴇʀ'ꜱ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴄᴇ`\n\n```cpp\n\"𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.\"\n\"𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐧𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.\"\n\"𝐘𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐨𝐨. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐨—\"\n\n\n\n\n\"—Ｉｗｉｌｌｓｕｂｊｕｇａｔｅ.\"```\n\nThe tenebrous about the Weaver begins to violently shift. The tuning hum of the obsidian crystal splits asunder, the glassen frequencies of its echoing howl dissonantly shattering the still atmosphere about him, as he feels his body begin to fundamentally—\n\n`Slap!`" }, { "author": "Kaareish", "message": "```ini\n[ \"𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎.\" ]```\n\n—the domelike surrounding of darkness about the Weaver disperses in an instant, as the blindfold-clad sage disarmed the Weaver of the obsidian crystal with a forceful slap. \n\n```ini\n[ \"𝙸 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙.\" ]\n[ \"𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎, 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚎𝚎? 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔? 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕?\" ]```" }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "He was unresponsive, but for a good reason this time.\n\nWhat the hell did he just see, think, and hear?\n\nWhat are those crystals reflecting?\n\nIs he even.. Safe?\n\n...\nAll things in this world are bound by Unity and Disparity..\n\nHe didn't know what to do or even say. He rose his head up at the Tender and just stared. His expression couldn't be seen from the shadow of his cloak, but it was pretty obvious that he was dumbstruck to being mute.\n\n..He started thinking about it.\nIf he wanted him to see the truth for himself.. This magic, this.. Absolute heresy..\n\n...\nHe slanted his head down.\n\n\"..Kaareish..\"\n\"..What do you seek..\" \"..By showing me this?\"\n\n\"..Did you pick those crystals up yourself?\"\n\n\"And.. How.. Did you know.. I was starting to fall to the crystal's tune..?\"\n\nThe words of the being who addressed him replayed in his head again.\n\n\"..Were you subdued by..\"\n\n..No, no.. He didn't finish his question.\n\nHe wouldn't want to hear the answer.\nHe wouldn't." }, { "author": "Kaareish", "message": "```ini\n[ \"What is it that I seek? ]\n[ \"What is it that you seek?\" ]\n\n[ \"Mmm.\" ]```\n\nKaareish spoke hastily in response to the Weaver's initial question, as though it were his first impulse to breathe not an immediate answer, but an immediate Question,* In return to the Weaver's own query. Such was how Kaareish structured nearly all of his interactions with others — first, a question. Then, another question which guided them to a wholer truth. \n\nThis time around, however, he seemed slightly unsure; he appeared as though he pondered against his first response, a light hum resonating in his throat as he went quiet, for a moment, his blindfolded gaze averted from the Weaver. Introspection was natural in his way of being, yet not in such deep abstractions of prolonged silence. A concerned aura grew thick about the Root-Tender as he placed his finger to his chin, manifold thoughts and preponderances racing through his head, one-after-another. \n\nSomething, one way or another, appeared to bother Kaareish. Something which he did not reveal.\n\n```ini\n[ \"No, I would be straight with you...\" ]\n[ \"...That would be better for my pursuit.\" ]\n\n[ \"𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩.\" ]```\n\nTaking a subtle, slow, but deep breath in, the robed Root-Tender, Kaareish, turned his back to the Weaver, slowly pacing away from him and back toward the doorway of the room from which he emerged. The study resonated perpetually with the echoes of the crystals' whispers and ethereal mutterings, both such premonitions Kaareish would firmly shut from his mind. Still deep in thought as he continued to walk away from the Weaver — so to lead him just beyond the imdst of the study — the tender lowered his hand from his face, and folded both of his arms behind his back.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"I will answer you in outright.\" ]\n\n[ \"Forgive me if I come off as selfish, but my true intent, here, was to further scry into the mystery of those twilight crystals. A parasite-of-parasites; a parasite that tunes.\" ]\n\n[ \"It was not me that brought such a heretical being into existence.\" ]\n\n[ \"But I was the one who granted the truth necessary to make its adumbration a reality.\" ]```\n\nKaareish stepped beyond the doorframe of the study, yet did not continue far enough beyond it to allow the Weaver to follow him entirely out of the room. It seemed that he still had business with both the Weaver and the study in which he awoke.\n\n_ _\n```ini\n[ \"I have stated it once, and I will state it again, so to make things clearer, this time around.\" ]\n[ \"My name is Kaareish.\" ]\n[ \"I am a Root-Tender. One baptized in the lucid deluge of the Veirok, and trained in its doctrine from the day I first cohered thought.\" ]\n[ \"I exist solely to unveil the greater truths of the Ark, and the reality through which it voyages.\" ]\n\n[ \"Before you, there were two others. The Pilgrim, and the Prince who preceded him.\" ]\n\n[ \"To the Prince, I granted all manner of understanding of Unity in Disparity, the very concept which binds the Veirok — the divine, azure root.\" ]\n[ \"And with this knowledge, he sprung forth the heretical tuning crystals. The resonant crystals of twilight which challenge the very essence of our reality.\" ]\n\n[ \"It was not under force that I did so.\" ]\n[ \"I granted this Prince the knowledge he sought so that I, myself, might see what would follow after his discovery. His discovery of 𝘢 greater truth, which would lead me to 𝘵𝘩𝘦 greater truth.\" ]\n\n[ \"The mysteries he unraveled——those which comprised hints of the hems of this Ark's existence——I could not ascertain.\" ]\n[ \"For my duty as Root-Tender forbids me to interact with such heresies.\" ]\n\n[ \"I sought through the Pilgrim to unveil such hidden truths, to no avail. When he saw for himself what was in those twilight crystals... He never spoke to me again, and continued beyond this forest. To pursue greater heights. To pursue greater truths...\" ]\n\n[ \"...And so, the present finds both you and I, here. You are the third visitor to this forest, and though you certainly will not be the last——\" ]\n\n[ \"Perhaps you are the last opportunity I have, to see those secrets for myself.\" ]\n\n[ \"I ask you again.\" ]\n[ \"What did you see?\" ]\n[ \"What did you think?\" ]\n[ \"And, how does it make you feel?\" ]```" }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "Well, he's glad that at least Kaareish wasn't serving whoever was in that crystal.. Still, he was going to respond. He just needed to think for a second.\n\nThe memories came back as fast as they went, just recollecting what he saw sending a chill down his spine. It felt like he wasn't allowed to see this, let alone remember it.. But, for the sake of the study, he started recalling everything to Kaareish.\nHe'd assumed that the beginning was moreso to shroud this.. Greater truth, and the second attempt when the crystal didn't break in his hands is when he perceived through the screen of the fake dream.\n\nIt started replaying in his mind. And so, just like he perceived the information, he started to say it out loud to the Tender.\n\n\"The Arue, the Sign of.. Something, Sol, Luna, Eikokue, The moon-Mother, the Waxing Moon and the Waking Moon..\"\n\n\"All things in this world..\" \"Are bound by Unity and Disparity.\"\n\nHis mind started to haze. His conscious wanted to repress the memory of it ever happening because of what followed, but he had to remember.\n\n\"..The Tribunal? The.. Veirok, the Architect, the.. Maiden of the full.. Moon?.. And the Solar Guardian.\"\n\nHe pursued further. He could only tell bits here and there of what followed, so he'd assumed it'd be fine if he continued to cite his memory.\n\n\"..All these things, together, are for the same dream.\"\n\"A dream of something.. Eternal?\"\n\"A dream created by..\"\n\n..\nThe voice in that crystal boomed through his head once more. He relived the moment once more, feeling the same stress and fear as he did. For all he could think of, that could have been God, and he just angered him. He didn't like to think about it, but it's not like he could just say he didn't want to say it to Kaareish. \n\nHe muttered, under his breath;\n\"..A dream, by me.\"\n\nFrom what he could recall, and what his mind could piece together, the voice called out to him not only to take control of his mind, but to finish the sentence.\n\nThe dream was by him. Did he know what that meant? Absolutely not, but it must mean something, if the sentence was finished like that..\nStill, he told him of the context that followed after. He could bare thinking around what happened after.\n\"..Though, it cut off, it probably wasn't referring to me! It's just maybe a bad.. Coincidence.. That that thing noticed me as soon as it got to identifying who's dream it is..\"\n\n\n..It.. Sounded.. Stupid. It sounded fabricated. Almost like it was planned. The Weaver was starting to think that the being cut off at that very point, for a reason. \nCould it be to throw him off? Maybe, but there's that slight bit of chance that he's responsible for this grand big dream..\n\nBut then what does that imply? He's some kind of messiah to these people? It can't be. It seemed way too far fetched to actually be the case, but..\n\n..Why? Why did it cut off at that very point?\n\nHe'd rather not think about it.\n\n\n\"It um, tried to.. Control me, and then you slapped me in the face.\"\nThe feeling of his body starting to shift under the tuning crystal's command still lingered. It didn't feel good. But he was safe for now.\n\nFor now." }, { "author": "Kaareish", "message": "```ini\n[ \"I see.\" ]```\n\nSpoke the blindfolded man.\n\n\n\n...\n\n\n\nThere was a long pause. The Root-Tender, in all his wisdom, pondered these words. This information — and perhaps a revelation — of things new, old, and those between. His words, his former words, and sealed knowledge of that which was Beyond them. It would take a while for him to wholly fathom the Weaver's explanation of all which he saw, heard, and felt. Such words were intrinsically laden with knowledge, and even grander knowledge for onesuch as Kaareish, a man who held apprehension of the greater workings of not just the Ark, The Veirok, and the concepts of Lucidity, But so too a lesser truth made vastly more important in the wake of such peculiarities: the Prince's personality. Yes, it seemed to the man that there was much more to what the Prince discovered than what Kaareish, alone, knew. \n\nInformation which he withheld in their short time studying together.\n\n```ini\n[ \"The Arue. The Sign of the Solar Eclipse. Sol. Luna. Eikokue. The Moon-Mother. The Waxing Moon, and the Waning Moon.\" ]\n[ \"Yes, these were the mantras I taught him. Long ago, when I was diminutive in stature——both physically, and spiritually.\" ]\n[ \"All things in this world are bound by Unity and Disparity. And in the Sign of the Solar Eclipse, the two Disparate bodies of Sol and Luna are made Unified in the wake of the Eclipse. These are the foundational beliefs of the Arue...\" ]```\n\nThese were the words that he was familiar with. The words that he, himself, spoke to the Prince; the knowledge that he imparted to him, so that he might one day unveil greater truths. Truths-for-truths, knowledge-for-knowledge. But he never could have expected that silver-haired man, that son despised by lords, that scholar, to discover such... Absoluteness. \n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"The Tribunal, the Veirok, and The Architect...\" ]\n[ \"...\" ]```\n\nThese were words that he was familiar with, yet ones that he had not taught through repetition to the Prince. Words that the Prince discovered for himself, and carved into his soul, knowing, deeper than anyone else — deeper than Kaareish, himself — their value.\n\nKaareish's ponderings reached their pinnacle as he slowly turned his back to the Weaver, pacing with soft, gradual, and preoccupied steps. Finally, he emerged from the study and found himself back in the forest, his robe fluttering in the wake of his blind walk as he delved ever-deeper into thought, ever-deeper in his pursuit for Truth. There was, absolutely, undeniably, a truth here. A Greater truth, if not The Greater truth that Kaareish sought. The truth that weaved this reality into one whole, the truth behind the Veirok, the truth behind Unity in Disparity, the truth behind the Solar Eclipse, the truth behind the Arue, the truth behind the Ark, And the truth behind the `Taae Cheit Ezer.` The truth of...\n\n```ini\n[ \"I...\" ]```\n\nThe Root-Tender stepped further beyond the tower, and gazed up. Toward the shimmering, wavelike formations of the leaves, swaying in the nonexistent winds, gravitating toward the tower. And toward the false, black sky above, dimly lighting the inbetweens of the dense canopy of the root-ridden azure forest. His mouth opened slightly, and he continued to think, and to think, and to think, his hand extending toward the sky — what could it mean? `A dream of eternity; a dream manifest; a dream by him?`\n\n```ini\n[ \"𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥.\" ]```\n\nSlowly, Kaareish's hand lowered. He softly furled its fingers, and held his palm close to his chest, his blindfolded gaze shifting toward the ground. Worry, frustration, and utter confusion manifested themselves in his expression, his lips tugged taut by a downward frown, as he grit his teeth...\n\n...\n\n_ _\n\n...But still, he realized—\nAll things were not for him to know.\n\nAnd so he grinned.\n\n```ini\n[ \"The greatest truth of them all would not be so trivial to reveal, now, would it?\" ]```\n\nThe Root-Tender affirmed, calmed in an instant. Folding his arms behind his back, he turned without hesitation, approaching once more the study and entering its midst, coming face-to-face again with the Weaver — the one who had granted him this greater sense of wonder and of questioning, and the one to whom his gratitude was owed. Many years the tender had spent in waiting for this moment, and to have one so compliantly revelate such magnificent things to him was nothing short of a blessing.\n\n```ini\n[ \"This information has not granted me the understanding that I wished for.\" ]\n[ \"However...\" ]\n[ \"You have fulfilled the request of a stranger, at your own expense, and given him realization of things both forbidden and beyond him.\" ]\n[ \"I thank you.\" ]```\n\nKaareish slightly bowed, slightly tugging at the silver-brimmed hems of his robe in a fine mannerism of respect and gratitude akin to a curtsy. Lifting himself from his bow, he raised his blindfolded gaze to the Weaver, and took a slow breath, before continuing.\n_ _\n\n```ini\n[ \"I have one more thing to say to you.\" ]\n[ \"A twofold statement. A request, and an alternative.\" ]\n\n[ \"The first is a task that you might perform on my behalf, yet one that has perhaps been made necessary by my own fault. I apologize earnestly. I would ask of you that you continue forward. Through the Second Floor.\" ]\n[ \"He——the Prince——has seen you. Sensed you, with his own eyes. It is... Entirely my fault. I allowed you to delve too far into the twilight crystals' attunement. Much farther than was necessary, or safe. If you seek someone to fault, it certainly should be me.\" ]\n\n[ \"And so, now...\" ]\n[ \"𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣.\" ]\n\n[ \"I would ask of you that you continue forward. Through the Second Floor, and to confront the Prince who conjured such heresies——to meet him before he finds you.\" ]\n[ \"The burden I have placed on you is not light. What I'm asking of you cannot be done painlessly.\" ]\n\n[ \"So I would offer you an alternative.\" ]```\n_ _\n\nThe Root-Tender stood, azure energy fluxing in calm, elegant stripes about his hands, as he conjured forth the ability granted to him in return for his binding to the way of the Divine Root — the Veirok. A sense of `lucidity` chilled the atmosphere around the two, and he continued in his offer.\n\n```ini\n[ \"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦.\" ]```\n\nYes, he knew. Though he questioned as such to suggest that he knew not of the Weaver's intentions, Kaareish, in fact, spoke such words only for the purpose of rhetoric. He knew, for he saw. He saw through, into the Weaver's soul, peering into the essence of his desires.\n\n```ini\n[ \"I have the means to make the process possible. I can bring you to the First Floor, where you can return to the Ground Gate of the Ark, and depart from it in reasonable safety.\" ]\n\n[ \"But...\" ]\n\n[ \"If you would turn from your initial path to pursue greater truth,\" ]\n[ \"Please, consider my offer.\" ]```" }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "He calmly listened as the Tender simply cited what he'd known and what he himself told him, trying to piece together a full picture. He actually kind of started to understand.\n\nBut again, he couldn't think too long about it, like Kaareish said, that being ; this Prince, it saw him. It not only saw him, but it addressed him, and had it not been that he wasn't alone, he was about to lose control of his own body.\n\nHe felt anxious about the current situation. He didn't really know what to do, but at least he could pick between two options, both of which were bad..\n\nHe could either leave the Tender to ponder for, forever maybe, about this «Greater truth» that he didn't know what it even was, essentially leaving a job half done, or he could travel further into this hell, where a being stronger than him in multitudes can spot him at any given second and.. He couldn't make up what next. For better or for worse.\n\nHe could spare his life and potentially sacrifice another, or potentially sacrifice his life and spare another..\n\n..Well, it's not like he'd wanted to live, anyways, he was content on dying long, long ago..\n\n..But there is one thing that the Tender got wrong.\n\n\nThe Weaver sighed, looking at the Tender opposite to him in, where would be his eyes, and corrected him ;\n\n\"..I sought escape, yes,\" \n\n\"But it wasn't to save my life.\"\n\nWell, it's half true, he wouldn't be able to do what he needed to do if he did die, but still, the only reason he came here was yes, because he wanted to leave. But not to escape.\n\nThe Weaver seemed like he was ready to dive deeper into the Vektet. Only God knows what's waiting for him, but he knew that if he didn't confront that Prince in some way, he would confront him first, maybe in his dreams or something and take control of him.\n\nBut there is something he wants done. He put a hand in his pocket, gripping the three fingers he'd taken from ALOIS.\n\"I do have, one request for you as well. If it's possible, I will delve deeper into the Second Floor.\"\n\n\"Is it possible to deliver these..\"\n\nThe Weaver raised his hand to his chest towards the Tender, showing the three fingers to him.\n\n\"..To the outside of the tower?\"" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "I forgot about this one.\n\nI forgot about this one.\n\nImma need a reply too" }, { "author": "uhdumuf1", "message": "Motherfucker you will not" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Imma need you to respond to my reply once I finish." } ]	413	7,536
391	2022-07-04	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Abstral", "message": "After the unpleasant way he was transported, Abstral had to take a few seconds to catch his breath and readjust his eyes to being able to see light again.\n\nWhen he was finally capable, he stood up and took in his surroundings.\n\nHis immediate surroundings seemed to just be that of more, seemingly endless, snow, but as he set his sights further he saw silvery lights and the outlines of structures far off in the distance, particularly that of what seemed to be a palace.\n\nThat was likely the city to which they would be travelling to.\n\nAbstral remained where he stood, waiting for Kuouo and Taash to follow him beyond the wall.\n\nIt was standing there that he noticed the vague impressions of Footsteps, the snow seemed to cover up most of them here or there surrounding him, but it was... Interesting nonetheless. Perhaps the footsteps belonged to those they would face ahead? The defender of the wall that he had vaguely heard about previously?\n\nWhatever the case, he waited." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "``'That doesn't seem too bad'``, the bandit thought, watching as Abstral was midway through the wall. Instead of worrying about the possible pain this process could bring to him, he was instead enamored of the blessing Taash utilized and its practicality. Moreso, he was anxious to get it over with so he could see just What Lied behind such a well-constructed wall. With the first fifteen seconds over with, Kuo took a deep breath and relaxed his body as Taash took a moment or two to prepare herself for the second utilization of her shared blessing. With her palm planted softly on Kuo's damp snout, he began to become enveloped by the tenebrous once more, the wall of darkness slowly pressing down on every centimeter of his body with a teeth-clenching pressure. He squeezed his eyes shut, attempting to furl his paws in an intrinsic response to pain, but the atmosphere within made it feel like he had to desperately claw through molasses in order to do so. He attempted to calm himself once more, grunting a bit before forcing his body to go limp. For the next few seconds he waded through the darkness, eventually falling onto his back, landing on the cushion-y snow that awaited him on the other side.\n\n```fix\n\"Yeowch.\"```\n\nThe bandit glared at the moon above, blinking at the lunar body that stared at him for a second or two before hopping back up onto his feet. He glanced to his left, ensuring Abstral was okay with a thumbs-up before staring back at the amorphous void in the wall, waiting for his third companion to make her debut beyond the gate. Thankfully, it wouldn't take long at all. Not taking a moment to recover from both the continuous utilization of the blessing nor the pain it entailed, Taash stepped out without a moment to spare.\n\n```fix\n\"Alright, yer good and Abstral's good too. Where're we headed to next?\"```\n\nKuouo replied with similar determination, a smirk donned on his face as things were finally about to get started." }, { "author": "Taash", "message": "Taash, emerging on the other side with only a little trouble, stretched her limbs once she had emerged, now standing between and slightly behind both Kuouo and Abstral. First, she stretched forth her arms, her armor slightly scraping as she extended both arms forward, and then she stretched them up, and down, and forward again. Finishing, the knight bowed her head in slight, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally opened her eyes to stare forward, toward her goal; toward her dream; toward the village, off in the distance; toward the palaces, even further yonder; toward the most towering of towers, the one which extended to the sky beyond; toward Freedom.\n\nHope glittered quietly in her spirit. \n—but in the presence of light, there is always a shadow.\nShe couldn't help but feel doubt, if only for a moment.\n\n`\"Tokko is the first of whom we will meet.\"`\n`\"The Princess of the Commons—` She said, with a step forward, and a subtle pause,\n`\"—is her nickname, because she doesn't reside in the palaces.\"`\n`\"She's located in the village along the path northward.\"`\n\nThe knight squinted, as she progressed along the snow-strewn path northward of the group, hoping to lead them forward. Yet, as she only barely approached the distant form of the village, far off in the distance, her senses were piqued — surely, in the light of the full moon, she should be able to see it from here. Right?\n\nWrong.\n\nThe village's form was especially obscured; it was vague, as if covered by overcast skies and entranced in fog. The knight stared intently, her eyes piercing with a subtle glow, and she took two more hesitant steps forward. Then three, and four, as she tilted her head to gain better sight... To no avail.\n_ _\n\n`\"...\"`\n`\"That's not right...\"`\n\nTaash hesitated, and turned over her shoulder to view both Kuouo and Abstral.\n\n`\"You...\"`\n`\"...Where did you two come from?\"`\n\nUnsettled, but not visibly or audibly in either posture or tone, the knight's fingers shifted at her side, subtly furling about the sheath of her silver blade. Her shield clattered against her armored right grave, and fully turned to the two, questioning:\n\n*`\"Who else is here with you?\"`*" } ]	442	1,173
74	2022-07-05	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Abstral", "message": "```\"Where the others ended up, I have no clue, but judging by what you are asking, I am to guess at least some of them have already proceeded towards where we plan to go. I suppose the best we can hope for now is that they won't be problematic in achieving Ochre's plan, or ally with Tvoktei and his ilk and complicate matters. \"```" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"Shit\" -\n```\nHe grunted in pain as he pulled himself up from the snow, his first instinct was to run, but his head still spun and ached, still he forced himself up, put 1 foot in front of the other and began to walk, or more trudge through the snow in the vague direction of the city." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone had just missed The Rook, it looked around frantically but saw no sign of Cumhall, but its eye drew to the city ahead, and the great palace- the tower to the next floor, it assumed, that this is where cumhall would head, and so swiftly swept its way towards the city." } ]	76	222
599.333333	2022-07-06	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Should be easy 'nuff t' find a way of speakin' t' her then. How far along is this village yer talkin' bout?\"```\n\nKuouo asked, squinting his eyes in the same direction as Taash to no avail, for it too was concealed by the dense fog. He initially didn't think much of it — after all, out of the two floors, the latter has battered them with biting wind and flurries of snow... Fog wasn't all that out of the ordinary. However, the bandit's mind would soon change upon observing Taash attempting to lock on the village with no dice, a sudden question asked of the two outsiders with a hesitant, almost anxious demeanor:\n\n*\"Who else is here with you?\"\n\nAs Taash's fingers softly wrapped around the hilt of her weapon, Kuo peeked at Abstral out of the corner of his eye, giving him a moment carefully explain themselves to the knight. Despite the subtle threat presented by Taash, Kuo would take this moment to gauge Abstral's manner of speaking under the pressure of an imminent threat, knowing that the presence of a few more outsiders was Indeed* A possible issue, but that Taash'd have no other choice to accept the conditions the way they were — this was their only chance, and it was already in motion. The best the bandit could do in this very moment was to fill the holes left in Abstral's explanation, chiming in with an addendum of missing information.\n\n```fix\n\"We've come 'ere with three others,\"```\n\nHe began with a semi-hushed tone,\n\n```fix\n\"Y'got Cumhall, an older kinda mercenary. Can't say if he's like-minded 'r not, but won't join the likes of Tvoktei — but will probably start fightin' anyone who gets in 'is way. There's the Rook, a behemoth of a man but he's kind of a dunderhead... He's seems pretty nice though, didn't seem like much of a fighter despite the terrifyin' weight he carries. Thirdly is some kinda nekomimi - Y'know, a human with cat ears. Not too sure about them, although quiet, they were young an' looked somewhat hungry for adventure. Could go either way that one.\"```\n\nKuouo finished, fixing his eyes on Taash's hand before furrowing his brow.\n\n```fix\n\"If we're in some kinda imminent danger, y'oughta tell us now. Otherwise, there ain't no reason t' have yer hand on yer blade. Calm yerself. If there's an issue with the other outsiders, we can work around it, I assure ya. If that's the case, the best thing we can do is head int' that village and get to work before any of 'em does somethin' we regret. Damage control, ya know?\"```\n\nAnd so the bandit waited. If there was indeed an immediate danger, he'd quickly pull Infernium Without a moment of hesitance. Otherwise, he'd glare at the knight until she stopped counter-intuitively threatening them." }, { "author": "Taash", "message": "The knight immediately seemed less than pleased as Abstral explained that the two outsiders had not come alone.\nShe already knew that there were outsiders beyond Abstral and Kuouo, but to see that they Knew There were other outsiders who had embarked unto the Second Floor, yet did not share such knowledge beforehand... It seemed to sour her disposition. Her posture firmed, her hand's grip remained, and she squinted, her eyes of silver faintly visible beyond her pearlescent visor.\n\nThe wind howls.\n\n`\"The illusory barrier is manifest.\"`\n`\"The other outsiders have been seen as a threat.\"`\n\nIn a cold, slightly perturbed, and explanatory tone, Taash explained. She remained with her hawkish glare, eyes of silver peering forward toward the two as the subtle winds whipped past her armor. As she had just made clear, the inexplicable darkness which shrouded the distant village was the direct result of an illusory barrier — a barrier which the outsiders, which Abstral mentioned, and Kuouo named, had set off.\n\n`\"If only I had known this sooner,\"`\n`\"I would have departed ahead of you.\"`\n\n`\"So that I could stop them.\"`\n\n`\"...\"`\n\nThe knight turned, glaring back toward the village off in the distance. She took two steps forward, before pausing, and bowing her head slightly.\n\n`\"It will work against our dream if they fight with the residents of the common people.\"`\n`\"They will eventually fight. It's only a matter of time.\"`\n_ _\n\nDisplaying for the first time what was a sentiment of emotion before the two outsiders, Taash took a deep breath in, and sighed with both regret and ire. Finally releasing the sheath of her silver blade, the knight disarmed the little hostile intent that she displayed toward the two, seeing as they had honestly answered her question. She initially thought them to have been intentionally withholding information from her — perhaps to allow their yet-unseen companions to act in the shadows — but swiftly quelled such doubts in the instant of their response.\n\nGoing against appearances and the intuition one may have about her character, Taash was not a skeptical person in the slightest. She thought ahead, certainly — but she was remarkably incautious in such a manner that it made her easily-trusting. She found no sign of lie in their words, and thusly believed it to be a mismanagement of communication; a slip of their minds.\n\n`\"I will not blame you for this,\"`\n`\"But, in the future, do not conceal any other information from me.\"`\n\nTaash remarked with a sincere warning, before taking hasty, long strides forward, across the snowy path ahead of herself. Then, that hastened walk soon evolved into a subtle jog, then a full-paced run, and then broke entirely into sprint. With little warning, she dashed far forward, expecting the two to match her pace within a moment's notice.\n\n`\"The knight unbound to nobility, who resides in service to Tokko, will intercept the outsiders soon.\"`\n`\"The course of their interaction may decide whether or not your existence as outsiders will be a blessing or a curse to the Second Floor.\"`\n`\"We will intercept them before he can.\"`\n_ _\n\nShe briefly explained, crossing tremendous distance in such a short time. Her maximum sprint-speed was far beyond that of a human's own, and with what leisure she had in her gait, it seemed the pace she currently kept herself at — which would be, just barely, matchable by the average person — was only a percentage of her true top speed. Each stride sent her flying forth, and yet she seemed unbothered in breath; she spoke words clearly and without gasp at such speeds, and if they were to match her pace, they would soon be to arrive at the village once so far off in the distance.\n\nThe people of the Ark Were, indeed, from a world beyond that of Earth. From their superhuman feats in strength and speed to their towering statures that reached heights far beyond what was seemed possible, they felt almost as though they were a Race that had evolved beyond humankind.\n\nNow, the sight of the village grew close, and they would swift be required to begin their search." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "As the two finished their explanations to Taash, hoping they were enough, Abstral almost wanted to hang his head as Taash seemed to lose what little violent intent she had but scolded them nonetheless. \n\n How could he have been so careless as to forget about the others? Had he hoped that they'd be out of sight and therefore out of mind? That they'd end up anywhere else that Wasn't The giant focal point that was the city ahead of them? Foolishness, the two of them- no, He Should have informed both Ochre and Taash of this potential roadblock sooner. \n\nAbstral nodded at Taash's request to not conceal anymore information from her any longer before setting off. If they needed to make haste, especially to stop the potential interlopers to Ochre's plan, he needed to be faster. Gathering his aura around himself briefly, he began flying, low to the ground to not be detected.\n\nThey neared the village and Abstral hoped they were not too late." } ]	665	1,798
482.5	2022-07-02	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`A dim-lit village that skirts the outer paths of the foot of the vast palaces northward. Silver chimes distantly echo as the bleak winter breeze sifts the stagnant snow from atop the rickety roofs of ashen-discolored wood.`\n\nThe endless fields of snow that consumed the world from horizon-to-horizon are slowly replaced by the ever-approaching sights of hills, houses, pathways, and colorless trees, yet with all still covered by the omnipresent hues of winter white and the persistent light of the full moon's pale blue. Fangs of frost receded as one progressed beyond the untouched atmosphere of the snowfield's ethereal cold, ice, sleet, and snow receding from the path ahead to reveal the tarnished gray of the marble road that ran the length of the Second Floor. The unease of deathly stillness is now broken by the shifting dynamism of a realm that demonstrates consistent signs of life, and the cold path is divided manifold — marble forks to wood, and while the road still continues, opportunity branches from its lifeless nature in the form of several paths that bifurcate, each leading their own unique destinations in the encompassing village of quiet.\n\nA candle flickers in the distance, yet is swiftly snuffed. One could swear to hear the sound of snow rustling in the midst of the trees eastbound, but to investigate would prove futile; as soon as one would check, the origin of such a sound had already shifted into the unseen. A dark silhouette passes by an empty windowframe, yet before the eye could meet its form, whatever may have cast it has already departed. Footprints remain imprinted into the well-walked pathless streets of the village, but a subtle draft sweeps fresh snow over such bootprints, and all such signs are lost. The movement of life flows through the frigid but still-liquid stream that cut through the settlement, yet as the eye would dart to confirm, the chill of the night would clasp and crackle, freezing even the moving water solid.\n_ _\n\nIn the moment of arrival, the village seemed to go still — quiet, quieter, much quieter than even the snowfield that preceded it.\nThere was left naught but the faint vestiges of a vibrancy within the blend of silver, gray, and white, now frozen still in the dimming light of the Moon.\nAnimation was, yet ceased to be, departing in a moment's notice, as the intruder encroached.\n\nAnd in this quietude, only one noise was left to hear\n\n\n\n`ʳⁱⁿᵍ`\n\n\n\nThe chime of a reality else of here.\n\n\n\nThe moonlight grows dimmer, and even what little faint traces of life remained soon departed, leaving only pure motionlessness within the village.\nThe path forward and beyond the settlement persists, yet those that delve further into its midst — westward, unto the forest, and eastward, unto the distant and undisturbed housings — hazed, the conclusion of either detour growing obscured in the sudden dark and silence of the village." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "The Rook chooses to continue down the Marble Path, slowing down briefly as his stored energy depletes itself; looking to the walls of the village that, previously, had seemed to bear more signs of life than it does currently.\n\nHe comes to a complete stop, looking at the candle in the distance; flame dancing weakly, A sign of life — or, it would be, were it not to be suddenly snuffed out of his vision. Oh. How weird.\n\nEven so, The Rook gets back to a light jog to cover the remaining ground, and, indeed, once he entered the village, he again comes to a complete stop as his (admittedly poor) senses fire off. The sound of the snow swishing as the snow pelts its many leaves as the world around grows still and empty. \n\nA silhouette peering from the window catches The Rook's eye, piquing his interest as it simply Disappears. Surely, just a trick of the mind.. Yet, although The Rook is brave, the amount of sudden silence, and seeming disappearance of all residents who, up until a few mere moments, seemed to have been there in his mind. \n\nA sound to his side captures his attention yet again, as the night takes the water into its freezing grasp, holding it from moving — perhaps a known phenomena that an artificer would be able to grasp.\n\nSomething is very clearly Wrong, here. Very Wrong.\n\n_ _\nSo, The Rook steps forward, hearing the ringing of a bell as the darkness closes in, relying on purely his survival senses to continue his trek, deciding to check first the house with the haunted window. If there was a person inside, perhaps he would be able to make contact with them — and even figure out what exactly has gone so poorly since he got here. The Rook steps up onto the porch and meets his worst enemy.\n\nA doorknob.\n\nThe Rook raps on the door with his armored knuckles, hoping for a response before attempting to use the foul machinery that would cause him such incredible distress. For the sake of this village, it is best if The Rook does not ever interact with a doorknob" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The approach of the door is met only with silence, and the umbra of the surrounding atmosphere only intensified as he progressed through the village. A deep sense of unease churned from within, the aberrant nature of the shifting reality about himself granting much cause for disturbance the longer he remained.\n\nThough it is utterly silent and deathly still, he cannot help but feel that there is something prowling within the midst of these streets.\n\n`Knock, knock...`\n`Knock, knock...`\n\n...Even the sound of his own knocking seemed faint. It was oddly suppressed, the clatter of his armor against the wooden doorframe. Certainly, the snow played some part in dampening the general noise of the surrounding atmosphere, but even the reverberations that flowed through his own body remained repressed to no more than a whisper in volume. One would scarce believe that such a noise would actually alert anyone beyond the doorway — if there Was Anyone within the strangely-still and ever-quiet house which he did — or perhaps did Not — see a silhouette move from within. There was nothing to be seen beyond the window but darkness, and he would be met with a complete lack of response as he knocked.\n\n...\n\n...\n\n...\n\n...\n\n...\n\n\|\|`\"ᴼⁱ, ʷʰᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡ⁻\"`\|\|\n\n\|\|`ʰᵘˢʰ, ᵈᵃᵐⁿ ⁱᵗ...\"\|\|\n\n\n\n\|\|ᶜˡⁱᶜᵏ , ʳᵃᵗᵗˡᵉ . . .\|\|\n\n\|\|\"..., ....\"\|\|\n\n\|\|`\"...? .... .....\"`\|\|\n\n\|\|\"..., ....\"\|\|\n\n...The building again goes still." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "I think I'm being stalked. He notes down mentally, looking back to the street with a vigilant eye to see if, perhaps, something is moving in the shadows. \n\nThe Rook raises the palm he used to tap on the door, examining his armored forearm as he remains fixated on the street. \"That is weird..\" He mumbles out, thoughtlessly. Perhaps he had knocked too softly?\n\nHis voice stills as he holds his breath if only for a minute, listening to the sounds around him for any sign of disturbance: met first and foremost with the sound of what Seemed To be voices from within the house he had knocked on, but, with all the eeriness, perhaps it is a Trap Designed to lure him in. One can never be too sure, right...?\n\nHe raises his hand again, assuming that whoever is inside had just locked said door, opting for a new strategy to gain the attention of whoever is inside. Ambush or not — locked or unlocked —, it's better for Them To come to him..\n\nHe knocks on the door again, yet, no sound is made; rather, the impact of his fist leaves a purple glow on the wood as he taps it again, being careful to use Minimal Force. He taps 3 more times before releasing the build-up on their door, hopefully amplifying a knock or two to a reasonable degree of sound.\n\n\"Some thing is very not right, here..\" He thinks aloud, remembering the guardian's warning to him at the gate. Beyond the wall as he, there are many things that will be out for blood..\n\nThe Rook is tempted to reach for his morningstar, yet with no visible target or perhaps even a Reason He drops his arm to his shoulder instead, opting for a fisticuff approach should something indeed come from the road towards him. \n\n\"Excuse me!\" He calls, hoping to appeal to the potential inhabitants. \"I think I am a bit lost!\"\n\nIt's immediately after that The Rook realizes that raising his voice when potentially being snuck up on is not likely to help his case." } ]	446	1,930
592	2022-07-04	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "ROOK", "message": "Oh, dear.\n\nThe Rook feels the world close in around him once more as his voice sounds quieted even to himself, Oh, dear... \n\nIn the nothingness, it feels that even the built-up energy he has just unleashed onto the door ceased to be effective, granting him absolutely no benefit in shedding light to his surroundings. Surely – surely, like before, someone will answer, right...? Or perhaps, that's simply desperation speaking. The Rook is up against an enemy he understands nothing about, nor can even seem to comprehend... Perhaps, it's a remotely-controlled spell? Is that even a thing? No, The Rook would have no idea.\n\nYet, in the midst of all this silence, and what falls around him specifically.. Clank.\n\nThat's armor. The Rook recognizes. Yes, it makes a sound like his own..\n\nOh, dear.\n\nWith armor comes the potential for a knight – someone perhaps unfriendly, or maybe someone amicable. Yet, the guard's words linger in his head. \n\n\n\"𝘐𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰.\"\n\nNo. No, surely this is all okay..\n\n\nAt last, a voice comes from the door as The Rook trains his eyes on what he could only Assume Was the way he came, putting his back fully onto the door so that there was no possible way to sneak up Behind Him – a helpful maneuver taught by, of course, Iota Talitha. The only way for the assumed danger to come at him is now only Towards Him as he lowers his voice, being aware that despite how He Perceives sound, that may not be true for the person behind the door.\n\n_ _\n\"I just need to know what is Going on.\" He says, raising his armored fist towards the street, rearing it back so that he may clock the stalker Hard Should they come at him, consciously choosing to not bear an arm in defense. No, this can still be solved peacefully, right..?\n\n\"I do not even Look Like royalty,\" He speaks behind him to whoever may be on the other side of the door, wholly unaware of any coincidences that may actually exist between him and the guardians of this floor. It's likely that physically he towers over them as he did the guardian of the wall, yet also equally likely that he doesn't. \"I do not know What I'm doing here, I do not know what's happening to my eyes and ears, and I would just like the armored Thing Chasing me to stop.\" He hisses out, still trying to keep a friendly undertone to his message despite overlapping it with apparent fear. In a situation like this, The Rook's only natural defenses are stripped away from him, leaving only dull remains, his armor and his fists.\n\n\"What...?\" He asks in reply, \"I-I, do not know what that is..??\"" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "...\n\nThere is a pause, and a subsequent series of faint noises beyond the door. The sound of paper rustling, the sound of swift paces across the floor, the sound of an object sliding across the floor — each had grown audible due to his proximity with the building, yet were each equally suppressed in the odd silence of the darkened night within the village.\n\nᵗʰᵘᵈ\nʳᵃᵗᵗˡᵉ . . .\n\nSomething within the building collides against the ground in a distant noise, and a closer noise echoes through the door with a metallic rattle to it. Heard beyond the sealed wooden frame of the residence, there resounded the audible noise of someone scrambling through its midst.\n\n*`Fₗᵤₜₜₑᵣ!`\n\nAs faint as it was, one could hear a noise vaguely reminiscent of what seemed to be cloth being aired and spread. An airy fluttering, and the silent touch of something pressing against the ground in the moment to follow — all such noises came shortly one-after-another, a clear indicator of a task being performed in reckless haste within the midst of the sealed residence. Both the outsider's presence and the faint sound of the metallic greaves' echo in the distance seemed to both individually originate reason for disquietedness within the one who was behind the door, as, unseen, they seemed to be covering something up at a hurried pace.\n\n\"ᴰᵃᵐⁿ, ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ᵈᵒᵒʳˢᵗᵉᵖ?! ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵐᵖʳᵉˢˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱᵗⁿᵉˢˢ? ᴴᵉˡˡˢ⁻ᵗᵃᵏᵉ⁻ᵐᵉ, ⁱᶠ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ...\"\n\n...\n\n\"ˢᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗᶜʰ...\"\n\n\nClick.\n\nWhat was, for the first time in the past several moments, an unsuppressed noise, sounded from the region about the door's knob. Metallic and clicky, it was indeed the sound of a lock being clicked open, followed shortly after by the sound of a thin chain's rattle, and finally a twist of the doorknob.\n\nSWING\n\n—The door flings open." }, { "author": "Zeik", "message": "And revealed behind it,* The figure of a gruff-seeming man, whose apparent demeanor was everything But Calm, confident, and cheerful. Nay; rather, he appeared angered, paranoid, distraught, and especially impatient. He, having swung the door open, was revealed in a sort of leaned way forward: and his eyes stared from his hobbled state in a very piqued glare at the outsider, both as if to see to whom he was speaking, and to convey all the kind of worry in his soul. \n\nThere was frazzle in his breath, the man's hands raised to either side of his face as he stressed in clear emphasis, and while the air of first impression still besieged the two in their initial shared glances, he spoke in whisper-yell, throat and lungs both as though they were equally stressed as he:\n\n\"Get in, now!—I won't have anyone open lay sight on you infront of My Residence!\"\n\nTerrible and displeased as he seemed about the outsider's sudden appearance, more displeased was he of the possibility that the armor-clad fellow would be spotted in the general proximity of none other than his own house. Trust Wasn't exactly a word that could be used to describe the man whose tuckered stature and appearance might as well openly shout the word \"Cynical\", his silver eyes darting askance with every nervous breath taken inward. He peeked and poked his head from beyond the door, and took a good look through the unnatural dark of the night, and then rescinded himself back unto the confines of his home, again with the hurried gestures toward the outsider." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "The Rook listens intently, assuming an attack to come quite shortly all things considered – something he did Not Want to be on the receiving end of should it indeed come true.\n\nOh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. The Rook's worriedness and discomfort finds a new peak as the shuffling of armor remains distant. Seeing as all seemed muted to him, surely this entity is Not Far. Perhaps, even, they have eyes on him now. Perhaps he's endangering this potential person's life, perhaps-\n\nNo. No, everything is okay. I am strong. I can do this. The Rook takes a shakey breath, refusing to allow a drop in \"\"Stance\"\" No matter how potentially ineffective it proves to be.\n\nA sound emanates from nearby. Something is being stuck into the ground. Perhaps the assailant has finally found its mark.\n\nNo. The Rook mentally repeats, No. It's inside.\n\nBut what if the enemy Is Inside?\n\nNo. They could have stabbed me by now. Right?\n\nImpress on the witness? What is a witness? \n\n\"Sorry, I-\" \n\nClick. Swoosh. With The Rook's back firmly planted on the door, the only thing keeping him from tumbling atop the person inside is his incredible size, forcing him to Wiggle __CAREFULLY__ Inside. The Rook swiftly turns around, facing his back towards the street in a move fueled only by sheer unawareness both natural and magical. His fists remain at the ready should the inhabitant be armed and poised to attack.\n\nHe does not have a weapon.\n\n\"Get in, now!\"\n\nThe Rook turns back towards the street, sharing one swift glance of worry upon realizing his back had been exposed to whatever is lingering in the darkness, before he quickly hunches down and squeezes through the doorway – likely a rather tight fit for his stature – following the owner in and swiftly closing the door behind him, taking a long sigh in attempt to steel his nerves.\n\n_ _\nThe normally somewhat confident (or, naive rather) Rook, reduced to a malleable putty of uncertainty, opens his mouth to speak, choosing a level of noise close to that of the man who had allowed him in. \"I'm sorry, I-I do not know what's happening or, or..\" He takes a deep breath. \"I.. Don't know what is going on, I- can't see well, my ears are not working well, I...\"" } ]	583	2,368
383.333333	2022-07-05	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Zeik", "message": "From the street to the interior of the stranger's residence, atmosphere and surroundings shifted, and with them sound and sense, too. Silence was no more; with theentrance of the shelter, there was a sensation akin to the popping of one's ears in the sudden changing of air-pressure, almost startling, yet all the more relieving. The arcane darkness and the illusory suppression which dominated the streets dispersed once he crossed the boundary of the doorframe, and it felt as though he entered a world anew.\n\nThe doors opened with a tide of warm, but dusty air which came upon the nose like chalk, which obviously would beckon the eyes inward, towards its source, where lied a faint-lit interior of musty appeal, untidy to be sure, and small, but not ill-fitted for a sole resident. The wooden floor, of the type typical of the snow-swept village yet stained in a faded and scratched brown, creaked with even the slightest step forward, rickety and unstable at every board; not at all unlike the characteristics of the man who kept them. And atop that floor was strewn an assortment — not idle and base clutter, such as trash, dirt, and the sort found in the typical slob's residence, but rather items of more intricate appeal: shelves filled brimmingly with leather-bound books and loose papers alike, folded parchments stretching meters stacked vertically along their string-bound ends and stored in clusters, strange machinations with slight semblance to sheaves, firm rope bound in containers of cloth, and all manner of odds-and-ends; equipment and literature like the sort one would find in an antique shop.\n_ _\n\nThe odd array scattered throughout the scruffy variety of the only faintly candle-lit home was interrupted by only one item of interest within its Babylonian collection of dusty, unwanted papers and slipshod implements with no actual purpose, and the sole merit of that particular object was its lack of a layer of ware, dust, and disrepair. There was found, to the back wall in the corner of the room, some distance to the right of the dregs of cloth which made the man's bed, a large, rectangular object, thrice as tall as it was wide, covered in a cloth of pure white. The cloth, tied at the bases of the strange object, bound its appearance from any's sight, and did so in such a conspicuous manner that it was undoubtedly purposeful.\n\nBut the man's presence would demand all attention that might have gone to the clutter of the manifold curios which scattered his house, or the peculiarity of the tall object whose nature was intentionally hidden from prying eyes. With a stagger — not a drunken kind of step, but a reckless, swift, and unbalanced one, nonetheless — the stranger stomped forward, eyes still a-glancing 'round his own home, his hand already swift to have shut the door, as he paced and paced in a nervous trance for what felt minutes, yet truly only lasted seconds. And with the waving of his arms here, then there, and his face shifted up, then down, his brow furrowing, then unfurrowing, he went through a series of deliberations, silent grumblings ever-pushing from his breath, before finally he snapped:\n_ _\n\n\"None of your mutterings, none! Not a one, ye,\" He jerked his finger in dispute toward the outsider.\n\nThe stranger went about and about again, and fingers found their way pressed against his temples, antsy as they sifted through his curled hair.\n\n\"What's this stunt, say? Knight—No, Mercenary, like all your sort, armored, compensating for something or another—on my doorstep, dead of night, as the rites draw closer?—Draw closer us, to all our wits' end? Damn, damn...!\"\n\n\"You, whoever you are, not a knight of the palaces, not one who knows the cipher, came here, same as all those other cronies. But you, whoever you are, chose the now for the here, chose the wrongest of wrongest times to find your way on My doorstep, So you could set the sight of The witness Toward My house So I might be thought, To be, a Spy, one who secretly converses with rest of them Orthodoxites? Damn! Damn... What is wrong with you?!\"\n\n\"Exiles, you, all the same—expect me, just for my beliefs, to be some sort of shelter, but you have not the lick of sense for Subtlety. Damn! Damn...! Three of you, all at the worst of worstest times!\"" }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone arrived first, but it had little interest in the village, it took a quick glance and area scan, but continued onwards towards the city without so much as a second glance at the shanty." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "It had taken him a while, but eventually Cumhall reached some semblance of civilisation, a village, a shitty run down rickety village that Cumhall was quite pleased about, rather he take a moment to rest up in the low profile rural settlement than continue straight to the big city.\nHe stumbled up to the village not from the road, but from a ways parallel to the east, he stumbled and fell over a fence, landing in the snow with a dull thud and rolling over, he got back up, and stumbled along the buildings until he could find somewhere to rest, a shed, a pile of junk, even an outhouse, whatever was closest." } ]	137	1,150
368.666667	2022-07-06	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "ROOK", "message": "As his senses come back to him renewed, he moves his arm out to as far as his joints would allow, observing it as though it were some kind of incredible miracle that he could once again. Given this, he would have likely also checked his ears were they not under the helmet.\n\nHe rests his new-found vision on the strange object in the corner, covered somewhat unhelpfully by the tarp, yet refuses to go near it. That would be rude.\n\nRegardless, the man continues to speak; \"I'm not a knight, I am The Rook.\" He corrects, attempting to be helpful in some way no matter how stupid an outburst.\n\nHe raises a finger, likely to interject and say something else stupid, yet is cut off by the continued ramblings of the man, which causes him to attempt a \"S-\" Before closing his mouth again.\n\nWith all the terms being thrown around, The Rook has Absolutely no idea What this poor distraught civilian is talking about. Once the rant is done, he opens again with his previously intended words. \"I am sorry,\" Before bowing his head and following up. \"I have no idea what you're talking about. A witness, a zyphr.. An 'Exile'...\"\n\nWell, that last one is technically true...\n\nBut, there's a mention of two others, confirming that he had heard an actual conversation earlier.\n\n\"I don't know what any of those words mean except for exile. I'm.. Sorry.\" He pats down his armor, trying to find a small purse attached at his belt where he then withdraws a single golden coin and palms it, trying to hold it out to the anxious homeowner.\n\nCompensating means paying, right? He had heard Talitha talk about compensation before.." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Dizzy stumbles through the midst of the foreign territory that was the village would scarce allow Cumhall to find his way to any sight of shelter. The world around him was incredibly hushed, nearly every sound snuffed by both the snow and some sort of dense, illusory presence which clung to each and every corner of the village, and further adversely Darkened. It was dark, darker beyond what the eye could see without assistance, as if the full moon overhead had its luminosity sapped the moment he stepped foot into the settlement's borders — an obscuring haze blocked both his and his drone's sightlines beyond about five meters in any given direction, and even that which he Could Still see was shrouded in a haze of nebulosity which made all things seem to be blurred in some sort of all-encompassing shadow.\n\nHe would not swiftly find the shelter that he sought, yet his progression through the village would, eventually, lead him Somewhere. Pacing across the stone path, forward, further into the vague darkness, he saw nothing about him — then, in an instant, Everything About him. To his left, right, and directly ahead of himself, there were walls, flanking him on each side beside his immediate rear. \n\nIn the all-obscuring darkness, he could not tell if they were no more than barriers — fortifications, fences, or obstacles generally of that nature — or the walls of buildings. The shrouded nature of the village only seemed to grow with every passing moment, and, even in the ever-present silence, he felt as though he was being Followed. Approaching the walls could very well grant him a better understanding of what they were, but also would serve to corner him further in the dead-end that he had found.\n\n\|\|`Clatter.`\|\|\n\nAn ever-present shroud of darkness and silence.\nThe once clear-and-open sights of residencies and architecture construed of an ashen-hue wood would be replaced with vague forms of towering shadows. Where one would typically hear the ring of silver chimes and the bustle of the commonfolk, one only heard the deafening silence of the snowfield. Where one would usually see the stream, flowing freely with water of distant snow-melt, one only found a vein of solid, frozen ice, channeling through the center of the stagnant village.\n\nIt was eerie. And, further, Obfuscating; They could hardly catch sight of what Buildings Were in the village, much less the presence of any Individual people. Finding the other outsiders would be no easy task...\n\nThe path forward and beyond the settlement persists, yet those that delve further into its midst — westward, unto the forest, and eastward, unto the distant and undisturbed housings — hazed, the conclusion of either detour growing obscured in the sudden dark and silence of the village." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "As Abstral lowered himself to the ground as they arrived within the village, he kept his eyes open and his ears sharp.\n\nNot that they were met by anything less than darkness and silence. This place seemed empty, lifeless, dead. There Were People living here, right?\n\nHe set his gaze towards both the Forest And The distant houses cloaked in shadow.\n\nAbstral turned to the others. \n\n```\"Would splitting up help? Since, as you said, I can blend in, I can search the houses, maybe gleam information on the whereabouts of the others from the locals, while you and Kuouo search the forest?\"```" } ]	368	1,106
425.666667	2022-07-07	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Splittin' up? It's up t' Taash, really but...\"```\n\nKuouo frowned, taking a good gander at the village before them — That is, if you could even see. 'Good' was also a 'misnomer', for what Kuo expected to be a bustling village far more impressive than that of the Exiles' Watch, instead presented itself as blurred with a misty fog, the eerie, hollow wind blowing past their ears, and most notably, a further deafening emptiness. Eventually, and to the bandit's relief, his keen sense of hearing could note the faint knock of footsteps against wood flooring — a sign of life in the town otherwise frozen in time. \n\n```fix\n\"It just doesn't feel right, know what I'm sayin'? There's no tellin' what could be inna fog this deep. Would hate for ya t' get snatched up by someone who could tell yer an outsider. Not that y'can't handle yerself, but havin' you get into a fight with a local is gonna work against us too. There might be a time where we can split up, but I'm inchin' towards lettin' Taash take the lead for now.\"```\n\nThe bandit vocalized his gut feeling, making it known well. As outsiders to an unknown land, there was no information to make a logical decision and the bandit knew that well. To one accustomed to the streets and its harsh life, such as Kuouo, it could mean life or death. It'd be the only thing to go off of unless you had someone who knew it and its people better than yourself. As such, Kuouo turned his head to Taash, leaving her to make the leading decision." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"Can't I ever catch a fuckin' break\" -\n```\nDarkness surrounded him, unnatural darkness, of sorcerous origin no doubt.\nHe stopped dead in his tracks, taking a moment to steady himself, dizziness fading the longer he stood still , he breathed in deep in an attempt to clear his mind, he did not turn around as he heard the metallic clatter behind him, he turned his body slightly, and gazed over his shoulder with a glare that could kill a new born, even if his face was obscured, he drew the sci-fi looking pistol from his hip as anticipation surged through him.\n```diff\n- \"Can we just get this over with? I'm on a schedule\"\n```" }, { "author": "Taash", "message": "The knight came to a sudden stop as they gathered within the village. Her eyes squinted as she vainly attempted to adjust to the darkness of the surrounding village — even her sight, sharpened and adjusted over many years to be used to the darkness of the blizzard beyond the great wall, would not do her any good when the obfuscation that surrounded was one of a purposeful, illusory nature. Taash's greaves shifted with subtle unease through the snow, and she was quick to grip the handle of her blade. Something lurked in this darkness — this much, she was absolutely certain.\n\nTaash, in her caution, would not grace the two with an immediate response to their planning. It seemed that her attention was currently dead-set on granting a basic apprehension of her surroundings, and confirming whether or not the witness who lurked within this illusory darkness had his sights set on them. Despite a majority of her recent life being spent alongside Ochre, beyond the wall, and in guardianship of the respite, she was once quite familiar with this village, and its witness. It seemed as though she, as she cautiously paced through the dark, was seeking for landmarks, that she might calibrate her sense of direction accordingly, all-the-while searching for the most immediate threat to their mission.\n\nThat threat was not the witness, but rather the Outsiders.\n_ _\n\n`\"Parting ways here\"`\n\n—she said, with a quiet, slightly apprehensive, yet still steadfast breath inward, breaking the silence which she let linger for so long,\n\n`\"Might be a good idea.\"`\n`\"There's a witness that lurks in this darkness.\"`\n`\"He is an adversary toward outsiders. That witness. But he would not kill you.\"`\n\n`\"The other outsiders need to be restrained, before anything else.\"`\n`\"Dividing our forces will not place us under threat, and will allow us to clear more ground.\"`\n\nThe knight explained, as she shifted her grip on her sword. She interchanged her battle-ready, cautious posture for one more fit to swiftly break into sprint, as she adjusted her sights eastward.\n\n`\"I'm going to make my way to the Princess' residence,\"` She spoke, in reference to Tokko, by her title — the \"Princess of the Commons\".\n`\"It's critical that the other outsiders are contained. If all else fails, I will attempt to intercede with Tokko.\"`\n\n*`\"Do not fight the witness if you encounter him.\"`\n`\"Find the other outsiders first.`\n`You,\"`* She said, motioning toward Kuouo, `\"Would be better off keeping a low profile. Keep your interactions with the people here short. Tvoktei's poison has made them averse to foreign things.\"`\n\n`\"You,\"` She said, motioning toward Abstral, `\"Can be more lenient, but follow a similar standard. The barrier has been lifted. Their guards will be raised.\"`\n\nTaash explained, with a nod. She would stay only a few moments after the conclusion of her clarifications, as she stanced up, her greaves crackling the icy snow beneath her feet, before she broke into a hasty — yet not so breakneck in speed as to be alarming or exceptionally especially attention-catching — dash Eastward, toward the housings.\n\nIt would be wise to heed the knight's warnings, but whichever way they would go from here was now up to them." } ]	372	1,277
19	2024-06-13	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Gaige", "message": "\"Oh hey. Do you know the way to the altar?\" He glanced over at Kuouo." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"What the FUCK — Wait are you getting married. Can I be uncle kuo\"" }, { "author": "Emissary Cherei", "message": "She hits a collat on those two dumb fucks" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "She can't see Kuo with the veil you stupid fuck he's got a cloak on and it's dark out" }, { "author": "Emissary Cherei", "message": "She has night vision goggles" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "\"¡Apagando las luces!\"" }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "\"Woah nice job senorita btw can you help me with my paw it hurts a lot, I had a guy built like minecraft steve pick at me with Efficiency II\"" }, { "author": "Dual-Swords Banished Knight from Castle Sol", "message": "Suddenly, from the darkness, a Banished Knight with twin longswords teleports behind Gaige and does the 10 hit combo." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Survives via a totem of undying and uses his sharpness V iron axe to one shot him." } ]	20	171
221.076923	2022-04-16	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`The entrance to the First Floor of the Vektet.`\n\nA large, cylindrical room of towering stature, with a vast and open interior expanse. \"Sunlight\" Shines through an open window, illuminating a small, circular portion at the very center of the room — where all entrants arrive, directly — leaving the rest of the room in relative darkness." }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "`The blinding light that once entranced the group now fades, as they finds they are longer where they once stood, just seconds ago...`\n\nStill partially displeased from the earlier disturbance, Alois opens his eyes slowly, and takes a glance left, then right, observing the interior of the Vektet Where they now found themselves transported within. He briefly tapped the satchel at his side, ensuring that it was still where he left it last, and pauses, taking a deep breath, as he composes himself. All emotion fades, and he gives a nod.\n\n```cs\n are now within the Vektet. Please remain stationary, for a moment. As your guide, I will perform a preliminary examination of our surroundings.\"```\n\n`\"...This wasn't the environment described in Etra's mission report...` Alois whispers.\n\nSo he spoke. Stood at the very head of the group, he'd be positioned directly at the front of their formation, his back facing them. With his face unseen, he reached into one of his breast pockets, and grasped at something — a small, pen-shaped device, with a yet-unknown function. Briefly fiddling with the device, Alois—\n\n```cs\n ₕᵤₕ?\"```\n\nHe mustered no more than that peep of a sound, as he stared downwards, in shock.\n\n—The tip of a blade peeks from his back. Bloodlessly, a large, bronze-hued blade pierced him straight through, tearing a hole through his upper-chest." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Well, that's a pain in the tail.\n\nTabby's ears twitch as Alois speaks his part, and the eyes on her defender seem almost to light up, as if the pair of them were always on high Alert. The tabaxi starts hissing and riling herself up as soon as Alois starts talking; hair practically standing on end.\n\nIndeed, by the time the guard said his lines about oaths, the defender had already reared back, throwing an iron fist aimed squarely at the knight's head with no intent of mercy shown. \n\nThe cat, on the other hand, withdraws an interesting-looking crossbows from the confines of one of her way-too-small bags. Directly at the edge of the riser lay a Ruby of the War Mage, glittering with focused magic energy, seeming to power the entire crossbow. \n\nA streak of scarlet red magic extends from the ruby, striking at the chest of the same knight that was about to get absolutely decked by her mount. A Repeating Shot Infusion automatically reloads the weapon with yet another energy bolt, but Tabby is forced to End her turn." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"DAMNIT!\" Josh exclaimed, forming his hands into a saw-blade shape, and getting into a battle stance.\n\n\"Alright, we expected danger, and we got it. Let's fight!\"" }, { "author": "Mae", "message": "An unforeseen escalation. All Previous arrangements are null, momentarily.\n\nThe guide is heavily compromised, ultimately if not likely deceased by the blow of the blade of bronze construction. Surrounded, by unidentified entities wearing armored, medieval-like attire, growing from the shadows around them. Their word, despite provided translation, are irrelevant being the threat posed as displayed by the illuminated disposition of the unstained weapon. Front, center, behind, X and Y flanks. No instructions, and a failure on part of the superiors heading the operation. Her co-worker, Tabby Browncoat Retaliates swiftly with a ranged mechanism, what one could call a Crossbow, and utilizes a form of supernatural energy. Others, still in motion.\n\nAn early demise would be, disappointing. Her current strengths lie in movement, assuming the armor tolls speed and the ensuing chaos, as well as indirectness of advantage. Current weakness implies that one-on-one combat or melee against undefined and well-armed opposition would be ill-advised, and even in normal circumstances is troublesome due to her limitations. Both Gambles, but all sense of logic is shattered by their unpredictability; therefore, she was inclined to assume that her agility could sustain herself throughout the encounter, and look to seize opportunity when provided. A ranged approach could be optimal, but awaiting to see the results of the aforementioned would make or break that suggestion. A final resort is on the table, if necessary.\n\n. . .\n\nShe stands there, and does seemingly nothing. Not boastful, but nevertheless still." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"A-buughh...\"``` \nThe bandit was dead on arrival, feeling the stirring bout of wooziness as soon as the light that engulfed them faded away. He reeled back, unable to heed Alois' request to stand still by making a beeline to the nearest pillar and wretching out the contents of his stomach. He falls to the ground, gripping the floor as pangs of nausea wracked his body from the stomach-up.\n\n*```diff\n-!!!```\n\n``That metallic smell!—``\n\nThe earpiece folded beneath the caprine's ears switches on and feeds the translated information in real-time just as advertised. Kuo hastily stands up, unbalanced by the whirling dizziness. He attempts to ground himself, but the sight in front of him was as if somebody pulled the rug out in front of him. His pupils quivered in disbelief, trying to make sense of how this could've happened in only a Moment* Of time.\n\nDespite the flurry of emotions and senses ramming into his body all at once, he manages to withdraw his dagger from the sheath along his belt. Although thankful that the Tabaxi Could handle things for a moment as he physically prepared himself, that moment was short lived as three more knights step out from the shadows and into the 'sunlight.' \n\nKuouo readies Infernium, shifting his focus onto the knight on the left which he discerned to be farthest or at least second-farthest from the other two. He'd have to rely on the others to take on the other knights ``cuz multitaskin' would be a bitch to do right now.`` That, and while gritting his teeth, he figured that he doesn't completely know his opponents skillset and in taking more than one on could turn into an Alois Situation.\n\n```fix\n\"Grrgh.. Alright! I'm takin' the one on the left. You guys gotta stay on yer toes. If ya manage t' defeat one, join another person and fuck them up! Two-on-one, three-on-one? It doesn't fuckin' matter. If they're willin' to backstab someone, use every dirty trick in yer book!\"```\n\nThe bandit flies towards his intended target, dashing with intent to knock the knight down. If he managed to do that, it'd give him a moment — just a Moment To quickly analyze vital areas in the armor to strike. From there, it's 'every dirty trick in the book' to take the bastards down. Kuouo clenches his eyes, nearing the knight before using his speed to flashstep and powerfully ram his horns into the metal-plated chest." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "It seemed Gaige would ultimately be denied access, disappointing but in the he was not personally invested in weather or not the man was allowed in.\nThe devices were certainly interesting, and warranted investigation, he accepted them without second thought but did not put them on, he couldn't take the risk of removing his helmet so instead handed the ear and eye piece off to his drone.\nHe seemed unphased by the sudden teleportation, he gazed around the room examining the unique architecture.\n```diff\n- \"This device you use to tap into the structure's teleportation inferastructure is certainly interesting, may i ask how it works?\" -\n```\nJust as he asks the question the order for silence is issued, and seconds later Alois is slain and any hope of getting an answer lost, but the man is not phased, in fact this only makes his mission easier why ask for answers when once can simply examine the device themselves, of course once the threat was exterminated." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "Without needing order the drone already knew what was of most importance, securing the device, it swooped down slashing the straps and swiftly latching on, flying up aways to safety." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"It all seems a bit cliche dont you think?\" -\n```\nHe grabbed the rifle from his back, it was attached magnetically, rather than with a strap to make drawing it faster, the rifle itself was pure metal, with a standard stock but a rather interesting receiver and barrel, looking more like science fiction than reality, he flicked a switch on the side of the gun which lit up a holographic sight and opened fire, the gun as some might have expected from its design did not fire bullets, instead it fired a bolt of concentrated energy that crackled and glowed white, the gun was semi automatic but the man had quite the trigger finger, he fired slow first to distract the knight while the drone swept by, then sped up unleashing a torrent of fire, aimed not for the armour, as energy based projectiles did not perform as well against metal but for the gaps and cracks between the plates, especially around the head and neck, most of the shots would miss the slim targets but he only needed a few good shots to deal some damage." }, { "author": "SPLINTERED KNIGHT", "message": "—Then, a critical follow-up. Knight [F2], knocked prone and already injured, is struck by a goring attack directly targeting its weakened and freshly-damaged breastplate. Kuouo's horns Slammed into its armor with considerable force, backed by the sheer speed of his flashstep. His horns naturally meet with a small crack in the breastplate, Tearing it further open, enough to allow him to gore the knight outright. Knight [F2] stares down at its assailant through its helmet, as if about to attack him whilst his horns were entrapped within his armor, yet Fails, falling limp, irresponsive.\n\n\n\nAs further bolts of energy whizz past the third knight — the only one infront of them that had not yet acted [henceforth F3], it prepares its blade, recklessly charging forth. Unlike the other two coordinated knights, it seems this one has significantly more confidence. Or, perhaps it simply did not understand tactics as well as the others. The knight closes some distance, yet is stumped by two of the oncoming bolts of energy shot by Cumhall, reeling back, and nearly losing grip of its sword. Nevertheless, not allowing itself to be outdone, it strengthens its grip on its sword, Charging towards Kuouo, slicing from up-to-down toward his chest.\n\n\n\n\n\nThere was also the matter of the Three knights who had flanked behind them. Apparently unseen, and in an advantageous position to strike, One of the three knights behind them [henceforth Knight R1] charges towards Cumhall, swinging horizontally at him from behind, as he shot towards the knights ahead of himself. The other two knights [Knight R2, R3], do not yet move, analyzing the situation and holding position close to one-another, as if in a pair." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The defender and its valiant rider quickly pivot upon the felling of Knight F1. The defender steps forward, trampling the downed knight under its weight — in a spot that would be illegal in the fair sport of boxing. That, and likely cause extreme infertility to poor Knight F1 should he miraculously survive.\n\nMeanwhile, the Artificer turns her head, raising her crossbow. The ruby on top gleams despite the dark, dank conditions; the Ruby of the War Mage Adorned upon it is, of course, a Spellcasting focus. Tabby uses said focus, changing the color and damage output of the energy loaded into her trusty weapon to that of LIGHTNING Magic, casting _Arcane Weapon_ at first level as her Bonus Action, no doubt in attempt for it to conduct across the armor of these knights. Gold, after all, is the most conductive metal on the planet.\n\nFor the cat's main action, she then fires said crossbow upon Knight __R3__, dealing both Ranged damage from the crossbow itself, and additional LIGHTNING damage. \n\nAs with before, the gemstone automatically reloads another bolt. Alas, the pair of adventurers are forced to End their Turn." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone seems to have abandoned its previous task of watching Cumhall's back, it would seem to not truly be under his command, instead thinking for itself it occupies itself with the device, probing it with a number of scanners and sensors, committing each and every piece of hardware and software to memory." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "Without the drone to watch his back, Cumhall was left wide open, the sword slash tearing clean through the fine fabrics of his waistcoat but failing to pierce the armour beneath.\n```diff\n- \"I just got that dry cleaned\" -\n```\nHe grimaced, stumbling slightly slightly but more annoyed his clothes were slashed than at being hit, he spun around bringing his metallic right arm round, small pieces of metal shifted, opening exhausts along his forearm before his elbow rocketed hard into R1's abdomen with a loud hiss of some sort of propulsion device, he then pressed the barrel of the gun to the knight's chin and pulled the trigger, more than once for good measure." } ]	218	2,874
301.5	2022-04-17	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Josh", "message": "Josh extended his arms outward and decreased the density, making them more light and elastic. He then slashed wildly at Knight R2 with his saw-blade shaped hands, in an attempt to corner the thing." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "In typical Encounter Fashion, Kuo felt his opponent's HP drop to zero, their armored body slumping over the goat's horns. Blood leaks onto the goat's furry scalp, prompting him to gross out and try to rip himself away from the dead knight's breastplate but —\n\n```fix\n\"Get the hell offa me, you damned — Grrghh!!\"\n```\n\nKuo heard the rush of heavy footsteps aggresively come towards his way, but there was absolutely no way he could move out of the way in time. By goring the knight in such a violent manner, his horns managed to hook itself within the flesh. If he wasn't careful, he could snap them off and that'd be a whole wave of pain that he did Not Want to deal with. In one risky manuever, the goat would use his strength to grab the limp knight - One paw under their right armpit and the other on the left side of their hip - and pivot towards his reckless assailant in hopes their sword wouldn't slice through.\n\n```fix\n\"Hey! Fuck off entirely man, don'tcha see that I'm busy with somethin' else!\"\n```\n\nAssuming Kuo's meat shield plan works, the bandit would engulf both himself and the fresh carcass in the intrinsic flames eminating from his arcane body. With a battle cry, he'd advance forward, pushing himself and the dead knight on to Knight F3, raising the heat to intense levels around the both of them." }, { "author": "SPLINTERED KNIGHT", "message": "Knight [R1], in a skirmish with Cumhall, Held its blade close to its side, preparing to strike More accurately On its followup, seeing as its first had simply glanced off its armor. It paused, hesitating, as if trying to analyze for a weak-point — yet was met only by swift retaliation; Cumhall's rocket-powered arm would strike against the armor that guarded its abdominal region. While, indeed, it struck armor, seeing as it was made of metal and was propelled with such force that far surpassed that which a human could typically output, the Rocket-powered arm hit its mark, striking hard, temporarily incapacitating Knight [R1]. \n\nDeft movements were not its strongsuit, and thus it could not foresee and intercept the followup attack from the rifle. It would make an attempt to regain its bearings, yet, With the barrel of the rifle already to its chin, it was too late. Two blasts to its head, and Knight [R1] falls flat — dead, most likely.\n_ _\n\nFor the case of Kuouo, His advanced meat-shield stratagem would indeed be effective. Knight [F3]'s attack clanks against the armor of its deceased ally, rebounding, ineffective to strike Kuouo directly. Briefly shocked for a moment — as if displeased to see its own comrade used as a shield — the knight hesitated, took step backwards, and adjusted its grip and stance with its longsword.\n\n The stratagem was indeed intricate — barbarically dashing towards the knight with a meatshield — but Knight [F3] Seemed to be prepared to defend itself. With its blade set at its side, the knight raises its empty left hand, casting a familiar spell — Veie Ezuek. A barrier of sunlight manifests ahead of Knight [F3], serving to stop the momentum of Kuouo's charge, yet leaving the knight incapable of counterattacking. With a barrier separating the two, they'd be put at a standstill.\n\nTabby's Ranged attack on Knight [R3] appeared to have been foreseen, but not by the knight she targeted. Rather, Knight [R2] dashed ahead of Knight [R3], manifesting a solar barrier — Veie Ezuek — which would block the oncoming attack of the crossbow. Or, at the very least, the Ranged damage That it inflicted — the latter Lightning damage Seemed to partially ignore the arcane shield, damaging Knight [R2] in part. It appeared shocked (in a literal sense), its right arm convulsing from the inflicted electricity, as the Barrier ahead of it fell. Knight [R3] would move in to cover Knight [R2]'s vulnerability, preemptively positioning itself in such a position that it could intercept further attacks.\n\nKnight [R3] parries Josh's attack on Knight [R2]." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"Wow, you're practically brainless.\" The cat remarks to Knight R2's Unforeseen movement. It's now her turn. \n\nThe mech rears around, going for another punch, this time filled with the immense power of an Arcane Jolt, adding extra Force Damage to the already powerful Force-Empowered Rend that it employs with each punch. It aims squarely at the arm holding the silly knight's sword, fully intended to either break it or snap it off his body entirely. Who needs arms, anyway?\n\nNow, it's time for Tabby's actual turn. With her crossbow still alight with electricity — due to her Concentration Not being challenged — she shoots another arrow at the exposed R2. The bow immediately replenishes, as Tabby's player forgot that she has access to Extra Attack. And she fires another, similarly electric arrow upon the knight that R2 Desperately tried to block. \"Stay down,\" She hisses, almost angrily — though likely just due to the ambush.\n\nWith her actions exhausted, Tabby and the defender End their Turn." } ]	275.5	1,206
395.5	2022-04-18	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo and the knight-shield attached to his horns slam into the sunlight-casted barrier, reverberating the bandit and stopping his fiery advancement immediately. The sudden stoppage of momentum lurches him backwards, causing Kuo to yelp as he lands on the small of his back with the added dead-weight of the knight now formally locked into his horns. \n\n```fix\n\"Ow, ow, ow owie... That was too close. I didn't expect that crazy bastard t' try and slice me in half like that! Why couldn't you deal with those other assholes doin' nothing around here, shit man.\"```\n\nThe bandit finished rambling, picking himself up off the ground. His horns, finally revealed to the open air once more, were stained in faded crimson as the blood that dripped down his blonde tufts of fur began to coagulate. His eyes now deadlocked onto his opponent. Despite the annoying sense of semi-solid red beginning to stick to his fur and the lingering sense of nausea, the thrill and adrenaline of being ambushed pushed those insignificant peeves aside and placed survival as the priority.\n\n```fix\n\"Infernium.\"```\n\nThe dagger, having been knocked out of his paws after the spell was casted, scrapes across the ground before flying back perfectly into the palm of his left hand. It flashed a gleaming orange, the bandit now readying himself with a light stance as an indication that he might make the first approach towards the knight with speed.\n\n```fix\n\"I'da rather we talked this out, but intendin' to kill us on the spot like that was justa no-go. I didn't mean t' use yer friend as a shield there, hell, I didn't really wanna kill anybody. I never have. But after doin' it, from then on it just becomes another option. And well, let's jus' say... That option is the best outcome for any of us right now.\"```" }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Damnit, they have good coordination. Shade! Help me out here!\"" }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"You got it!\" Shade de-attached from Josh's body, shaping himself into a large and dense sword-like object.\n\"Batter up bitch!\" Shade yells at Josh swings his arms backwards, then forward, slamming Shade into Knight [R3] at a fast pace!" }, { "author": "SPLINTERED KNIGHT", "message": "As Kuouo tumbled back, the knight stabilizes itself. It cast its left hand back to its side, thus lowering the barrier of sunlight ahead of itself and allowing for it to again two-hand its brazen blade, in a polished, yet vicious stance exhibiting bloodlust. While injured by Cumhall's earlier attacks, the knight was still aptly prepared for combat, blade tightly clasped in each gloved hand and pointed directly toward the combatant opposite itself.\n\nThe false sunlight glimmers through the single window of the cylindrical room, the knight taking a singular step forwards, allowing for its golden rays to partially illumine and emphasize its facial traits, however hard they may be to see beneath its golden helm. Knight [F3] stared at Kuouo, its dimmed irises peering at him from within its helmet with a trenchant, scornful gaze. While its face could not wholly be seen, it was clearly displeased, its eyes of a red hue faintly visible and clearly emotional, locked solely upon his form. It is perhaps now, in this standstill and moment of calm within a turbulent battlefield, that a concept becomes certain: these knights, too, are Conscious, living beings.\n\n```fix\n\"You should have been ready for death from the moment you sought to trespass on the domain of the Ezer, cretin.\"```\n_ _\n\nKnight [F3] mutters, her raspy, spirited voice cutting through the idle chatter of the battlefield. The RASWALT system mirrors her words in a language recognizable to Kuouo himself, as her towering stature firms, a chivalrous spirit engulfing her body in an aura almost palpable.\n\n*```fix\n\"Oezuek.\"```\n\n```cpp\n\"Sun that Destroys — Solar Imbuement.\"```\n\nAn aura, like that of furious flames of crimson red, engulfs Knight [F3]'s blade. Within the light of the false sun, and the glow of the flame of blood-red, Kuouo can see the knight take a deep breath through her lips, moments before she Charged forwards, her intent solely to take his life.* Armored footsteps stampede across the short distance between the two, as Knight [F3] releases a series of flame-enhanced swordstrikes in the following sequence of directions — First from a lower blindsplot, rising to slash from the lower-left of his hip across his chest, Following up with a Second, downwards slash, that would cut across his chest, starting from his upper-right shoulder and ending only once it had descended down to about the level of his abdomen, Where she would then Finish with a forwards thrust, intended to pierce him straight through. Proficient with a dagger, Kuouo could likely parry the entirety of the series of attacks, were he not to slip up on a single beat. A single mistake could be fatal." }, { "author": "Mae", "message": "Unexpectedly, her lack of action merely resulted in a complete avoidance of combat that was more or less unfavorable in traditional means. This could only be considered an unaccounted advantage, as she now had the luxury to preserve herself as they entered deeper into the Vektet. Their guide was dead, but evidently her associates were able to hold their own against opposition, albeit likely the weaker side of it. Perhaps, however, said associates would be outraged by her refusal to participate, thus resulting in weaker communication and dangerous consequence collectively. It would be Her At fault, which wouldn't do, but it was also possible they simply hadn't noticed she was here in the first place.\n\nIn summary, continuing to approach in the same light would result in probable safety and future leverage, albeit with potential setbacks.\n\n. . .\n\nNo.\n\nShe promptly turns to Knight r2, now likely recovered, and retrieves her pistol from the hidden holster, firing several times at the direction of his upper-body. With the swiftness of her movement, a Killshot To the helmet could've been order, but the shakiness of her grip forced the bullets to go off in sporadic motions around his neck to chest area. And Still, she didn't utter a word, or make much of an expression." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo grimaces as they revealed themselves under the sunlight, snarling at their comment. He grips the handle of Infernium, surely angry but not entirely towards Knight F3. Perhaps in the moment that was given to the two to settle, the bandit's emotional realization kicked in. Knight F3 locked themselves in a brave stance, casting a spell that further intensified their aura — and their blade — with a fiery red emblazoned onto their sword by the sunlight.\n\n```fix\n\"... That ain't fair. Not t' the shorty ya backstabbed, not to yer friend, and not t' me! But fine, if yer gonna come at me-\"```\n\nKuouo beared his fangs, sharply inhaling as he grounded his stance. The goat planted his paws onto the ground with Infernium glowing an intense orange. With each step the knight took, Kuouo's blade grew brighter and brighter before suddenly—\n\n```fix\n\"Infernium, Act Two!\"```\n\nInfernium Act Two was a rare sight to see. The flat of the dagger was longer, and wider too. The entire blade was engulfed by the caprine's fire magic and it solidified in mere seconds, transitioning the dagger into a sword.\n\nKnight F3 began her onslaught with the *First slash* Rising diagonally from his left hip. With Infernium in his left hand, it'd be too awkward to catch her fire-powered blade's momentum here. He manages to tactically backstep, her blade nearly catching the loop of his right shoulders tanktop as the sunlit fire engulfing the sword Singes His fur.\n\nIn less than half a second, Knight F3's sword reversed its momentum, starting from Kuo's right shoulder. It was here where Infernium quickly sliced through the air, and with a flick of the bandit's wrist...\n\n```diff\n- P A - K L A N G!!!!!!```\n\nSparks flew as the two blades, now both engulfed in fire, clash with the flat of Kuo's blade knocking Knight F3's back. Using his agility, he steps forward. Although the temperature around the two was blazing hot, the look in Kuo's eyes was cold but not unfeeling.\n\nHe thrusts directly into her chest with the intent to end their battle entirely." }, { "author": "SPLINTERED KNIGHT", "message": "A battle to the death, one-on-one, as the other combatants on the field lay waste to one another. The nameless knight's blade cuts through the air enveloped in an all-consuming flame whose heritage was from the nature of Sol, itself, sparkling in a lethal dance that enchanted the chaotic back-and-forth flurry. The deep-red sunfire mingled unto the inferno pouring from the bound-blade Infernium, each of their unique aspects conjoining, in a swirling mosaic of orange-and-red.\n\n*`SWISH—`\n\n—the knight's lethal opener split the air, missing Kuouo by mere millimeters. The flame is hot, and hot unto the bone — it is of a nature that is distinguished as primordial when compared to that of typical fire borne by the breath of the arcane. Indeed, it feels more akin to the essence of life itself, holy, and dividing asunder of the just and unjust.\n\nThe two blades met in a howling parry, and the red flame of the knight's blade abated, weakened by its wielder's lack of ardor. The brazen sword hung motionless, unguided by the might that the Splintered Knight knew she could summon, and her red eyes that once overflew with zeal met the sight of the oncoming bound-blade. Now, in this very moment, she foresees the end of her own life.\n\n```diff\n- Pierce. -```\n\nThus the knight slowly blinked, as the blade pierced from metal to skin, and from skin to flesh, and from flesh to bone. The flame is searing, yet not unlike the sun's own, and so shared a sense of familiarity with the oathbound knight. She clenched her teeth, yet it was not the failure of today that she cursed, but rather the thought of a moment long-past — the Splintering, of the Knights of Sol...\n_ _\n\n```fix\n\"Aaz...\"```\n\n...The knight chokes, slumping. Falling to a knee, the knight of a stature that surpassed even Kuouo's own — for she stood at just nigh of 210cm tall — stared at the blade that pierced her chest, and sighed her last sigh,\n\n```fix\n\"...Kue, long may your sun shine...\"```\n\nKnight [F3] has perished." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "Cumhall composed himself, he thought about straightening his tie but just about managed to keep his head in the game, he was not at immediate threat but his companions still were and it would be a lot harder to complete the mission alone, or that's what he told himself, he probably would have helped regardless.\n```diff\n- \"Some kind of knights you are\"\n```\nHe scoffed, observing the fact that only 2 remained alive, the rest lay slaughtered on the ground, the knights had the numbers, the home field and the surprise advantage and yet were utterly decimated.\nSeeing as the threat in the room had dramatically lessened he did in fact straighten his tie, the components on his right arm began to shift, resetting to their starting position.\nHe placed the rifle back on his back and drew a knife from a sheath on his right arm, and suddenly he lurched forward, moving at a speed that was nothing exceptional for a normal human, but should be enough to allow him to flank around [R3]'s shield, he had originally intended to simply stab the incapacitated [R2] but was hit suddenly by the soldier's worst nightmare,Morals, yes the knights had assaulted them but he did not feel all too comfortable with killing someone who could not fight back, and also he was pretty sure that was a war crime, instead he moved past [R2] and came up behind [R3] grabbing them on the back of the arm as he couldn't exactly reach the neck, and releasing a sudden shock of electricity that would hopefully at the very least cause them to drop the shield spell." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo gazed down at the knight with a somber look on his face. The solidified flames around Infernium melt away into wisps of fire, reverting it back into its original dagger form. The deceased knight's wound was cauterized on impact, so Kuo didn't have to worry about additional blood getting onto him as he tipped his fallen opponent over, ripping the blade from their chest.\n\n```Aaz-kue or somethin' like that... Musta been someone important to them. They looked pretty upset too when I blocked with their friend too.```\n\nHe grabbed the dead knight's forearm, dragging her over to her cohort and sliding them next to each other. There, he pulled the both of them behind a pillar to ensure his safety whilist the others occupied themselves with the remaining knights. The bandit, being the thief that he was, inspected the valiant knights for any valuable belongings, clues, or information about the Vetket. Though others might feel disgust towards his actions, it was necessary to stay true to himself - Even after breaking his code beforehand.\n\nAfterwards, he'd lightly toss anything of interest to the side of their carcasses. Although the bandit wasn't very religious, he still clasped his hands together and muttered a small prayer as his final sign of respect.\n\n```fix\n\"By the power of the Delta Rune, may the angel watch over yer SOULs.\"```\n\nKuouo peeked out the side of the pillar, watching the combatants he entered the ambush with deal damage out to the rest of the knights. ``Now``, he wondered, ``these guys didn't give me a shred of fuckin' help save for dude that shot energy at those knights.`` Although Cumhall's help was noted by the bandit, he still found it insufficient. He gathered up his new belongings (if any were acquired) and dashed into the darkness with the occasional cover of the pillars in the room.\n\nBehind the sunlight and at the end of the corridor were two flights of stairs. The bandit leaned back against the last pillar, unsure of what direction to wake. \n\n```When it's a super-structure, I guess it really doesn't matter. If I need to get out, I guess I could use the varet thingy or whatever the hell it's called.```\n\nHe reached into his pocket, taking a gold coin out and flipping it high up into the air with the simple flick of his thumb.\n\n```fix\n\"Heads, we go up. Tails is down. Seems simple enough...\"```\n\nHe mumbled to himself before snatching his coin out of the air and smacking it on the dorsal side of his paw. The heavy gold coin shimmered in the bit of sunlight that hit the coin's depiction of Kuo's hometown, the Capital.\n\n``Tails.``\n\n```fix\n\"Down it is. Hope these idiots partake inna little Upward Movement.\"```\n\nAnd so, in the darkness the bandit enveloped himself in, and despite moving downwards he continued to move Forward." }, { "author": "SPLINTERED KNIGHT", "message": "Knight [R3], still positioned to intercept attacks on Knight [R2], is now the direct target of Both Tabby's and her automata's attack, as well as the oncoming attack from Shade.* A shield manifested ahead of itself, it appears prepared for the group's head-on attacks, steadfast in its protection of Knight [R2]. The two appeared to be a duo, and an efficient and loyal duo at that, never allowing one or the other to be singled out in combat. The shield would block the au—\n\nHowever, its shield had already been bypassed.\n\nOutnumbered, and now outpositioned, by multiple members of the group all-at-once, Knight [R3] did not foresee the oncoming stealth-maneuver as performed by Cumhall. Within the moment that it notices him, the knight has already been struck by his shocking attack, and its Barrier falls, leaving it open on its frontal flank. The shocking efficiently courses throughout its armor, leaving the knife briefly within a state of convulsion, dazed by the electrical assault. It would almost collapse, yet—\n\nFirst, a strong, metallic, blunt impact.\nAnd second, a bodily impact.\n_ _\n\nTabby's Steel Defender Missed its mark striking Knight [R3]'s arm, it having lowered its defense in the moment that it struck. However, that inadvertently lead to a Much more critical hit — one straight to the chin. The immense impact, backed by even more immense force from the Arcane Jolt, sent waves of kinetic shock throughout its entire body, its head snapping back in a motion less-than-healthy for one's long-term health. Perhaps, at this moment, the knight is already unconscious — however, it is only struck again.\n\nShade bodyslams the knight.\n\nKnight [R3] collapses. From the combined forces of multiple attacks, It's quite likely that the knight is already incapacitated, if not dead, outright.\n\n\nAs its comrade falls, Knight [R2] recovers from its state of shock, staring down at the damaged form of its fellow knight. Its sword at its side, it prepares to strike...\n\n...But is swiftly overwhelmed, by not one, not two, but three-four-five-six-seven—and perhaps even more—ranged attacks. Two crossbow bolts strike their initial target — Knight [R2] — without Knight [R3] to guard, as the knight only just begins to regain its bearings. Twofold does electricity course through its body, as it is helpless to move. Were that not enough, Mae, who had been silent and unseen by the knights up until now, took action, unloading from afar a ballistic weapon unknown to the Splintered Knights. Her sporadically-fired bullets rang throughout the cylindrical room, echoing, as they Tore through the knight's armor and into its flesh, Sinking the final nail into its coffin. The knight, given not a chance, is utterly overwhelmed in the outnumbered circumstances, and Falls flat to the ground, undoubtedly dead.\n\n*And so the ambush had been cleared.*" } ]	449	3,955
243	2022-04-19	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "She quickly scans the area, noting that they were mysteriously down a cream-colored goat. She hops down from the shoulders of her defender.\n\n\"Phew, good fighting everyone.\" She congratulates, striding on over to the corpse of their eccentric guide. She turns him face up, checking for a pulse in order to find the correct choice of action to take, yet is not restricted in her abilities — after all, they are no longer In combat.\n\nThe cat leans down, whispering something very, very quietly into the ears of the corpse, perhaps some kind of quote to commemorate the passing on of such a leader.\n\nShe raises her two gauntlets upwards, to the sky; the gemstone adorned sending electricity crackling between both of them. She begins to rub both gauntlets together, as if they were magic defibrillators — enough to reset a stopped heart, or stop one that never ended its beating — preparing to Revivify The dead Alois. The defender stands on guard, watching for any potential sneak attacks that might occur should a knight miraculously wake up from their beatdown." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "Josh and Shade dusted themselves off.\n\n\"Alright, that goat guy went ahead and left off without us, which is a stupid thing to do considering our guide is dead and we have no idea what the hell is out there!\"\n\nJosh proceeded to open a medium-sized container, take out a tofu-like object, and plop it into his mouth like a pill. As he did this, his eyes briefly shined a light tint of purple.\n\n\"I think we should follow him, it's a smart idea to not get separated, especially in territory like this. Once everyone's done here we should move.\"" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He looked over to the pin cushions that were formerly two knights, so much for that, standing up straight he sorted his clothing, and immediately noticed the absence of Kuouo.\n```diff\n- \"What kinda moron\" -\n```\nHe sighed, his mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, their guide was dead which was good and bad, he had a job to do an his own ulterior motives, there was the issue of the device and inspecting the mega structure itself, and now they had lost a member.\n```diff\n- \"I suggest we dont split up so for the moment i will be following our missing companion, we have no clue whats out there and only one way out, so its in your best intrests to follow\" -\n```\nHe began walking rather swiftly, almost a jog but not quite, following the sounds of further conflict" }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "With the combat ended the drone swooped down and dropped the VARET into Cumhall's hands mid stride, it latched onto his back and took a moment to stitch up the slash in his clothes, then continued on ahead, making sure to scan and analyse every piece of the structure." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "With time of the essence the most obvious solution was to multi task, and so whilst walking down the hallway and beginning his descent he would begin to inspect the VARET, trying to discern how to use it, and analysing its internal workings." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "She watches as the trio — drone man, the drone, and the paper-white thingy — descend down the stairs, utterly confused as to what exactly the plan of action was. Overhead, the lightning fizzles out as Revivify is dispelled without action, saving the spell slot, but missing the opportunity to actually revive the guide himself through means of extreme defibrillation. \"Right, well... I'll catch up once I'm done with this whole... Thing.\" She motions to the still body of Alois, \"Just keep yourselves out of trouble — my inventions can only spread so thin before they need to be re-tuned.\"\n\nShe glances over to the quiet girl who wielded a gun, motioning towards the group headed down the stairs. \".. You've a steady aim; could you bail them out if things go wrong? I just need to get things all squared away — I'm sure this kind man would like nothing more than at least to be tidied up for if someone else finds him.\" Tabby banks upon the peculiarly formal personality of the man laid out under her for her assumption.\n\nThe defender walks over to the cat, standing above and performing a \"Routine scan-mode\". \"'sides, I can handle myself; got the experience and craftiness to show for it.\"" }, { "author": "Mae", "message": ". . .\n\nAll current threats were eliminated. Logic indicates to tread behind the group as previous utilizing the downward staircase. It seemed that the concern of collective communication remained minor, and completely null pertaining to her despite her complete lack of an offensive or defensive approach. Only, did her impulse to not be Entirely Useless allow her to finish off an opposition essentially gone already, and hadn't she done so, the same fate would've likely been sealed for them. Questionable marksmanship, but the advantage of swiftness negated that in the given scenario. Moreover, though, she left unscarred for a form of battle she'd consider herself ill-prepared for otherwise. Earlier, she already concluded twice-over that this was best case scenario, and that there was nothing further to do but proceed.\n\nShe stared.\n\nＹＯＵ　ＤＡＲＥ　ＮＯＴ　ＦＡＩＬ，　ＵＫＩ　ゥよぷぼ哀\nＹＯＵ　ＤＡＲＥ　ＮＯＴ　ＦＡＩＬ，　ＵＫＩ　ゥよぷぼ哀\nＹＯＵ　ＤＡＲＥ　ＮＯＴ　ＦＡＩＬ，　ＵＫＩ　ゥよぷぼ哀\nＹＯＵ　ＤＡＲＥ　ＮＯＴ　ＦＡＩＬ，　ＵＫＩ　ゥよぷぼ哀\nＹＯＵ　ＤＡＲＥ　ＮＯＴ　ＦＡＩＬ，　ＵＫＩ　ゥよぷぼ哀\n\nYₒᵤ cₐₘₑ ₕₑᵣₑ, dₒ ₛₒₘₑₜₕᵢₙg ₐbₒᵤₜ ᵢₜ. . .\nᵁⁿˡᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵍʰˡʸ. . .¿SƎ⅁ᗡIᴚᙠ Nᴚ∩ᙠ ∩O⅄ ᗡN∀ 'S⊥SƎᴚ ⅄⊥IN∩⊥ᴚOԀԀO\n¿SƎ⅁ᗡIᴚᙠ Nᴚ∩ᙠ ∩O⅄ ᗡN∀ 'S⊥SƎᴚ ⅄⊥IN∩⊥ᴚOԀԀO—\n\nVoices overlap, as she quietly shuffles her way to the Upward Staircase, with a gun in hand." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"Wrong staircase,\" The artificer calls over, really unsure as to what exactly is going on. Well, guess they're screwed. She thinks of the bigger bunch, withdrawing a cloth and a couple styling things from one of her satchels; trying to make the unmoving Alois look at least a bit more presentable than he might already be, preparing to move him up to a nearby wall or pillar and prop him up so that he isn't simply just Laying There." }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "In her attempts to revive the guide, Tabby would notice something quite interesting about the collapsed form of the young man, Alois. Something very, very interesting — indeed, there was No blood. Not a spec, on his clothes, on the ground beneath him, or splattered across the room around where he was initially impaled. When he had been stabbed through, there had been no form of trickery or illusion, nay; the blade had pierced him straight through the chest, bright as day and clear as glass. And, too, there was a Hole in his body, Matching the shape and size of the blade, indicating that he indeed was struck straight through the chest... Yet, again, Not a spot of blood.\n\nCertainly, such a development would lure one to peer more closely at Alois' form. Staring into the hole within his chest, she'd swiftly be able to take notice... \n\nHe is not made out of skin, flesh, and blood like the rest of them, but rather what appears to be wood.\n\n\n Beneath his torn shirt, where his skin would typically be hidden from the eye, Alois' skin has a distinctly wooden texture. Pressing one's bare hands against his body would reveal that he had no internal body temperature of any sort, and neither did he have a heartbeat.\n\n\n\nAlois was not a human; no, in sharp contrast, he was a puppet.\n\n\n\nAnd, now, lain across the ground, he appeared entirely inanimate — perhaps dead, or perhaps just in a state of rest. He did not respond to either of Tabby's whispers, neither her attempts to revive him, instead remaining completely inanimate on the floor." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Well, dead or alive, those who were within earshot could certainly hear the sudden standing up of the feline, and the sudden dropping of Alois. The wielder yet hovers over the corpse, peering cautiously, letting out a very quiet \"Hhhhhhhuuuuh...\" Before she steps back, putting her left hand to the bottom of her chin and seemingly petting herself, stroking her fur — and then placing it on her chin on the same side of said hand. \n\nWhat in the name of Gond is this? She ponders, trying to recall various wood-like beings from adventures past. No, this is much too big to be a simple twig blight — and too human, as well.. No vines as far as I can see, either.. How __interesting__. . .\n\nThe sentinel-like machine next to her makes note of it, storing it wherever its \"Thoughts\" Go, to be sure, as Tabby calls out to the rest of the group. \"I think... We've been duped.\" Her hands fall to her sides. \"Lead by a false guide into a dungeon filled with things we know near nothing of.. The knights said something about their duty before running him through — perhaps the duty was to sell the illusion of comradery and to kill us all by surprise...\" She hypothesizes aloud, before continuing. \"Go on ahead, I'll... Try to make sense of this situation before we meet again.\" Well, this is quite a pickle for one to be sat in, isn't it?\n\nWhat to do... What to do... I could attempt to cast Identify, but.. If it's unmoving, that might not give me any information to go off of.. Maybe the spell has already dispersed.. Hmm..." } ]	202	2,430
69.75	2022-04-27	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "Finally reaching the village he beheld it in all its glory, which was not saying much, he takes mental note of many a thing before he can decide where to go, he thought for a moment about inquiring with the locals but he doubted they knew anything, or would tell him if they did." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "Finally reuniting with Chumall the drone lands upon his forearm, beeping in greeting as it relays information to whatever internal computer was contained within his armour." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"Took you long enough\" -\n```\nNo one seemed to bat an eye at him surprising, but then again they probably thought him another wizard or strange knight like the strange man from before, he had thought the level of technology within the structure would be higher but now that he found himself in this village that was far from the truth, he made a mental note not to mention anything they wouldn't understand should they ask him anything.\nHe found himself drawn towards the plaza, he wanted to explore and search the town, see all it held but it was very unlikely to hold what he sought, instead he made his way east towards the tower.\n```diff\n- \"Stay with me this time\" -\n```" }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone beeped in reply before taking to the air again, following behind him, whether or not it would actually do as he said was dependant on what they encountered going forward." } ]	49	279
55.5	2022-06-02	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Ve", "message": "`As the outsiders finished conversing with the doctor in the clinic—`\n`emerging from the state of nihil that was the envelopment of shadows, the porcelain-masked man manifested within a clandestine sect of the residential district.`\n\n```fix\n\"Pardon my intrusion.\"```\n\nHe spoke curtly, making his presence known to the two to whom he appeared—" }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "`\"Who in th' blooded fuc—\"`\n\n—Aatkei, and a dazed Kovrot.\n\nCrouched within the darkness beneath a hut, in guard over Kovrot, who was less-than-stable in her consciousness, the dark-elven man stared up at the figure of the porcelain-masked man, and questioned with surprise and hostility in his voice—" }, { "author": "Ve", "message": "```fix\n\"I have some rather pressing news for you.\"```\n\nVe interrupted." }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "`\"Oi! I was askens' you a fucken' question, you basterd—! Who in the blooded h-\"`" }, { "author": "Ve", "message": "```fix\n\"The Root-Crown is conscious.\"\n\"Or, shall I say...\"\n\"𝑨𝒂𝒛𝒌𝒖𝒆, the origin of the Watch's shame, has been revealed to be the Root-Crown.\"```\n\nThe glimmer of his golden eyes shot forth, toward both Aatkei, and toward the one he guarded, his words sharply interrupting for a third time, as he spoke with unquivering and absolute clarity in his statement." }, { "author": "Aatkei", "message": "Aatkei's expression of hostility emptied, and was thusly replaced with nothing but sheer shock." } ]	55	333
1,397.181818	2022-04-15	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "A gray, two-person tent located within the perimeter of the Vektet. Mostly empty, save for a bunk, two chairs, and a small, plastic round table." }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "Without a further sign of aggression, the guards let the two freely back towards the gray tent. From behind their face-shields, it's hard to tell what they're feeling — however, judging by one of their earlier reactions, it's quite likely that the gas-masked man is somewhat of a threatening factor, even within the security force of the perimeter. Though, as well-armed as the guards were, it seemed awfully strange that they would stray away from defying a single, unarmed man. Was he really so strong, as to threaten a whole team of guards?\n\n...\n\nEither way, it'd work out fairly conveniently for Gaige. The gas-mask donning man didn't seem to hold any ill intent for him. While it wouldn't pose much of an issue for Gaige, the tent was a few inches too short for the masked man. He ducked, wordlessly pushing into the tent, hunched over as he made his way over to one of the seats.\n\n*`SSSP`\n\n`\"ꜱɪᴛ ʜᴇʀᴇ\"`* —he motioned towards the chair opposite himself, his posture still hunched, taking quite a bit of space within the tent.\n\n_ _\n\nOnce in enclosed, close-quarters with the man, he would inevitably seem a slight bit more intimidating, despite his rather calm demeanor and lack of any visible facial emotions.\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ, ɪ ʜᴇᴀʀ, ᴏʀ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴇᴇɴ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ᴇʏᴇꜱ. ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ. ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴇᴇ ɪᴛ.\"`\n`\"ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛᴇ. ɪ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ. ɪ ꜱᴀᴡ. ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ. ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ɢᴀɪɢᴇ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ. ɪ ꜱᴀᴡ ɪᴛ. ꜱᴍᴇʟᴛ ɪᴛ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴇɪɴꜱ, ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇꜱ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ.\"`\n\n*`HSSSSS...`\n\nThe man tilts his head, standing from his chair. He takes a step towards the bunk within the undecorated tent, rummaging through the cloth set atop it — withdrawing a leather-bound, untitled book. One-handed, and with a flick of his wrist, the book splits open, as he thumbs through it, seating himself back opposite Gaige.\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ. ʏᴏᴜʀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ'ꜱ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴏɴᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴛʀɪᴍ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇꜱ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴀʀᴇ, ᴛʜᴇᴍ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴡᴀʀᴇɴᴇꜱꜱ. ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴏᴡɴ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ. ʜɪɢʜʟʏ ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴏɪɴᴛɪɴɢ.\"`\n\n\n`\"ᴍᴇɴ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ, ᴍᴇɴ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴜꜱ — ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ — ᴡᴇ'ʀᴇ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ. ɴᴏᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ. ɪ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴢᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀɪɴɢ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴡᴀɪᴛɪɴɢ. ꜰᴏʀ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇʀ ᴍᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴍʏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ, ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ ɴᴀᴍᴇᴅ ʜᴇʀᴏ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇꜱᴛɪɴɢ. ʏᴇᴛ ᴄᴀꜱᴛ ᴀꜱɪᴅᴇ ʙʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴏɴ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀ ꜱʜᴀᴍᴇ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀᴏꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ'ʟʟ ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴀꜱꜱɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴍʏ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ɪɴ, ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ɢᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ. ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴀ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ ɴᴀᴍᴇᴅ ʜᴇʀᴏ ꜰᴀᴄᴇ ʜᴇʟʟ ɪᴛꜱᴇʟꜰ.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige complied with the towering figure, slowly lowering himself into the chair opposite the man. The man's intention was unknown, Gaige being on guard as he planted himself in the chair. As far as he knew, this anonymous man could be some head honcho of the security force. Close quarters with a man of his stature was unfavorable for the forgotten hero as well; even with Gaige's constant physical reinforcement through mana, he had no doubt the behemoth would overpower him. He kept both his feet planted on the floor as he listened to the man speak.\n\nLuckily for him, his suspicions—for the most part—were unfounded. The way the man spoke was definitely unusual, but Gaige had grown used to such abnormal speech over the course of his lifespan. The masked man's articulation about heroes and warriors was enough for Gaige to lower his guard slightly. `Goddamn... Finally some recognition.` He thought to himself, crossing his legs and continuing to lend an ear to the masked man. He perked up in surprise after the man had offered him assistance, turning around in his chair and gazing at the entrance to the tent. He turned back to face the masked man, pondering to himself for a moment.\n\n\"And how are you gonna do that? You already know how many of those damn guards are out there—not to mention your height. You got some trick up your sleeve or something? Cause right now I ain't seeing a way in. I'm good with facing hell itself or whatever, but I dunno how much you've got those guards wrapped around your finger,\" He leaned back in the chair, \"I ain't interested in getting riddled with bullets. Show me what you have in mind and I'll decide.\" Gaige waited for the stranger to elaborate on how he would be of assistance." }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "`SSSP...`\n\n`HSS.`\n\n\nThe man remained briefly silent, staring through his gas-mask at Gaige, now opposite him, responseless to his question. It appeared as though he was processing what he said — though, any intent behind the man's actions would be quite hard to ascertain, considering the lack of any visual recognition of his face.\n\n`\"ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴜɴᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴍᴇʟʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ. ᴀ ꜱʜᴀᴍᴇ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇꜱ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪɴᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴛ. ᴍɪɴᴏʀʟʏ ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴏɪɴᴛɪɴɢ.\"`\n\nHe reached to his gas-mask, placing a gloved hand on one of the two canisters of air attached to it. Twisting on it, a slight `CLIC`* Sounds from his mask, and the canister slips back a notch.\n\n`ʜᴍ. ᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ. ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ. Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴀ ꜰᴇᴡ. ꜱʜᴀᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ'ꜱ ɴᴏ ʀᴏᴏꜰ. ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴇᴀꜱʏ.\"`\n\nYet another moment of pondering. He remains silent, yet seems to come to a conclusion.\n_ _\n\n`\"ꜱᴏʟᴅɪᴇʀꜱ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ꜰᴇᴀʀ ᴍᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟʏ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴀɴ ᴀꜱꜱᴇᴛ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴇᴀʀ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ɴᴏ ʙᴇᴀꜱᴛ. ꜱᴛᴏᴘᴘᴇᴅ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴏɴᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ʙʀᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ. ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴀɴɴᴏʏɪɴɢ. ʜɪɢʜʟʏ ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴏɪɴᴛɪɴɢ.\"`\n\n`\"ʙᴜᴛ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ ɪꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀ. ᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ. ᴏʀ ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ɪ ᴄᴀʀʀʏ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴꜱᴛᴇᴀᴅ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇɴ'ᴛ ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ. ᴍᴇ, ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜰᴀꜱᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ. ꜰᴀꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ꜰᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴇᴇ. ᴍᴏʀᴇ ꜱᴋɪʟʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʀᴇʟʏ ᴏɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇꜱ. ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ-ɢᴜᴇꜱꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱɪɢʜᴛ. ʙᴀᴅ ʜᴀʙɪᴛ. ᴏʀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ʜᴀʙɪᴛ. ᴅᴇᴘᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴏɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ. ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ ɪꜱ, ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇꜱ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴜᴘ.\"`\n\n`\"ɪ ᴍᴀɴɪᴘᴜʟᴀᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴜᴛᴄᴏᴍᴇ. ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ. ᴜꜱᴇ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇꜱ. ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ʜᴀʙɪᴛꜱ. ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴀʟɪᴢᴇ. ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʜᴜɴᴛɪɴɢ. ᴀɴɪᴍᴀʟꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪʟᴅᴇʀɴᴇꜱꜱ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴀʙɪᴛꜱ ᴛᴏᴏ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀᴄᴛ ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ᴛᴏᴏ. ʜᴀʙɪᴛꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴀᴅᴀᴘᴛ ᴛᴏ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ.\"`\n\n—He spoke, his entire body flaring up, As if he was about to attack. He raises his right arm aggressively, slamming the leather-bound book in his hand into the table, with a frightening *`THUD—`\n\n`\"ᴛᴜʀɴ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ\"`* — his voice spoke from behind him. With frightening speed, as soon as Gaige would likely have an instinctive reaction to his own display of aggression, he disappeared — and then manifested Directly behind him, without a trace of motion.\n\n`\"ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴡᴀꜱ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜꜱ. ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛꜱ ᴛᴏᴏ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴇᴀꜱʏ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀ ɪᴛ ɪɴ ᴀɴ ᴇɴᴄʟᴏꜱᴇᴅ ꜱᴘᴀᴄᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ. ꜱᴍᴇʟʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇʜᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ. ɪɴꜱᴛɪɴᴄᴛꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇᴘᴇɴᴅᴇɴᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴜɴᴄᴏɴꜱᴄɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴍᴏᴠᴇᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢꜱ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴅᴇᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴀʙɪᴛꜱ. ᴋɴᴇᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ. ᴋɴᴇᴡ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴅ ʀᴇᴄᴏɢɴɪᴢᴇ ᴀɴ ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋ. ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴇxᴘʟᴏɪᴛᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴇᴀʀ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ. ᴇxᴘʟᴏɪᴛᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋʏ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴜꜱᴇꜰᴜʟ. ʜᴏᴡ ɪ ᴘʟᴀɴ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴛᴏᴏ.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige raised an eyebrow, wondering if the masked man would ever respond to him. \"Well?\" He began to get impatient, but was back to tuning in to the man's words shortly after. A light Tch Was let out from the hero after the usage of the word 'disappointing', but he continued to listen nevertheless. \"Bit too tall to reach any sort of roof, unfortunately. Other ideas?\" He added to the conversation, waiting for the man to offer his idea.\n\nHe perks up again, tilting the chair on its back legs as he listened to the stranger. In truth, he agreed with much of what the man said. Despite his heroic actions, a small minority of people had any idea who he was. It was displeasing to say the least. The talk of him being an asset however gave Gaige reason to assume he was a mercenary—one of high standing as shown by the soldiers' reactions.\n\nAs the man began to display himself as being 'very fast', Gaige's distrust grew more and more. `He can't be that quick with his size. Not fast enough to completely slip by a whole security force at least.` He thought to himself, planning on taking his leave after the mercenary finished his proposal. The way he elucidated his ability though certainly did peak the interest of the hero, continuing to listen in.\n\n_ _\n`Just like this?`\n\nGaige repeated the words in his mind, but at the slightest hint of aggression from the mercenary, the hero's body moved in response. With a burst of speed, he stood up from the chair—his arm raised in front of him to block the strike. He was prepared for a brutal clash, but was met with nothing. His sight and hearing averted to the slam of the table, \"H-huh? You mis—\" The hero cut his taunting short as his eyes went to meet the mercenary—yet the mercenary was no longer there. Before he had the chance to scan the area for the masked man, he was met with the sound of his voice behind him.\n\nHe made no movements as the stranger explained his trick, letting out a sigh of relief as he finished. A chuckle was let out, turning into a fit of laughter from the hero. He turned to face the mercenary as he laughed, calming himself as his eyes met the stranger's gasmask. \"Alright, alright. You had me on that one—never knew a guy your size could move like that. And what a damn cool way of reading my actions! You're becoming more and more interesting the longer I know you.\" The cloaked man complimented the stranger. Despite having been in assumed danger moments before, he was now in a state of awe. The masked stranger certainly surpassed the hero's first impression of him.\n\n\"Anyways, you've got me onboard now. As long as you can use that trick with me at your side, I'm convinced we'll get in.\" He offered his right hand up to the mercenary for a handshake, \"Pleasure to work with you...\" He attempted to get a name out of the stranger." }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "`\"ᴠᴇʀʏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ. ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴛ.\"`\n\nThe man gave a nod as Gaige agreed, and, now stood, hunched over within the tent. With the initial phase of his plan now out of the way, they could move on to the action-part of this mission. Very, very good, indeed.\n\n`\"ʏᴇᴀʜ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ.\"`\n\n...He spoke, rather awkwardly, in response to Gaige's comment. While Gaige attempted to elicit a name out of him, the trailing, questioning nature of his comment was entirely lost on him, the notion ignored or perhaps not even understood by a man such as the one behind the gas-mask. Instead, he simply grasped Gaige's arm, gave him a firm-yet-not-overbearing handshake. \n\nPacing, slowly, back to the table from which he had stood and dashed from in a blink, he picked up the leather-bound book that he had slammed into the table. While slightly ruffled, it wasn't damaged all too much — it seemed he controlled the amount of force that he used for that specific purpose. Tabbing through the book again, he paused briefly, before finally closing the book.\n\n`CLIC.`\n\nHe tightened back up the oxygen canister attached to his mask.\n\n*`SSSSSSP.`\n_ _\n\nThe gas-masked man crouches down, reaching for something beneath the bunk within the tent. After rummaging for a few moments, he withdraws a strange device — almost like a satchel, in shape and in appearance, yet with some form of digital interface on one of its sides. He scanned over it briefly, before turning to Gaige, and speaking:\n\n`\"ɴᴏᴡ, ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴏ ʙᴜꜱɪɴᴇꜱꜱ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇꜱᴛɪɴɢ ᴅᴇᴠɪᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴀʟʟ ɪᴛ ᴀ ᴠᴀʀᴇᴛ. ɪᴛ'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴜꜱᴇꜰᴜʟ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ. Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴜꜱᴇꜰᴜʟ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇᴛʜᴇʀ. ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍ, ʟᴇᴛꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴇᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴇᴀꜱʏ.\"`\n\n`HSSSS...`\n\nWith quick motions, he adjusts several switches on the device, and a formerly-blue glow emanating from its interface turns orange, then turns off, entirely.\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴜꜱɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ɪɴ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. ʙᴀᴅ ᴅᴇᴀʟ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴄᴏɴꜱɪᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ.\"`\n`\"ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱQᴜᴀᴅꜱ ᴀʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ʀᴇᴀʟ ʀᴇᴅᴜᴄᴇᴅ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ ʀᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴏᴜʀ ɪɴᴄɪᴅᴇɴᴛ. ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪᴛ ʜᴀᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴅᴇᴠɪᴄᴇ. ʙᴀᴅ ʟᴜᴄᴋ ᴏʀ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ. ᴏʀ ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ ᴀ ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴜɴꜰᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴀᴛᴇ ᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴏɴɪɴɢ. ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴜʀᴇ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪɴᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ. ɴᴏᴛ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɪꜱꜱᴜᴇ. ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ɢᴇᴛ ɪɴ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴀʏ.\"`\n\n`\"ᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴀʏ, ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ ɪꜱ. ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏʀ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ. ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴜʀɴ ɪᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴇᴀʀʟʏ. ᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ʙᴀᴅ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍ. ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ꜱᴇɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘᴜᴛʀɪᴅ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋɪʟʟꜱ ʏᴏᴜ.\"`\n\n—So he spoke, quickly explaining, before tossing the device over to Gaige. Standing back up from his crouch, the man pauses.\n_ _\n\n`\"ᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴀʏ, ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ɪɴ. ʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ꜱᴇᴇ ɴᴏᴡ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴀʟᴋ ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ. ᴍᴇ, ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅꜱ. ʏᴏᴜ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʟᴇɴᴛʏ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅ. ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴘɪᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋꜱ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴅ ɢᴇᴛ ᴄᴀᴜɢʜᴛ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪɴᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴛ. ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ. ɪ ɢᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴘʟᴀɴꜱ ᴀɴʏᴡᴀʏ.\"`\n\n`SSSSSSP`\n\nLooping back around the chair and table, he slowly steps past Gaige, approaching the entrance-flap of the tent. He halts, just before exiting, turning over his shoulder to see Gaige:\n\n`\"ᴘᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴏᴏᴅ ᴜᴘ. ɪ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀʟ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴘʟᴀɴ. ʟɪᴋᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏʟᴅɪᴇʀꜱ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ. ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ ʜᴏᴡ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ɴᴏɪꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇɴ'ᴛ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ.\"`\n\n...So he speaks, as he...\n\n...Kneels to the ground, crouching close to the ground, with his back facing Gaige,\n\n`\"ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇɴ ɢᴇᴛ ᴏɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴀᴄᴋ. ɪ'ʟʟ ʀᴜɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛᴇ. ʀᴇᴀʟ ꜱᴡɪꜰᴛ. ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ꜱᴇᴇɴ. ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴏᴏᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏʟᴅ ᴏɴ. ᴡᴇ'ʟʟ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴠᴇʀʏ Qᴜɪᴄᴋ. ɴᴏ ꜱᴛᴏᴘꜱ.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige had no intentions of working alongside any of the mercenaries in this corporate shill of a mission, but this stranger specifically stood out as a powerful ally to have to him. He gave a warm smile as the two shook hands, stepping out of his way as he walked back to the table. He watched as the masked man flipped through pages in the book, curious as to what that book was, but for now there were more important matters at hand. \n\nHe waited patiently as the stranger seemingly was searching for something. `Ah—I never got his name. Did he not hear me maybe?` Gaige opened his mouth to ask for his name again, but upon seeing the strange device, he swapped his focus. He went back to silence, allowing the stranger to explain the nature of the device. \"So, I use this to get in?\" Gaige inquired, watching as the man tinkered with the device. Of course, his question was promptly given an answer—an unexpected answer albeit.\n\nIt appeared as though his hatred of contracts proved valid again. `Reduced survival rates due to unfortunate positioning...? If that's true, what does this corporation hope to gain out of that?` He pondered this question before his train of thought was interrupted by the stranger continuing. \"Sure, sure. I suppose the time to use it will become clear at some point.\" He caught the device, examining it front and back. Eventually, he slung it around himself from under his cloak.\n\n_ _\nGaige adjusts his cloak as the stranger moves past him, fixing its alignment. He swaps his focus to the masked man as he began to speak. \"My hood...? Not walking...? The hell are you talking about? Don't tell me you can make me fly,\" He chuckled to himself, \"I said I would trust you though, so let's see what you've hatched up.\" He reached behind his bowed head, pulling his hood up. Gaige's expression swiftly becomes one of utter confusion as the stranger kneels down.\n\n\"You're shitting me.\" He took a deep breath, \"Ahh, fuck it.\" He approached the knelt down man, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and hopping on his back. `What a damn plan...` Gaige thought to himself as he readied himself for the stranger to begin moving." }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "`\"ɴᴏᴛ ꜰʟɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛᴏʟᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍʏ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴ ɪꜱ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀɴ ᴀɴɪᴍᴀʟ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ'ꜱ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴛʏᴘᴇ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇᴀꜱᴛ. ᴡᴀꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇʟʏ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ.\"`\n\n—he responded to Gaige's joking comment, without a hint of insincerity. It seemed he took him rather seriously, and, judging by how he's responded to earlier interactions, suggested that the man took most things literally. In all truth, he wasn't quite familiar with social cues; he was more suited to fighting and planning, rather than coordinating and communicating. Something as little as that would serve as little impediment for Gaige, however — a reliable ally he seemed, and, if he continued to act as such, he would certainly be a valuable asset for Gaige's expedition in the Vektet.\n\n`\"ᴠᴇʀʏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ. ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ʀᴜɴ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴇɪɴꜱ, ʜᴇʀᴏ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ ʟɪɢʜᴛ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ ʜᴇᴀᴠʏ. ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴛ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴄʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴀʟʟꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ.\"`\n\nHe gave a nod as Gaige got on his back, slowly standing up, getting his bearings and assessing just how much Gaige would weigh him down. Lowering his posture, then rising again, it seemed he had come to a conclusion, becoming familiar enough with his balance to actually perform the feat that he declared he'd perform.\n\n`CLIC. CLIC. CLIC. PSK.`\n\nThe man reached to his gasmask, twisting on one of the two air-canisters with a moderate margin of force. It clicked three times, before hissing with the noise of pressurized air.\n\n`CLIC. CLIC. CLIC. PSK.`\n\nRepeated, the second canister hisses likewise, and the man's muscles seem to firm. His posture straightens, and he takes a deep breath...\n\n`Hhhh...`\n`aaaa...`\n\n`\"Fresh air. Very pungent. Almost noxious. Doesn't matter. Won't be smelling it too long anyway. Just need all my senses to get this done. Only for a little while.\"`\n_ _\n\nThe aura of his voice shifted now that the canisters were loosened, his speech less muffled by the mask. \n\nCautiously, he places his ear to the exit of the tent, listening intently. `Footsteps. Footsteps. More footsteps. Footsteps here. There. Mm. Smells like they're moving away. Turned away, even.`\n\n`\"Very convenient. Time to go.\"`\n\nHis boot noiselessly gritted against the ground below him—\n\n—and in a flash, the Scene shifted.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe air was like a turbulent vortex, whizzing past the two as the man burst into sprint, his posture low-to-the-ground in an extreme hunch. Each step utilized the man's stature to the utmost of its ability, sending him thrusting forth in spurts of explosive speed that nigh-made him impossible to follow. Combined with such incredible speed was incredible precision — twisting, turning, shifting his balance with ease, he weaved behind and around tents within the perimeter-encampment, each motion coming with only the sound of the subtle, whistling wind behind him. He expertly and instinctively weaved past the sightlines of the dozens of on-site staff, his footwork blurring to haze as he approached closer and closer to the Vektet.\n\n`hhhhaaaaaaa...`\n\nWithout so much as kicking up a cloud of dust, he had already slipped through the encampment in an imperceptible flicker of motion, arriving at the base of the Vektet* At such an angle that he and Gaige remained barely out of the main group's line of sight. Through his gas-mask, he stared at the smooth exterior growing closer and closer, hammering his feet into the ground, bringing the two to a skidding stop. Briefly, he seemed to deliberate, analyzing for just a moment...\n_ _\n\n`Time to go up.`\n\n...Then, he coiled his legs, crouching down, Exploding into an upwards jump that cleared well over 5 meters of air. As they reached the summit of the jump, he swung his gloved right hand towards the Vektet's Surface, his fingers slamming into small, barely perceptible microfissures within its metallic structure, and he gripped it with all his might. One-handed, he supported the two's weight for several seconds, dangling mid-air.\n\n`\"Relevant question. How far can you fall? In heights. My heights. Three of my heights? Or more? Reality is, I'm gonna drop you from the ceiling of the gate. Might hurt some. But it'll get you in. Real convenient like.\"`\n\n—As he spoke, he hastily swung his left hand towards the surface of the Vektet, Grasping its microfissures likewise with extreme gripforces. He places one of his boots against the metallic exterior, and Begins to effortlessly crawl across the smooth surface of the Vektet, all-the-while hoisting Gaige over his back. He climbs up, and up, and up, leaving them well-over ten meters off the ground, as he then swaps directions, climbing horizontally across its surface. What a plan.\n\nThe two now find themselves directly over the slipshod-constructed door blocking the 'emergency exit' of the Vektet. Without wasting a precious moment that might cause them to be seen, the man thrusts his bodyweight through a small opening at the very top of the blockade, allowing himself to freefall for half a moment, before grasping the ledge of that very opening, leaving him and Gaige suspended in a hang.\n\nThe interior of the gate was dark, yet, if Gaige were to look closely, the Drop beneath him was about ten meters.\n\n`\"Down there's the gate portal. You let go of my back, you fall. You drop on the gate portal. It sends you into the Vektet. Very simple. Might hurt. Just take the drop. A warrior should live it no problem.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "With the immense amount of mechanical clicking and the man's deep breaths, Gaige attempted to inquire about his safety, but was suddenly met with `\"Time to go.\"` He increased his grip greatly, taking one last deep breath before the two took off in a torrential windfall of speed. Though... It wasn't like before; he could still perceive what was happening and make out the faces of the mercenaries, but they were incapable of noticing the stranger's presence.\n\nWith the sudden stop, Gaige examined the wall of the Vektet. `No way he's about to climb that, right?` The hero thought in disbelief of the mercenary's abilities. How wrong he was. Before he knew it, the masked man was scaling the Vektet with ease—not to mention his incredible vertical jump. Gaige clung on tight as the man scaled the superstructure. \"Uh—I'll figure that out when we get there.\" He gave an equivocal response to the man's question.\" In truth, he was hoping he'd have more time to prepare for the drop, but they were already on the other side of the gate moments after he answered the stranger's question. Gaige had barely been able to keep his grip as the man violently clung to the door out of a freefall, but he withstood.\n\n\"Hold on now man, you seem to have been inside this place before with all you know. Mind answering a couple questions before I drop down? Or before my grip gives out?\" Even now, the hero still found opportunities for lighthearted jokes. \"First of all, what are some general things I should know about this floor? You've gotta at least know what I should avoid. And on a more important note, you don't seem to be planning on tagging along; any reason why? You and I are strong like you said. I don't see how something could stop the two of us inside here.\" He questioned, waiting for the man to grant him answers to his questions whilst dangling from the gate door." }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "The man initially didn't give a response to Gaige as he questioned, instead blankly hanging to the wall without even so much as flinching. He, honestly, expected for Gaige to simply let go and drop down to the bottom, without hesitation. Defying his expectations, however, not everyone in this world thinks exactly like him. Some warriors are more cautious than others, and some have questions about the battles that they'll soon fight...\n\n`\"Hm. Didn't expect that. A hero asking questions. Not what I'm used to seeing. The heroes I knew never thought. Only fought. Ran villains down. Cut them in half. Tore them to shreds. Very violent. Highly efficient though.\"`\n\nHe remarked, lingering in thought. Then, he had to actually process the contents of the questions, themselves. Quite troublesome, honestly. \n\nHe wouldn't complain, though. Maybe this was a needed change in the characters of heroes. Maybe, these characteristics were the result of a better upbringing, in this society. The world he came from was all so different...\n_ _\n\n`\"Hm. Thinking. Remembering. Tips for the first floor. One.\"`\n\n`\"One, yes. First thing I remember, don't eat the blue root. Real bad for your health. Tears your throat up, then starts growing in your belly. Not viable sustenance. Don't eat anything in there, really. Maybe some meat. If you cook it. And make sure it don't have any parasites. Think there are some animals in there. Strange things though, shouldn't really rely on them for food. Not sure how you survive in there. Probably wasn't meant to in the first place.\"`\n\nAnother pause, as he seemed to be racking his brain...\n_ _\n\n`\"Yeah, two. Sky's green. And it's fake. Place is like a cave. Looks like an infinite sky, but it has a ceiling. And it ends just behind the tower that leads to the surface. Don't know how it works, you can figure that out yourself. I never paid any real attention. There's another tower, too. Think that's the place you're supposed to go. Approached it and approached it. Nothing stopped me, because nothing could. Then I felt something uncomfortable roll down my spine. Then I turned around. Never doubted my instinct once, it's bad for my health.\"`\n\n`\"And three, huh. Guards of that place are like knights. Soldier-types, the one's I'm familiar with. Use swords and spears and all that nasty sort. I knocked a few unconscious, wasn't too hard. Don't get hit by them, I guess.\"`\n\n...Those were, really, all the tips he had to offer. In all honesty, during the time he was in the first floor of the Vektet, he learned little.\n\n\n\n\nAs Gaige questioned why he wouldn't come along, he gave a low grumble, murmuring to himself briefly, before responding:\n\n` \"That first floor just isn't the place for someone like me. Guards there are intelligent, those soldier type. Very unnerving. I'm not at all fond of hunting people. Especially not warriors, warriors like me. Animals are different. Monsters are different. They don't have pasts like me. No strength built up, no character. So I hunt them down without hesitation. Those soldiers are a different story though. Plunging from the darkness to break the neck of a strong warrior like me just isn't a good feeling. Not at all fulfilling. But there's just too many to take all of 'em head-on. They're the tricky type, too. Know all sorts of nasty stuff with those swords. Very inconvenient. Me, I don't use weapons. Them, though, they trap you and keep you at a distance, slice you up.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He stared at the man, confused at his silence, \"You still there?\" Gaige inquired of the stranger, the man now speaking. Gaige pulled himself up a slight bit to get a better grip, \"Thinking's a pretty useful trait if you're good at it. A good plan can win battles otherwise unwinnable.\" Gaige provided the man with insight into his thought process in combat; he then silenced himself, making sure to memorize every tip given by the stranger.\n\n`Blue roots bad... Don't eat blue roots. Go for meat if you're hungry—don't forget to cook it though. Rid it of parasites too...` he repeated the first tip in his head. Even the slightest bit of poison can take down the strongest warrior. This wouldn't be a tip to forget by any means. \n\nThe next tip was harder for Gaige to grasp, but eventually he understood. `Sky's fake... Maybe could use a ceiling to my advantage in that case. Two towers, one that leads to the surface and one that is likely the way forward. And... Something capable of putting this guy on alert. Scary.` \n\nHe kept his ears open for the final tip, deciding to handle whatever alarmed the stranger when the time came. `Swords, spears, and other close quarter weapons. Shouldn't be an issue with open space.` He locked all this newly acquired information within his mind, giving the stranger a nod. \"This is all valuable intel to know. Thanks, gas-mask guy.\" The cloaked man thanked the stranger; he began to listen in as the man answered his second question.\n\n_ _\nGaige pondered the masked man's response for a moment, \"Humm, can't say I understand your way of thinking... But we've all got our own individual traits. I've got an idea then.\" He let go with his right arm, moving his cloak aside to reveal the Varet, \"You said this little machine here is some sort of tether, right? I assume it connects to the entrance of the Vektet as well, yeah? So why don't I get through the first floor alone... And then use it to get you onto the second floor with me?\" He offered an idea that would allow the masked man to completely skip over the first floor, nullifying his reason for not tagging along. He waited for a response from the man, hoping he would accept to it if his assumptions about the Varet were true." } ]	642	15,369
307.75	2022-04-16	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "[...]", "message": "`\"Figured I should tell something this much. Not much to lose, telling you what I saw. And won't see much fruit out of sending a hero to hell without a compass. Good deal, all things considered.\"`\n\nSo he responded to Gaige's thanks. Then, the Proposition...\n\n. . .\n\nYet again, the gas-mask donning man pauses, motionless, as he considers. There's no response for quite a long wait — longer than the last — as he continues to hang, his grip unerring.\n\n\n\n\n. . . . .\n\nIt took quite a while of processing for him to even respond. He considered the idea from beginning to end, utilizing the little information that Odysseus Corp. Had even Given Him on how the V.A.R.E.T worked... Indeed, Gaige had a good point. If the first floor wasn't his style, and the V.A.R.E.T had negative effects on all missions after the gas-masked man's own when used on the first floor, then, couldn't he just use the device on the second floor? There Was The idea that it could be potentially dangerous on Every Floor, but he was fairly certain that the decreased lifetime of the expeditions after his own was due to a mistake of one of his own teammates. Quite the freak accident, it was... But if there wasn't another issue like that, and the device was set up properly on the second floor...\n\n`\"Huh.\"`\n`\"Didn't think of that one. Might work.\"`\n\n...\n\n`\"Yeah, second floor. Sounds like it could work. If it isn't like that first floor, that is. I'll see what happens. Pretty convenient, this Varet thing. Very useful.\"`\n\nHe complied, after, quite literally, leaving Gaige hanging.\n\n`\"Those soldiers out there are soon going to open this gate door. Probably wouldn't be good for your or my image if we're seen. Shouldn't stall your drop for too long. Thing takes a while to send you where you want it to, that gate. Not at all fast. Very convenient however.\"`" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He waited... And waited... And waited some more. He finally spoke up, \"Hey—my grip is starting to wear out. Can you hurry this up?\" He began to slowly lessen the strength of his hold on the stranger. He'd been dangling here for several minutes after all—nor was he as strong as the man he was holding onto. `Might work, huh?`\n\n\"If that's the case, I'll make my way to the second floor as soon as I can. I'll look around a bit and see what's up on the floor and if it ain't like the first one, I'll get the Varet set up. Or try to at least.\" Gaige elaborated on his plan to the stranger, gazing down at the ten meter drop. `That's... A bit high now that I think about it. Ain't any other way down though.`\n\nHe had completely forgotten about the security team that awaited just outside the door. He didn't exactly have time to ponder on how to negate the damage from the fall. \"Well, I'll meet up with you on the second floor then. See you then, gas-mask guy.\" With a gulp, Gaige concentrated a majority of his mana towards reinforcing his legs. He carefully slid down the stranger as far as possible, now gripping his right combat boot. `Here goes nothing!` Gaige released his grip upon the man, hurtling straight towards the ground, feet first.\n\n_ _\nA loud stomp rang out from behind the gate, a light Crrk Being heard as well. The shock from the fall moved throughout Gaige's body, but luckily his legs took the brunt of the force. The cloaked man knelt down, his face wincing in pain from the fall. He glanced at his left leg, an abnormal glow radiating from it as he quickly got back to his feet, despite the harrowing sound. He pressed down upon his left leg, his face wincing again, \"Bit sore, but better than before.\" He commented on the state of his leg, giving a thumbs up to the stranger as the teleportation sequence initiated. `That shorty had to have heard that right? Hope he did at least.` He lightly laughed to himself, standing by whilst the teleportation sequence proceeded." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "`The ground beneath Gaige begins to sparkle in the instant that his feet touch the floor. A feint, bluish glow encases his body, raveling about his figure in short, spiraling helixes. Slowly, but surely, the light would engulf his body, soon drowning the entirety of the dark and enclosed interior of the gate with its brilliant glare. The air hums, as a magical essence glitters throughout the atmosphere, and Gaige feels himself mingling with the essence of the arcane. Soon, he would disappear, fading into nothingness, as he found himself in a location entirely new — completely foreign to Earth.`" }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "—So Alois spoke, proceeding through the opened door, into the hollowed section of the Vektet That formed its entry-gate. Adjusting a satchel hoisted over his left shoulder — a V.A.R.E.T, as he had demonstrated to them earlier — he steps atop a large, circular slab of stone, with intricate carvings of an unknown script engraved into its surface. As the group would presumedly follow shortly after, the Slab of stone begins to glow alight, an arcane, blue energy engulfing their bodies.\n\n```cs\n be alarmed. This is simply the teleportation function of the Vektet, which I described earlier.\"```\n\nSlowly, but surely, the group would be `whisked away, into a location entirely foreign...`" } ]	311.5	1,231
593.142857	2022-04-16	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`An unknown location within the First Floor of the Vektet.`\n\nSome parts carved from stone, some parts naturally hollowed by what appears to be erosion, this mysterious, cavernous location seems to be located deep underground. Upon entrance to the First Floor, the entrant finds themself atop a large, circular slab of stone, with intricate carvings of an unknown script engraved into its surface.\n\nMysterious, tendril-like roots of gargantuan size, emanating a potent, blue-hued glow, illuminate the cavernous depths.\n\n`The blinding light that once entranced Gaige now fades, as he finds he is no longer where he was once stood, just seconds ago...`\n\nThe cavern was vast, yet still ended within his sightlines. He could clearly make out the walls of the cavern, each immensely overgrown with the figure of spiraling, erratic formations of translucent tendril-y roots of a deep blue glow. Their light formed an atmosphere that entrenched the entirety of the caverns, and, luckily, provided a source of light, in what would otherwise be a completely dark underground channel.\n\nWere he to scout the caverns, there'd be several interesting things of note.\n\nFirst, Some distance directly ahead of him, was what seemed to be a Tall, rusted door. It seems several pieces of parchment are bound to the surface of the rusted door, mysterious texts of an unknown, runic language covering their surface, each written in a golden ink that could hardly be made out from the color of the paper itself. The door, itself, was Far too rusty to be opened, And thus would be an immediate dead-end. Perhaps the scripts would be of some use. If He could read them, that was.\n\nSecond, And while it'd take some thorough investigation to locate, he could find what appeared to be a Clean sheet of white cloth, Covering what was a vaguely humanoid shape, lain on the ground. It wouldn't be hard to guess what the cloth hid; though, what was hidden on what was hidden would be what was truly of note, there. He'd have to lift the cloth to find out for himself.\n\nThirdly, A rather far trek off in the distance, was what appeared to be a Large, spiral staircase, leading directly upwards. It extended up and up, until it reached the roof of the cavern, and seemed to continue beyond it. Likely an entryway to the surface.\n_ _\n\nThere were other items, though of lesser interest than the past three — discarded, rusted equipment that covered the ground, ranging from swords and spears to shields. Each was likely more than several decades old, considering their state of disrepair, and would likely fall apart were they ever attempted to be used as weapons.\n\nFurther, there were More recent signs of a human encampment. A pot, a portable burner (whose fuel supply had gone empty), a broken canteen still wet with water, and several emptied magazines for a handgun. In terms of spatial location, they were Quite close to the clean sheet of white cloth." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He gently opens his eyes after closing them instinctively from the blinding light. He was met with the alien landscape as his eyes adjusted to the new environment; he scanned the area hastily to ensure there was no immediate danger surrounding him upon arrival. His quick look around also introduced him to the strange nature of the land. He brushed the tendrils off as a form of light in this strange cavern, making his way to the old, rusted door. He placed his right hand upon his chin, squinting his eyes as he attempted to read the scriptures upon the door.\n\n`Yeah... No. Can't read this. May as well take it with me though. Could find a guy to translate for me or just learn the language myself somehow.` Gaige twirled his fingers, a pen rolling between them. He pressed each of the papers against the door one by one, writing 'rusty old door' on each of them. He carefully removed the papers from the door, stuffing them inside a satchel on the left side of his waist. He turned his back to the door, scouting the area again.\n\nThe next object that would stand out to him was the lengthy spiral staircase in the distance. It extended beyond the false sky, the staircase being exposed with no walls around it. `No walls...? If that leads to the surface, why'd gas-mask guy call it a tower?` Gaige pondered to himself; he would have to discover the purpose of the spiral staircase another time due to its distance. He then turned his attention to the last peculiarity that stood out to him.\n\n_ _\nHe waltzed over to the abandoned survival supplies, squatting down near the empty magazines. He picked one up in his right hand, examining it. `Looks like a battle occurred here. A significant one with this many magazines... But there's no corpses. Strange.` He stands back up, dropping the magazine to the floor. Stepping over the puddle of water from the canteen, he removed the lid of the pot. `Wonder what was cooking?` He looked inside, what he saw getting him closer to an answer of what happened to the former camp owners. `Blue roots. Gas-mask guy said these were poisonous. Either the owners ate some and left or got attacked before they could.` He shut the lid of the pot, noticing something unusual out of the corner of his eye.\n\nHe had finally come to notice the white cloth with the humanoid shape beneath it. `A body? Not taking any chances here.` He took a few steps back from the cloth, being around three meters away. With a purple energy, his right hand began to vibrantly glow. The cloth lifted off the humanoid shape, Gaige's hand violently shifting upwards and to the right. The cloth flew in the direction of his hand's motion.\n\n*```diff\n+ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝒲𝐸𝑅 𝒪𝐹 𝒯𝐸𝐿𝐸𝒦𝐼𝒩𝐸𝒮𝐼𝒮 +```\n\nGaige's attention refocused on the humanoid object beneath the cloth, deciphering what it was." }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "A corpse should be left well alone. His caution was not unfounded, but this time it seemed there was no threat present. Rather, what lied beneath the cloth was simply a motionless, lifeless body of a man who met his end in circumstances all too unfortunate.\n\nIt seemed that decay had not yet settled into his flesh, cold-to-the-touch, suggesting that he had lost his life only a day or so ago. However, that wasn't to say that his body was unscathed... Rather, the opposite would be all the more true. Gruesome injuries covered his body — his throat and abdominal region were torn to shreds, ripped apart from the inside by what appeared to be Blue root growing from within.* The root, with a slightly crimson tint, seems to have explosively erupted through his flesh, tearing it to shreds in it self-release from his innards. Strangely enough, the blue roots seem to have been Growing along a path alongside his veins and arteries, Burrowing deep into his flesh in such a pattern that the Growth appeared to be slowly creeping up his body, towards his head. However, it seems that the peculiar growth patterns of the roots had not yet concluded. Most strange, indeed.\n_ _\n\nMost of the blood seems to have been cleaned up already, however, as if the man had been tidied postmortem. This cleaned state was likely a form of courtesy, as given to him by whatever former teammates he had entered the Vektet. Held close to his upper chest, and clung within his right hand, was an Unloaded semi-automatic pistol. It seems that it was rested against his chest by someone else after he had already died, as if to honor his nature as a fighter.\n\nA Satchel, Laid directly at his side (around his left hip), if it were to be examined closer, would be revealed to contain a Phone-like device. Yet, its screen was smashed, and the device itself seems to have been stabbed through with some sort of blade — as if to disable it On purpose. Its internal wiring was irreparably damaged, rendering it functionally useless. An unfortunate turn of events... Many interesting things about the Vektet Might have been recorded within.\n\nAside from the excruciating fate that the man must have suffered due to the internal growth of the roots, perhaps the second most notable thing about the body was the man's Left eye. Strangely enough, Gaige could see something, with a form akin to an eye-contact, Glow, A blue interface blinking repeatedly atop its transparent surface. Upon closer inspection, it would also be revealed that the man had a form of Earpiece In his left ear, which, unlike the device akin to a phone, was left entirely in-tact." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The glow that emanated from his hand ceased, the man glaring at the corpse for around thirty seconds before finally approaching it. The pause was in order to discern the livelihood of the individual. You never know in a place like this. He knelt down before the corpse, analyzing the rather mangled state of their body. `This what that root does to you...?` He smirked, `Thanks again for the heads up, gas-mask guy.` He dared not touch the roots, his eyes shifting to the head of the individual. `Shitty end for someone. Though...` His eyes gazed across the area around the corpse, `looks like whoever this guy was with must've cleaned the blood up. Way too clean for an end like this.` He had of course noticed the earpiece and the eye contact from his glance at the head of the individual, but he decided to return to examine those later.\n\nHe tilted his head at the sight of the gun, noticing it was empty. `Did he empty all those magazines...? By himself? Or were they emptied before and his teammates left them here?` He reached out to grab the satchel, avoiding making contact with the roots. Opening the satchel, he removed the shattered phone. `Looks like a blade did it. Gas-mask guy did say this floor consisted of enemies who use medieval weaponry. No chance at it being repaired though, even if I were to use``it.` He dropped the satchel and phone to the ground, switching his attention back to what interested him the most.\n\n_ _\nHe squinted his eyes at the man's face, noticing the contact had words upon it. Of course, they were backwards in his view. Utilizing telekinesis, he gently peeled back the man's eyelids, removing the contact and dropping it into his hand. He held it between his fingertips, reading off what was said in his mind. `Synchronization... With primary translator device lost... Please manually synchronize? Is this some of the corporation's equipment?` He loosened and removed the earpiece from the corpse, it floating into his left hand. The hero rotated the earpiece around in his hand, noticing a singular button on it, labeled 'Synchronize'. `Well, that's good to know.` He wiped the earpiece off on his cloak; it'd have to do for now in terms of cleanliness. Attaching the earpiece to his left ear, he turned his attention to the broken canteen of water.\n\nHe carefully lifted it with his left hand, making sure to keep it upright as not to let the remaining water flood out. He poured a few drips out onto the contact, then using his cloak to gently wash the contact with the water. He raised the contact up to his left eye, looking through it. `Looks clean enough.` He peeled back his eyelids using his right hand, sliding the contact onto his left eye. He blinked three times, making sure it was firmly in place. `Now, time to synchronize.` He tapped the button on the earpiece, hearing a beep.\n\n_ _\n. . . . .\n\nThe text that was plastered on the contact had not changed. `Uh... Am I meant to do something?` He blinked, hearing a second beep. Huh. He blinked twice more with a short interval between them. Two more beeps were produced after each blink. `I guess I'll just... Keep doing this?` He blinked another two times, hearing a beep after the first one and then being met with a robotic voice.\n\n_```bash\n\"Sychronization complete!\"```_\n\n\nLuckily for the hero, he had figured out the synchronization method completely by accident. With that task out of the way, he reached in his satchel for the three papers. He laid them out in front of him—in no particular order—hoping the so-called 'translator' would do as its name implied." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The contact, now synchronized and properly set-up, is fully operational. The blinking text that once flashed back-and-forth, on and off of the screen, now disappeared, allowing him to see clearly through the contact.\n\nWith the papers set before him, in their barely-legible golden ink, he can briefly see small portions of the contact attached to his left eye light up. While he wasn't entirely familiar with the system that the so-called translating device functioned off of, from what he could gather in the moment, it seemed as though it was scanning, its heads-up display underlining all of the legible text. It paused, briefly, before blue text flashed before his eye, overlaying the foreign language:\n\n```fix\n1 - < \"SEALED BY ORDER OF ECLIPSE GUARDIAN UKUE.\" >\n2 - < \"I have heard speak from Vaarektaak that some of you call this the birthplace of Sol's Unity. Cast away these thoughts. Beyond this door is little more than the corrupted vestiges of a sullied order. I will have no more of your attempts to open its sealed frame.\" >\n\n3.A - < \"Blithering little maggots, you lot. Betrayers, each, to the origin of your own order. You seek my heir. You will not find her here. Turn back, lest I taint your corpses with the brand you mock. I will make you know the pain of your betrayal.\" >\n3.B - < \"Know this: I will return, one day, to the First Floor, with greater understanding of the Sun of Reversion. And then, ye, undeserving of Sol's Image, will burn away. You have forsaken my beloved brother, and so you have forsaken me.\" >```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The man skimmed each of the papers once, returning to each and analyzing the key points inside each. The first paper was simple enough, but the name was something he kept in mind. `Eclipse Guardian Ukue... Weird name.` He stuffed the first paper back in his satchel, moving onto the second paper.\n\n`Vaarektaak... Another name I should commit to memory. Weird one too.` His eyes moved to the words, 'Sol's Unity'. No doubt whatever 'Sol's Unity' was was important. He looked back at the door as he pondered the rest, `A sullied order... Corrupted vestiges... Clearly this Ukue doesn't want anyone going through the door. It doesn't make sense for them to be so protective of this door if it protected nothing important.` He took the second paper, stuffing it back into the satchel.\n\nMoving onto the last paper, Gaige began to reflect on what he had read, `Betrayers, heir, brand... Who is this 'Ukue' speaking to? How did they come to be known as betrayers to Ukue? Is Ukue's heir someone important in this land? And what is this brand they speak of?` He pondered these questions in his mind for around a minute, but even with what he picked up from the second paper... No luck. The last part of the third paper particularly stood out to him. `Someone from beyond the first floor...?! This guy must be quite something then—stronger than gas-mask guy at least. And what is the Sun of Reversion? A type of arcana or spell? And a brother of this guy... Ack, this is all too much to think on without any real information!` He stood up, approaching the rusted old door. `Hmmm... Now, how could I get through this?`\n\n_ _\nThe first obvious choice was to attempt to just... Push it open using his exorbitant strength. He placed both of his hands on one side of the door, pushing with an immense amount of force. He stopped abruptly, backing away from the door. Not an inch of progress had been made. `Nothing huh...? Onto better means then.` His hand glowed with the same radiant purple energy from before, a telekinetic force—stronger than his physical attempt—pulling on the door. Gritting his teeth, Gaige eventually released his magic, looking back at the door. `Motherfucker... The hell is with this door?` The door—again—hadn't moved a _centimeter_. Gaige scratched the back of his head, staring at the massive blockade in his path.\n\nHe scoured the area with his eyes again, noticing something that just might work. He had hatched up one last idea to open the door. `Looks like I might not need it yet. This'll be a good test for how long I can go in a real situation without it.` He moved out of the way of the door, his eyes staring at a large rock around six meters away from him. The rock itself was only slightly smaller than one of the two doors of the gate, the hero's hand beginning to glow again. The rock suddenly began to lift from the ground, maneuvering directly in front of the door before stopping. With a deep breath, Gaige positioned the rock around five meters away from the door.\n\nSLAM\n\nSLAM\n\nSLAM\n\nThe rock was repeatedly slammed into the rusted door, Gaige utilizing it as a battering ram. He kept this action up until either he deemed it ineffective, or the door opened." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "As was expected, straightforwardly pushing against the door with no assistance from any form of tool, outside of his own magical might, would prove ineffective at breaking the door open. Made of metal, and rusted to the point where it had practically fused in part with its frame, the rusted door didn't budge even a Little. \n\nUntil the stone was brought out, that was.\n\n*`CREAK... CREAK...`\n\nThe stone, hammering and hammering away, seems to be bending at a piece of metal. The sheer amount of force being exerted on it through the makeshift battering-ram wasn't enough to bend the door, itself, but seemed to be Damaging something from inside it.* Most likely its lock, rusted and stuck in position.\n\n*CREAK... CREAK... `CRCK!`\n\nFinally, with one last impact of the stone, the metal that he was damaging finally Cracked.* The door, battered and damaged at its reinforced center and its edges, flies open with the hideous sound of unoiled, rusted metal well-beyond its age scraping against itself.\n\n`Cold air with the heavy scent of mold and rot gales forwards from the opened door.` \n\nThe scent was... Putrid. It was dense, stale, aged, rotten, and mildewy, like it hadn't been open for Decades.\n\nBehind the door was... Darkness. He'd have to enter to actually get a good sight of, well, Anything, Really." } ]	648	4,152
543.666667	2022-04-18	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "*```fix\nVeie Ezuek; the Sun of Protection; Solar Bulwark.```\n\nUpon utterance of its phrase, a speaker would attain a deeper understanding of the significance of its meaning. The Sun is Light, and the Light is a shield — a protector from all the impurities of the world.* It is a spell that demonstrates the Unity that is protection, yet also Disparity that is separation, just as was said of the Tenet of Sempiternity. All aspects of the Image of the Eclipse have Unity in Disparity, and Disparity in Unity. The articulation of Veie Ezuek built off of the foundational establishment of the concepts laid within the book, expanding upon them in a tangible manner that granted a light of guidance for the innate, arcane nature of Gaige's magically-attuned spirit to follow. \n\nAnd so, following that path, in faith and understanding of the prayer's nature, magic energy would cascade from the palm of Gaige's extended arm, taking on a glorious, yellow glow. The effulgent stream of mana assembled and gathered, predicated by the refined commands ingrained within the very words Veie Ezuek, Establishing the outline and basic form of a Golden shield of light. It was perhaps imperfect, fuzzy and quite fragile — yet such an outcome could only be expected of a spell that Gaige had only just learned. Perhaps, With some more refinement, Gaige could use the spell to its fullest extent. For now, however, it was incomplete, and employing of only a fraction of the spell's true effectiveness." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Upon the appearance of the fragment of the Sun's power, Gaige held the spell for as long as he could. Ten seconds. The spell fizzled before him after ten seconds had passed—a feat for a beginner to solar magic. His mastery over the arcane hastened his learning of new spells, after all. The hero stared at his hand, opening and closing it repeatedly. `Different than what I'm used to, but I suppose with enough practice... It could prove to be a less expensive alternative in mana. Even after five years though... Still got it.` He reflected upon his usage of Solar Bulwark, taking another deep breath. `Unity and disparity in the form of protecting oneself, huh...? Maybe this foreign concept isn't as bad as I thought.`\n\nHe opened his satchel, opening the journal to the second page; he reviewed the contents, specifically how to utilize the Sun of Reversion, or 'Qqoqeivue Ezuek'. Gaige flipped the page, scanning through page three, then four, and then five. Gaige slammed the journal shut, stuffing it back in his satchel. Rolling his shoulder, he prepared to speak the prayer. `This has gotta be one of the worst pronunciations of all time...` He sighed, holding both his hands in front of him as the book said. His lips moved, speaking the prayer, \"Qqoqei... Shit. Messed it up.\" Arms dropping to his side, he practiced the pronunciation in silence, \"Qqoqii... No, that's wrong. Qquqi... Fucker...\" This pattern of butchering the pronunciation went on for just shy of a minute, before finally, \"Qqoqeivue Ezuek. Yes, yes! Finally goddamnit!\" The man rejoiced, extending his arms out in front of him with a gleeful smile upon his face. His lips parted once again, speaking the prayer, \"_Qqoqeivue Ezuek_.\"" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "With the final syllable of the prayer finally uttered in its actuality, Gaige could feel the arcane energy within his body naturally course throughout each of his arms, the spell's form substantiating into something quite real — quite Tangible, As the atmosphere of the world around himself sensibly shifted. The world, for a moment, grew lighter, as if the essence of Sol itself had briefly manifested, lighting the ground about himself. An aspect of timelessness teased the very breath from his lungs in a forced, slow exhale, rapidly draining of his stamina, channeling itself throughout the incomprehensibly complicated weave of the spell's structure, itself. It is a sensation as if he is being plunged into the expanses of space, brought to comprehend the fathomlessly-gargantuan form of the sun in its absolute magnitude, and drowned within a sensation of limitlessness that he, himself, could never attain.\n\nAs the aura fades, and Gaige would begin to regain his bearings, the meaning of the words `Qoqqeivue Ezuek` Become clearer — yet not clear in whole — and so he understands something quite integral: he had barely even Begun To grasp the nature of the spell. Whereas the true meaning of Veie Ezuek Was simple by design, manifesting in utmost efficiency the form of a solar barrier intended solely to protect its caster, Qoqqeivue Ezuek Was a prayer fabricated to meddle with the primordial essence of Time, itself. The magnitude of its depth was... Tremendous. Veie Ezuek Followed the Tenet of Sempiternity in a manner most simple, with one aspect of Unity in Disparity beyond itself, yet Qoqqeivue Ezuek Seemed to delve into the domain of true limitless — a whole fulfillment of the Tenet of Sempiternity in an ever-unfurling weave of Unity in Disparity within Disparity in Unity within Unity in Disparity, unto infinity.\n_ _\n\n...To put it simply, he had failed to cast it in its entirety. Much, much more practice would be needed to invoke the miraculous prayer in its whole, Yet he could still invoke a much simpler iteration of the incantation." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "After having broken free from the encapsulating nature of '_Qoqqeivue Ezuek_', Gaige was left reeling, gasping for air. \"Son of a, bitch!\" He shouted, coughing as he yelled. After taking a seat against the cold, hard ground of the cave, he eventually recovered. `Fuck man... Just what the hell is that thing?` His left hand twitched a number of times as he recollected his thoughts, `The power of reversion... What a draining ability. Not even my 𝒹𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 compares to it.` His hand had ceased its relentless twitching, the man getting back to his feet and considering what his next course of action would be. He had discovered he was capable of using both prayers,—not well of course—but now what?\n\nGaige glanced back at the dented, rust door. It does make one wonder if there was a more appropriate way to open the door, but his method worked well enough. `That place should be dealt with.` He marked off the strange prison off his mental list, before an epiphany suddenly struck him. Gaige's head snapped to the corpse of the unfortunate man who had consumed the blue root. His eyes were locked onto the shattered, tablet-like device. He knelt down before it, examining it once more with his sight. He had deemed the tablet irreparable upon first arriving here, but now... If he were willing to use it again... Perhaps the device could be restored?\n\n_ _\nHe grasped the device in his left hand, backing away from the decaying corpse. `I'd rather not test the limits of this outstanding ability on the dead. Not yet at least.` He gently laid the technological device down away from the corpse, taking a few steps back from it. He took a deep breath, `Maybe don't let your own magic kill you this time.` He reprimanded himself in his thoughts, aiming both of his hands—arms fully extended—at the tablet. Strangely enough, the man's magical output increased whilst preparing to use it—as if he had been using only a portion of his mana beforehand. Of course, using a higher mana concentration would increase the risk of the prayer, but after having used it once... He was confident a slight boost wouldn't harm him too much. All he'd need to do is concentrate his thoughts under one concept: 'Unity in Disparity'. So he believed at least.\n\nHis lips parted, reciting the prayer, \"_Qoqqeivue Ezuek_.\"" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Each failure is another opportunity to learn. Though failing to invoke the fulness of the prayer's effect on his first attempt, and while he had not fully unlocked a greater understanding of how it worked, he now had a fundamental concept to grasp. With a foundation to base future attempts off of, a more focused approach, and an increased quantity of raw power placed behind the invocation, Gaige would make a much more substantial and worthwhile attempt at Qoqqeivue Ezuek.\n\n. . .\n\nThe intense arcane power that he supplemented the labyrinthine prayer with would have noticeably different effects. Indeed, as it had the first time, the prayer conjured a potent, immersing domain that drew from the nature of Sol itself, entrancing him within a state-of-being that bordered on hypnotizing. That vastness, that infinity, had only grown More Drowning, More Infinite, if that was even possible; yet, this time around, with a clear target in focus, and one attempt under his belt... It felt slightly more manageable. The first attempt possessed a sensation of selflessness — it was as if he had been lost in the void of the cosmos — but upon his second attempt, there was the clearly-defined existence of Self Within that void. An asphyxiating breathlessness was now met with a simple, seeping exhale, his stamina draining, yet not fading into nothingness. It had a Use, this time around.\n\n`The room shifts nature and atmosphere, and it feels, for a moment, as if time stands still...`\n\nＱｏｑｑｅｉｖｕｅ　Ｅｚｕｅｋ．\n\nGaige's understanding of those two words deepened, in a way indescribable. Unity in Disparity within Disparity in Unity, unto infinity, yet contained in a single phrase... Yes, he was drawing closer and closer to the origin of the spell, its True meaning.\n\n...As the atmosphere conjured by the spell's immense magnitude slowly departs from the room, and its entrenching pressure of limitlessness fades, Gaige could see... The phone that he wished to repair was...\n_ _\n\nStill damaged.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBut not broken.\n_ _\n\nThe hole that pierced the device was no more, and it appeared to be in one piece. Its screen was cracked, and it still had visible signs of scuffing and general wear-and-tear, yet was in a state such that it could be Turned on. And, once he would inevitably do so, revealed within the phone would be a multitude of curiosities.\n\nFirst, a Diary of sorts. Or, perhaps more accurately, an Adventuring journal. There were multiple digital entries stored within the device, yet most relevant to Gaige would be those that Directly mentioned the Vektet itself.\n\nPassing a brief introductory period within the diary, Gaige could take note of the names of all those who apparently participated in the Vektet's first expedition. Each were assigned roles...\n_ _\n\n`\"Andrea - Frontlines & midrange combat, intel, coordination\"`\n`\"Etra - Melee combat, scouting, hazardous materials handling (if applicable)\"`\n`\"Dan - All things combat, upholding equipment, V.A.R.E.T coordination\"`\n`\"Me - Backlines combat support, scouting, intel, scavenging\"`\n\n—So it says. The introductory periods of the diary are Quite mundane, Yet seem to describe that The expedition team entered from the same location as Gaige. Interesting... That would raise the question: \"Where did the other mercenaries who boarded the Vektet end up?\"\n\nSifting through the diary's information, some interesting notes could be acquired. It seemed as though the Spiral-staircase Led to the basement of a Large tower, Positioned directly above Gaige. Within that tower, the diary describes combat with Intelligent knights, who each wore a form of strange, golden armor. Ballistics were apparently highly effective, yet it describes them using Fiery magic whose manas appeared akin to the sunlight itself. The writer of the diary described that he believed there was some sort of Treasure at its very peak, Yet that he also did not possess any method of reaching it.\n\nOutside of the tower, there was said to be a Vast opening into what appeared to be an entire new world, over which was hung a fake, green sky. Little is further described upon the subject, and it seems the matter was recorded in haste, nearing the end of the diary." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He lowered his arms after the prayer had finished, his breathing being heavier—but he was not gasping for air like before. `Better at least.` He commented on his state after using the Sun of Reversion, taking a seat for a moment to catch his breath. A minute passed, Gaige finally averting his attention to the phone's state. \"Tch,\" The man smirked, standing up and grabbing the _functional_ phone. `For a second attempt... Not bad. It'll only get harder to adapt to this prayer though...` He powered the phone on—it luckily having battery still—and perusing its contents.\n\nThe journal came first, Gaige glancing at the corpse of the dead adventurer, `His journal then. Sorry friend, but I need information.` He apologized to the dead, beginning to look through the journal. His eyes locked onto the list of names and roles of the four adventurers, one specific name standing out to him: Etra. The list of tasks for the adventurer certainly lined up with _him_. `I'll assume you didn't hear me before, Etra.` He smiled, continuing to scroll through the journal.\n\nHis thumb stopped its movement, Gaige shifting his sight towards the spiral-staircase in the distance. `...Treasure?` Gaige powered the phone off, slipping it into his pocket. He had of course read the entirety of the journal entry on the tower. The man began to make his way towards the spiral-staircase, pondering about what he had read on the way.\n\n_ _\n`So, a large tower? That where I'll find whatever that thing Etra was scared of is?` He didn't seem to show any worries about the upcoming challenges, instead seeming... Excited, strangely enough. `Etra said he was capable of knocking out these knights with a singular punch. Can only assume they're the Knights of Sol as well.` He remembered what Etra had told him, `If he was able to beat them despite being in an awful match-up for a brawler, they'll prove no threat to me.` Confidence exuded from his being, continuing his long walk in silence before beginning to climb the staircase. He had already known of the fake sky that existed in this realm thanks to Etra, the information in the journal being extraneous.\n\n`And whatever it is that made Etra back off... It can't be worse than that white haired mage.`\n\n*```diff\n- Gaige had reached the top of the staircase.```*" } ]	496	3,262
220.875	2022-04-13	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "MISSION DAY - 4:30 PM.\n\nOdysseus Corp. Members buzz about the base of the Vektet, Its enormous shadow looming overhead, darkening the face of the impromptu military-base-esque perimeter established within the reaches of the Coventry. Identityless security-officers, donning face-shields, each armed with equipment akin to that of a militia's, shuffle about the central gate of the perimeter, coordinated by signals that buzz through their earpieces. Rifles in-hand, they seem to be on lookout — likely for the Mercenaries and hired hands That the corporation recently hired, having had sent Personal letters And extending Scouting teams To invite to explore the Vektet. That begged the question, however: this organization had \"Security officers\", who were armed more akin to soldiers than mere guards. They clearly possessed the raw resources to fund a reasonably-sized private army. Exactly What Held within the Vektet Could be so dangerous that they would need to hire Even more Proxy soldiers?\n\nOpposite to them, further within the base and surrounding the Vektet itself, construction workers outfitted with exoskeletal assistive equipment finish work on erecting a secure scaffolding that covers the very base and entrypoint of the superstructure, serving as a backbone for, what appears to be, an incredibly fine-tuned monitoring and security aperture, keeping its single gatelike entrypoint sealed. A middle-aged man holding a cracked tablet glances up at the aperture, calling out a short phrase, as the construction workers disperse, filing off into large, temporary tents adjacent and some distance from the Vektet Itself. \n\nFrom even a long-distance's glance, everything seemed quite tidily managed, and while the perimeter had only been established some-48 hours ago, the grounds are incredibly well-secured. A barbed-wire fence surrounds the entirety of the perimeter, leaving only a Single main gate For the mercenaries to enter through." }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "Alois peeks his head from one of the many tents within the fenced-perimeter that surrounded the Vektet. Glancing left—towards the Vektet—then right—towards the gate—he reaffirmingly nodded to himself, checking his watch. The young man had a youthful, refined aura about him, and a sort of nature that could perhaps be described as 'handsome'. Standing at only just about 153cm, and with a somewhat outdated — yet still formal and personable — form of attire, he stood out considerably amongst the well-equipped, armored, and considerably taller members of Odysseus Corp. Honestly, it almost looked like he didn't even belong in a place such as this. Nonetheless, a hire of the organization he was, and a member of prominent ranking to boot.\n\n*`Now's the time for those mercenary-hires to arrive... If they're punctual. I believe the invitations said they were to wait at the gate, just around this time...`\n\n—of course, that information was accurate. Alois never misremembered details; remembering things, being polite, and acting as a supervisor were the only things he was useful for, after all. Briefly reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a small mirror, ensuring that there his Outer layers* Weren't chafing... `Yes, everything looks natural...`\n\n Pocketing the mirror, Alois made his way towards the single entrance-gate. As he approaches, several of the security-officers turn to view him, before clearing from his path. Silent nods make rounds through the security team positioned at the gate, as Alois lifts his right hand:\n\n```cs\n it up!\"```\n\nWordlessly, one of the many members of the security team motions, and the wired gate slides open. Alois steps out from the perimeter, now stood in wait for those personally hired by Odysseus Corp. Any of those who wished to enter the Vektet would first have to make introductions with him — then, they could enter the facility." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Well Shade, we're here. There's no turning back now, you got that?\" Josh was standing near the entrance of the Vektet, wearing a stretchy yet durable suit of unknown material. His appearance was ghost-like, with a pure white, almost goo-like body, with two protruding, curled horns coming from the top of his head. Sticking out from his back was Shade, Josh's alter-ego with a similar appearance to him, but with a darkened color scheme." }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"I'm still having second thoughts about this.. This thing is entirely alien who knows what the hell we'll find?\"" }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"That's the point of it. If I'm right, there may be something in the Vektet I can use to upgrade the TPD. If that's the case, we, and many others, could escape this timeline and finally live in peace, without the threat of more timelines being pulled in..\"\n\nJosh walked up to the gate, and waited for the rest of the mercenaries to arrive." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Everything was uncertain nowadays.\n\nThe bandit was fresh off the boat used to transport him to Balfour — Apparently this corporation was able to persuade Balfour officials to let outsiders into the country for this specific situation, but that mattered not for the thief. \n\n```fix\n\"I don't intend to fucking get stiffed this time, no matter fuckin' what.\n```\n\nHe grumbled to himself, his motorcycle approaching the perimeter of the super-structure that stood tall in the middle of The Coventry. Kuouo hit the brakes, the bike tilting as he gandered up at the structure. It was enormous — The bandit internally wondering how much bigger it was compared to the MVA headquarters he robbed many years ago considering it was the largest building he's ever been in. He clicks the kickstand onto the disheveled asphalt and shifted his bike back into capsule form. \n\n```fix\n\"If I had t' guess, the entrence is with the buncha mercs and shit.\"\n```\n\nKuouo rustled around his inventory, digging through a disorganized mess before pulling out a crumpled up piece of paper. It was odd, really, how anyone was able to find him. He'd managed to find a dingy inn to stay at and when he awoke, there was a letter halfway through the door with an enticing offer, promise of danger, and transportation instructions. He inspects the letter one last time, looking forward towards the wired perimeter and making his way to the front.\n\nIn the sea of same-faced security officers, Kuo approached the only person that stood out — A well-dressed human with a pale complexion and polite posture. Kuouo snickered to himself, laughing at the fact that the only human he's seen this pale was his girlfriend. \n\n```fix\n\"Hey, are you the guy in the letter I'm 'sposed t' talk to or justa 'nother 'mercenary' meetin' up with us?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"Yo, it's a goat-\" Shade spat out before being silenced by Josh." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Not the time, nor the place, Shade.\" Josh quickly responded." }, { "author": "Mae", "message": "```. . .In the sunlight, lives chance. Faithful, but never aloof elsewhere.```\n\n. . .The words were scribbled numbingly, nearly off the paper itself. . .\n\nThe journal was concealed into her jacket, as an Asian woman of younger distinction made her way timidly behind those that'd arrived early. She'd prefer to tread behind out of overcaution, despite arriving much earlier then her eventual co-workers. It wasn't necessarily anything tactical, but it did offer the leverage of eavesdropping on those most eager to enter this 'Vektet'. Of course, she hadn't thought of that herself, and therefore wasn't frank with anything outside of her little bubble, momentarily.\n\nA worn, leather-jacket, with cut-up, black jeans, and beat sneakers. In direct contrast, a stylish straw hat, with a wide brim, dark brown strip, and in good condition. Sometime ago, this would be considered an eye-catching appearance, but nowadays, especially here, this was almost the norm, and in her case, that was the hope. The size of the hat essentially hid her face, aside from the lips, which lightened her insecurities ever so slightly.\n\nComing from practically nowhere, yet operating with her head down, hands tugged against her sides, and heavy breaths, as if unsure of herself or her oncoming actions.\n\nWhy Is she here?\n\nWell, the sun is setting fairly soon." }, { "author": "photonomic", "message": "```diff\n- ...?```\n\nAmongst the chaos that the arrival of the superstructure was causing, a wild yelling echoed out from a short distance to the right of Alois. Two individuals stood face to face, exchanging various insults and disparaging each other. One of the two was clearly a security guard, dressed in black as night combat gear—not to mention armed with a rifle. The guard could easily be heard yelling at the man opposite him to vacate the area, but they would not back down.\n\n\"Vacate the area you damn nuisance! Civilians are not allowed inside the superstructure!\" The security guard continued to shout at the man, but to no avail.\n\n\"No way in hell dumbass—do you have any damn idea how long it took to get here?!\" The aggravated man refuted, tossing his arms down in rage as he spoke. The so-called civilian stood his ground, his shin-length cloak fluttering in the wind. He straightened himself, shutting his eyes before inhaling a large breath of air and shortly exhaling. His hand ran through the messy, brown hair atop his head, his eyes opening, \"Listen man, I know you don't believe anything I say, but I swear on my mother's life...\" The cloaked man took a step forward, \"I am G—\" The man abruptly halted his speech as the security guard shoved him down onto the ground.\n\n\"I said—vacate the area! Last warning, civilian!\" The security guard was clearly fed up with the antics of the cloaked man. \"Continue and you will be forcefully removed from the area!\" The guard threatened the man, stomping his foot.\n\n\"Motherfucker!\" The man vociferated, getting back to his feet and preparing to retaliate... But he did not. Brushing his cloak off, he turned away from the guard, \"Dickhead,\" He murmured, looking back towards Alois. His eyes widened as he noticed the mercenaries beginning to arrive. A sigh of relief was let out, the man approaching a select mercenary: Kuouo.\n\n_`What a stretch of good luck!`_\n\nThe bandit would definitely recognize the familiarity of the man's face as he approached—a face from many years ago. The cloaked man eyed Alois and gave a smirk as he passed by, wrapping his right arm around the goat's neck and turning to face the short overseer, \"Hoho, man! You've got no idea just how coincidental this is, goat.\" He backed away from the goat, allowing Kuouo to get a view of his face up close, \"Don't tell me you forgot about me over all these years, friend. Just to make sure...\" The man flourished his cape with a push of his hand, \"Gaige, back after an extended vacation! Good to see you again, thief.\" He warmly introduced himself to Kuouo, albeit gratuitous." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige moved to the bandit's side, \"With that out of the way, can you kindly inform shorty here that I'm well capable of venturing inside this... Thing? It's been a long while since I've been out on a quest like this! Yet this pipsqueak refuses to allow me in, in spite of who I am, all-cause I don't have some 'invitation',\" He placed air quotations around 'invitations' as he spoke, \"This ain't some birthday party.\" He took a breath, finalizing his rant.\n\nHe brushed his luscious brown hair back again, calming himself. \"This is besides the point. Can you _pleaaaaaase_ vouch for me, Kuouo? After all,\" He leaned in and whispered to the goat, \"You really think some mercenaries—barring yourself—are gonna thoroughly inspect this place? They're just here to shoot, stab, and kill for whoever these punks are. Just imagine the secrets inside that thing... All ripe for the taking, thief.\" He ceased his whispering, standing straight again and giving Alois a large grin as he waited for Kuouo to rectify the overseer's mistake." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Looks like we've got an interesting cast on our hands, huh Shade?\" Josh said, quite literally extending his eyes to get a good look at the other mercenaries." }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"You said it.\" Shade responded, formulating ideas for insults to throw at the crew in the case that he needed to." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"Many things move in the shadows where none can see, many more passed before their very eyes that go unnoticed, such is the world with which we inhabit.\" -\n```\nHe smiled, there really was not anything to the statement but it definitely Felt Deep, a grand commentary perhaps? It was mostly nonsense, though one such thing was currently making moves unawares.\nA small scout frigate, moved through the waters around Balfour, no one however seemed to notice, with enough money anything was possible, even creating a device to obscure moving objects completely from view.\nThe ship pulled up to the side of the island, and a car disembarked, rolling out onto the boardwalk, the current state of Balfour left much to be desired, but the emptiness of the streets proved useful to any who would rather not be seen.\nThe vehicle - a 1952 Bentley R type continental, painted a solid black with windows tinted so heavily they were effectively opaque, was quite out of place in the Coventry, yet it was not the first time it had prowled the island's streets, and any involved in the city's criminal networks would no not to touch it.\nThe car rolled through the empty streets, weaving and winding between the buildings before coming to a halt at the perimeter, it would come to a park by the side of the road in clear view, almost in taunt, surely someone would not leave such an expensive car unattended in this part of the city? Something more must lay beneath the surface. \nStepping out of the car was a presumably human man standing at a completely average height of 5'11, - presumed due to the fact that not a single part of his physical appearance was visible, he wore a strange combination of formal clothes, a shirt and waist coat with tie, and also sleek solid black armour inlaid with intricate lines that would seem to indicate mechanics.\n\nHis right arm indeed seemed entirely mechanical, the joints and muscles made of hundreds of small perfectly interlocking pieces of metal, he wore a strange helmet that looked like something you would find in a comic book and not in real life, solid black with 2 glowing eyes, and a metallic star for some detail. The outfit was entirely gray scale, black and white with the only colour being the magenta glow of the eyes.\nThe man came equipped with mysterious weaponry, a gun hung from his back, that was sleek and futuristic, looking halfway between a normal gun and something straight out of a sci fi, and what appeared to be a sword, or at least the handle of a sword attached at the hip, as well as many pockets and pouches with unknown contents." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "Exiting the vehicle behind him was a strange creature, some sort of a drone, it was spherical, with the bottom half opening into 4 spider like legs and a single thruster, upon its top half lay an eye that glowed the same colour as the man's own mask, the drone shut the car door behind the man, flying up a ways, spinning its head around to scan the surroundings before landing on the man's back and clutching to his shoulder like a strange parrot." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "The man adjusted his tie, making his way over to the entrance.\n```diff\n- \"Woah woah, is that Kuouo Aiche Dee i spy?\"\n```\nThe man spoke with a very distinct Irish accent, and with a great amount of self confidence leading one to think he actually knew what he was doing, though he knew that wasn't exactly true.\n```diff\n- \"I dont mean to interupt your convesation, you dont know me but i know you, i was expecting to see a whole load of nobodies but its reasuring to know we'll have a few competent people here\" -\n```\nHe gave a wink- though literally no one would be able to tell given his helmet, and a hearty laugh though, nothing he said was actually funny.\nBefore anyone could respond he walked off, making it kind of awkward if anyone were to try." } ]	140.5	3,534
432	2022-04-14	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Through the front gate arrives a certainly odd creature, dressed in a fine bout of armor made of both leather & pieces of fine steel overlapping - scale mail.\n\nAtop this curious' creature's head lay a lone pair of brown goggles, and on their back a rather simplistic backpack. With them, they lug an intricate metallic suitcase, made of indescribable material — two small satchels are attached to the waist of their armor, seemingly serving little purpose to what meets the eye, alongside a pigskin carrying water. The creature itself is cat-like — no, not a catgirl, but rather just a tabaxi with more cat than humanoid features, standing at around 5'6\" With primarily black fur, a white muzzle, and 2 gray markings above her yellow — cat-ish — eyes. Under her right shoulder is a simple journal, unrevealing of its secrets to the general public, aside from the owner's name splayed across it. \n\n`'Tabby Browncoat'.`\n\nTheir left arm — the one lugging the suitcase — has a strange gauntlet surrounding it, made up entirely of real gold. Evident to any bandit who knows a thing or two about precious metals. \n\n\"Hi!\" So not only is she cat-like, she also speaks.. \"This is the place, right? The Vektet?\" The cat speaks with a lot of inflection, cheeriness, and a very, very slight lisp as her tails flicks behind her. \"I heard this place had some really interesting magic — do you think it has a War Mage's staff??\" Her eyes glitter with excitement as she speaks in a very rapid manner, turning and quickly pressing a button atop her strange luggage.\n\n. . .\n\nThe luggage quickly unhinges itself at the top, making a gear-like creaking sound as it fully extends, revealing a pretty large automaton, standing at a staggering 7 feet tall, over its previous height of just 2 feet. Its eye let out a hum, as the machine itself actually powers on; its white LED-eyes taking a moment to scan the surrounding area for any 'leads', yet does not seem to talk like the feline owner does. Phew." }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "Alois' eyes silently gazed as the group of \"Invited guests\" Made their way towards the gate. With his arms neatly folded behind his back, he stood upright, perfectly still — without a hint of movement — and a slight grin, present only for courtesy, as each made their way settled before him. —With the exception of Gaige, that was. The red irises within his almost pearly, artificial eyes briefly stared with intent at each of the new arrivals at the moment that they came within his proximity, scrutinizing each of their figures from top-to-bottom, as if verifying their identities. Alois was to be polite when he could — but never to be incorrect; initial courtesies would have to wait until After He ensured these were, indeed, the mercenaries that they invited, and Only the mercenaries That they invited.\n\nFor this time-slot, that was.\n\nKuouo, Who had arrived slightly earlier than most other mercenaries, queried Alois, who had remained motionless up until that point. With an acknowledging, slight bow, and his persisting grin of courtesy, he turned to face him.\n\n```cs\n I am Alois, your guide, and the one with whom the letter disclosed you were to meet. As a representative of 𝘖𝘥𝘺𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘴 Corporation, I have been eagerly awaiting your group's arrival. Our scouts personally sought each of you out for your unique and substantial competence in this field of work.\"```\n\nPale he was, unnaturally pale, and the complexion of his skin was as if he had thoroughly powdered it. But he wouldn't verbally acknowledge that, instead placing a hand to his cheek, remaining silent, and smiling. Then, he turned away from the bandit, lowered his hand, and stared off into the distance, as if the conversation never even happened. His speech was fluid, elegant, with a hint of nobleness, and professional, yet lacking of any intimacy typically seen in a conversion shared from one person to another.\n_ _\n\nTo the catlike lady, Tabby, Alois gives a nod of the head, and polite, yet empty chuckle in acknowledgement of her latter query — on the presence of a staff of some sort...?\n\n```cs\n correct. This is the Vektet, as reported.\"\n Apologize, but there perhaps may not be something so specific as the staff you seek, madame. There is assuredly, however, the unique magics that you may have heard of. Them, and much more.\"```\n\nAlois laid his palm of his pigmentless right hand upon the breast of his embellished garb, his smile persisting as he finished his answer. Though, again, he turned away from her, disregarded the presence of her technological construction, lowered his hand, and stared off into the distance, as if the conversation never even happened.\n\n```cs\n\n\nHe seemed to come to attention.\n_ _\n\n```cs\n that man off the premises.\" \nAlois spoke unempathetically, motioning towards Gaige. The group of faceless soldiers surrounding the gate slowly enclose on Gaige. If there was a case to be made for him, it would have to be made swiftly.\n\n Rest of you, please follow me. I will make introduction once more: I am Alois, your guide. I will be assisting you with the embarkment procedure of the Vektet, and will further assist you once we have reached its interior.\"```\n\n\nSo he spoke, making a curt turn 180-degrees, pacing towards the Vektet. Were they to follow — anyone but Gaige, of course — the soldiers would prove to be no impediment. They'd be allowed free passage through the militaristic perimeter formed about the base of the Vektet, and granted further insight on just how its interior looked. Tents covered the perimeter, each in different colors — apparently denoting their staff-specifications — with construction workers, security officer, and researchers roaming through the premises, each attending their own individual tasks. Growing closer and closer to the Vektet, a subtle, yet clearly tangible chill begins to permeate the atmosphere.\n_ _\n\n```cs\n I will brief you on some basic details that we've ascertained to be true of the Vektet, the challenges you may face, and the equipment that you'll be utilizing. First, however, I'll need you each to sign a few papers.\"```\n\nAlois spoke, encroaching on a foldable plastic table, atop which several documents and pens laid. He stood to the side of the table, politely motioning the following group towards the hoard of legal waivers remained. From a brief glance, and even a thorough inspection, they'd be revealed to be Waivers severing Odysseus* Corp.'s liability from any potential injuries or even Fatalities Within the Vektet. Further, there were contracts possessing possession and nondisclosure clauses that They would not be permitted to take anything out of the Vektet without express permission from Odysseus Corp., and were not permitted to speak of anything they saw within once they left. Compliance with the contract and succeeding to clear a single floor would, individually, grant them with a sizeable reward, whereas violation would be met with Major fines and penalties.** Likely a standard type of contract, for this type of deal.\n\n```cs\n signing of both documents are mandatory, if you wish for Odysseus Corporation to assist you in the exploration of the Vektet. Once you all have signed, I will assist you with the entrance process.\"```" }, { "author": "Mae", "message": "Carefully and subtle, she lightly followed by keeping herself behind everyone. It wasn't the time to socialize, and if the opportunity presented itself, she'd have to think hard, but swiftly on it. Talking To others, less it be dire circumstance, wasn't her strength for a multitude of reasons, and required great thought process to execute Properly. Alois, the pale guide, seemed all business based on his interactions with respective goat and cat humanoids, as well as the rude stranger. All else could be made note of, at a later time.\n\nMeanwhile, underneath her hat, from anyone who cared to pay attention, she'd push an inhaler against her lips. The woman attempted to be secretive about it, but it was evident that it was in correlation to her heavier breathing since arriving— perhaps even a medical condition— and an obvious weakness, at that. Her hope that she'd 'blend in' wasn't Exactly Accurate, but the characters around her certainly helped maintain a lower profile for the most part. Nobody knew of her, or what she could do, which was good.\n\nA document, that needs to be signed. An understandable measure, being the likely danger of such an expedition, albeit a slight level of concern for her. The concept of what failure entitled was. . . Troublesome, but also the lack of mutual trust when it came to corporation like such in America— or anywhere, these days— meaning, she could only feel the need to read the paper in its entirety. Even so, she was here, and for valid reason, as she made a quick move to jar past the crowd, and be the first with a pen in her hands.\n\n. . .\n\nAn Impulse, that went against her entire approach. However, she already had the writing utensil, it'd be strange not to begin writing. Too strange, as she attempted to read, but stumbled every so often.\n\nAnd still, not a word from the woman." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Sir, if I may ask, will both Shade and I have to sign, or will we be counted as the same entity?\" Josh said, doing a partial salute." }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"Yeah what he said.\" Shade said, doing a small wave." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Upon news that such an artefact was likely not present, Tabby visibly deflates a bit, before bouncing back with the remaining enthusiasm she had left for what could possibly be the inner workings of the magic in this place. She pulls out the notebook from under her arm and reaches into one of the very small bags on her armor's waist, pulling out a small pen from Edison. She flips through easily hundreds of pages, before scratching something off of the book and closing it back up. The tabaxi then takes said book, and stuffs it into the impossibly small bag, which happily accepts it, as if somehow it were natural for such an object to just disappear when entering the lining of the carrier. The pen, likewise, is also dropped into it; vanishing as well.\n\nBefore, of course, she sees the papers and rather swiftly pulls the pen back out again. Cat's got a preference! She quickly reaches for the documents, scratching her name down in rather basic print — not too messy, not too tidy. \n\nWorry not, Tabby's not a thief. Right? Right. At least, she doesn't think she is. Right? Right.\n\nThe cat turns and stands at the gentleman — Alois' — side, awaiting further instructions. Her robotic pal quickly scoops her up, setting her atop its shoulders. \"I'm ready!\" The cat mews rather excitedly. Magic is always so intricate." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```Huh? There ain't no way—```\n\nThe voice yelling at the guards was all too familiar to the bandit. As the man wrapped his arm around the goat, he couldn't help but feel a platonic intimacy between the two. There was no longer any doubt as the familiar stranger backed away and revealed himself with the dorky Woosh Of his cape:\n\n```bash\n\"Gaige, back after an extended vacation! Good to see you again, thief.\" \n```\n\nAlthough the bandit thought it was odd for some Actual Stranger to acknowledge him in the middle of a conversation, he smiled towards the helmeted man's compliments after they walked away.\n\nHe turns his attention back to Gaige, holding his paw out and shaking his old friends hand.\n\n```fix\n\"Holy shit Gaige — After the Syyth battle you... You jus' disappeared! Ya can't just fuckin' duck out after the two of us saved the whole fuckin' world from bein' destroyed ya know! I knew you didn't die, there was jus' no way... Even if that bow drained the holy hell outta ya.\"\n```\nAt this point, Kuouo took notice of the others — The golden-gauntlet armed tabaxi cat, that of whom he was unsure of whether or not they were of monster origins, the quiet woman keeping to herself, the monster duo making loud observations of others, and of course, the helmeted man from earlier...\n\n``Yeah, it'd definitely be cool t' have Gaige on this team. We gotta catch up after all...``\n\nThe goat looks at the Oddyseyus Corp. Soldiers slowly encroaching on Gaige before swiftly leaping to his defense, lightly shoving all the soldiers back and grabbing Gaige by the arm. He enthusiastically drags him all the way to the cheap plastic table, slamming his paw onto the table to make himself clear,\n\n```fix\n\"I'm officially vouchin' for my guy Gaige here! I dunno how you guys dunno, but he's also someone who valiantly fought against Syyth in the final battle for the world. Make him a contract or somethin', I don't care! Jus' know he's insanely powerful!\"\n```\n\nHe stared Alois down in the eyes with a smirk... As the table bent and pens rolled down onto the ground." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "He watched as Kuouo's eye lit up at the sight of the cloaked man, \"Been a long while, goat!\" He lightly flinched at the goat's abrupt, violent shaking of his hand. Gaige listened as Kuouo elucidated his feelings about his return, \"Right, Syyth. It really has been quite a long time since then huh...\" His voice lowered to an incomprehensible murmur, \"Felt like just yesterday.\" He shook his head to regain focus, unclasping his hand from the bandit's. \"Oh damn! I completely forgot about that bow. A friend of mine ain't got any idea where it might've went after that battle unfortunately. Ah well—it's nigh impossible for any of us to use in the end. Good to see you again anyhow, Kuouo.\" Gaige reminisced on the world-threatening attack five years ago.\n\nHis thought process was interrupted without warning, his eyes widening as the bandit dragged him away from the soldiers and to the desk. Gaige's ears were wide open at as Kuouo vouched for him, shutting his eyes and grinning with a chuckle. \"Fought against Syyth... Check. Insanely powerful? Mmmm check,\" Gaige echoed Kuouo's words, opening his eyes. \"See, shorty?\" Gaige gave a slight chuckle, \"I'm not as useless as you like to think, so why don't you let me head on in? It's just as the thief said: I am something of a 'hero'.\" The cloaked man's ego grew with every word he spoke, but with the gracious support of the bandit, he was confident Alois would have to reconsider.\n\n_ _\n\"Though, I've had my fair share of contracts in the past not work out in my favor. Do I truly need to sign some paper? Why not just think of me as a... Wildcard or something? The support of your corporation or whatever is unnecessary for me.\" He spoke with the utmost confidence in his own abilities, \"Can't you just, let me slip in contractless? If it makes you feel better, I'll immediately split away from the group and go my own path. Doesn't a higher chance of seeing me dead make you ecstatic?\" Gaige offered a somewhat morbid alternative, crossing his arms. Gaige was speaking as if Alois had already agreed to allow him in. The man's ego continued its skyrocket throughout the conversation.\n\nHe gave a deep sigh, \"If I _really_ have to, I'll sign the damn papers, but I'll be furious if this ends up biting me in the ass, shorty.\" He said with a stern facial expression, awaiting a response from the overseer." } ]	431	3,456
320.315789	2022-04-15	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Alois", "message": "```cs\n sir, forgive me, but I do not recall a man with your name ever being invited onto the premises. I do not wish to escalate a conflict with you. However, you truly must leave. We are on strict time and personnel schedules, and regardless of your origins, former accomplishments, or talents, you are an unknown factor which may pose a threat to the safety of the expedition team entering the Vektet.\"```\n\nAlois — simply for courtesy, yet again — put on a remorseful tone and a slight, half-understanding frown, as he carefully explained to the man before him. Entirely disregarding the discourse on just how useful he would be to the expedition, as was argued by both Kuouo and Gaige himself, Alois gave a polite, apologetic bow. Then, yet again, he stood straight from his bow, emptied his gaze, turned towards the gate's security team, and motioned, as if the conversion had never even happened.\n\n```cs\n this man from the premises.\"```\n \n*The security team rushes towards Gaige, grasping him by each arm and, quite forcefully, pulling him back towards the gate. Considering how well-armed they were, resisting would likely end up in a less-than-favorable result.\n\nAlois didn't bat an eye as Gaige was dragged off. An unexpected factor who was unwilling to work under Odysseus Corp.'s stipulations was of no use to this expedition team. For their goals, he was more of a liability than an assisting member of the team.\n_ _" }, { "author": "[...]", "message": "The masked man gazed from within his gray tent as he witnessed the cloaked man — the one he had distinctly, even from a distance, heard introduce himself as Gaige — get dragged off, towards the gate.\n\n`SSSSP`\n\n\n`\"ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ʟɪᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇᴛᴇɴᴄᴇ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ꜱᴍɪᴅɢᴇᴏɴ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴍᴀɴ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴍᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇʀᴏᴄɪᴏᴜꜱ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴛ. ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ ᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʟʏ. ɪɢɴᴏʀᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴏᴡɴ ɪɢɴᴏʀᴀɴᴄᴇ.\"`\n\n`HSSS`\n\nHe murmured, from beneath his gas mask, his muffled words unheard by anyone. Lowering his head, he emerged from the tent, stood in the sunlight at an exceptional 196 cm. His stature was impressive, yet his build remained unseen, overshadowed by a draping cloak that hid the specifics of his body from the shoulders-down. Rough, rubbery combat boots PRESS against the ground carefully. Silent. Eerily silent.\n\n`\"ꜱᴏᴄɪᴇᴛʏ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪꜱ ɪɴꜱᴏʟᴇɴᴛ. ᴘᴜᴛʀɪᴅ. ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ. ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴡʜᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪ ᴄᴀᴍᴇ, ʜᴇʀᴏᴇꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴄᴇʟᴇʙʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛꜱ. ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ. ꜱʟᴀʏᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇᴀꜱᴛꜱ. ʟɪʙᴇʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʏʀᴀɴᴛꜱ. ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅꜱ.\"`\n\n`SSS—CK`\n\n—The oxygen supply in his mask briefly stopped up, and he found himself wheezing. A cough, yet his stride did not stop, as he approached directly behind the guards who dragged Gaige away, yet remained completely unseen. Then, extending an arm—\n\n`\"ɪᴛ ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ɴᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴡɴ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ'ꜱ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴀᴄᴋ, ɪꜰ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇɴ ᴏɴᴇ ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ.\"`\n\n—he forcefully pushes one of the guards aside with ease. They appear, at first, to show signs of hostility — yet regress as soon as they see who the act came from. As if... There was a degree of fear.\n\n`\"ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ɢᴀɪɢᴇ. ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴀꜱᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʀᴜᴇ.\"`\n_ _\n\nAs swiftly as he spoke, he grasped Gaige's left arm, lifting it from his cloak, and bringing it to his masked eyes. Carefully, closely, he scrutinizes...\n\n`SSSSP`\n\n`\"ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ'ꜱ ꜰʟᴇꜱʜ. ᴀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ'ꜱ ᴠᴇɪɴꜱ. ʏᴇꜱ, ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴇᴇ ɪᴛ. ꜱᴍᴇʟʟ ɪᴛ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ. ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ.\"`\n\n—he spoke, turning without a further word, returning to his gray tent." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Gaige gave Alois a scornful glare, \"After all that, huh?\" He motioned his arms in a shrug, \"It's your loss in the end, shorty. If this expedition fails, just remember—it was your choice to turn my expertise down.\" He affixed his gaze to Kuouo, \"It was a good attempt, bandit. I was convinced that'd work, but what a shame. Wish you luck on your little expedition; perhaps we'll see each other again after you return.\" Gaige spoke his final words before allowing the security team to take him away.\n\nThe cloaked man could more than likely easily handle one, two, even three of these pushover guards; the sheer amount of them though made the idea of resistance a pipe dream. The mercenaries served as wildcards as well if he were to combat the security force. He also had little interest in identifying himself as a criminal. This analysis left Gaige with the unfortunate outcome of compliance to Alois. Gaige's expression changed to one of sorrow as he was dragged away, his hopes of acquiring greater strength in his quest shattered.\n\nHe abruptly lifted his head up as the muffled voice began to speak from behind one of the guards. He watched as some of the guards began to slowly back away from him; the former hero donned a look of confusion at what was happening, `The security force is... Scared of this guy?` He thought to himself as the security guards which grasped him relinquished their grip on him. He did not halt the masked man from grasping and examining his arm, \"This a skill of yours or something? I'm gonna assume it's accurate...? I don't lie when I say I'm the Gaige from five years ago.\" He said with a smirk, shutting himself up afterwards to allow the man to work in silence.\n\n_ _\nHe slowly returned his arm to his side as the masked man finalized his inspection. \"Well? You see I'm telling the truth?\" He inquired; perhaps his hopes were not shattered yet. He raised an eyebrow at the man's response, `Smell it...? Ah—doesn't matter.` He rolled his neck, moving past the fearful security guards and following the stranger into his tent without speaking a word." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "The man followed Alois through into the military encampment, he needn't look around, his sight laser focused forwards, instead he lifted 2 fingers and made a twirling motion, then continued to where the contracts lay, he made careful work to read every word and detail down to the fine print, the contract was troubling, directly interfering with his goals however he had a very simple way to work around it, signing confidently, with a simple X." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "Upon receiving signal from Cumhall the drone flew up a ways, its head span around taking in the area and transmitting the data to Cumhall acting as his eyes, once done it hovered around his head, giving an alert bleep as it watched his back." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"I dont see how an extra set of hands would be a detriment to us, i can only see benifits, surely if he signs the contract then he can only help your intrests.\" -\n``` He spoke without even looking back towards the group as he placed down the contract, reaching into one of his many satchels and drawing out a hip flask, he went to take a drink completely forgetting he was wearing a helmet, then quickly put it away, cursing under his breath.\nHe composed himself, adjusting his tie and turned around.\n```diff\n- \"Unless you have something specficially against this one man it seems odd to deny him, with such good credentials and with you clearly in need of hands\" -\n```\nHe motioned around vaguely to the camp and the barebones militia that occupied it.\n```diff\n- \"Generally people who put out search for mercinaries are not in position to deny them? Am i not right?\" -\n```" }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone did a lap around Cumhalls head, releasing a few beeps that seemed to be backing up the man' s statements before remembering its duty and going back to watching with its head on a swivel." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "She watches as the guards drag away the odd \"\"Hero\"\" Person, taking in that somebody says they don't know the world history — of course she doesn't! Who does? It's not even her choice, regardless. \n\nSeeing the goat go up to bat against the aforementioned peacekeepers, Tabby simply tilts her head, flicks her tail, and Considers* Doing remotely anything useful, but banishes the thought nigh immediately. Her defender stands tall, keeping the cat atop its very broad, metallic shoulders. For all the razzle-dazzle on the wielder, the golem seems to be rather lackluster; a piece not often used or refined, likely thrown together last second. Still, despite that, it remains a marvel how it can fit into such a small suitcase-form-factor.\n\n\"Yes, you would be correct.\" The artificer calls down, responding to Cumhall's inquiries, \"But if someone shows up who isn't invited, then they might not have the necessary paperwork to fill out... Would I be correct in guessing that, sir?\" She questions Alois, putting her right elbow down atop the behemoth's head and leaning on her hand as she talks, pushing her goggles around and messing her fur up ever-so-slightly." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Not to be rude, but we should hurry this the hell up.\" Josh said, responding to the other mercenaries.\n\nJosh continued, \"Whether or not that guy joins doesn't matter to me, but we're wasting time here. The Vektet has technology unknown to human and monster kind, and the sooner we can explore it and figure out what this stuff does, the better. Don't you want a way to escape this hell hole of a timeline?\"" }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"I know I'm not a part of this conversation, but like I just wanna hurry up and explore the damn thing already.\" Shade unnecessarily added." }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "Alois payed no attention as Gaige's escorting-out-of-the-premises was essentially hijacked by the unnamed, gas-masked man. Instead, he focused his attention on those before him, still smiling, waiting patiently as they signed off on the contracts. Quietly, he was observing — yet without peering, as not to be rude.\n\n```cs\n you are two sentient individuals,\"\nAlois spoke with a pause, staring at the peculiar figure that was Josh,\n please, sign with both names.\"```\n\nNot a moment was wasted, and Alois had already returned back to his expressionless, careless demeanor, that sought only to complete business. Then, another issue to resolve... Alois was worried that his skin would start chafing before they could actually get any work done. Now, that would just be plain problematic, wouldn't it...? He has to wrap up this process sooner, rather than later.\n\n```cs\n Odysseus Corporation, we seek only the highest-quality of workers, with innovative minds and efficient work structures. As such, each member of this squadron was personally sought out by the best of our scouts, and vetted ahead of time to ensure the greatest probability of a favorable outcome on this dangerous expedition.\"\n\n#\" You are valued guests, and so too are your opinions, yet this man was not extended the same invitation as you were. He did not go through the same, rigorous organization and investigation that you did, and thus is an unknown factor in an otherwise perfectly-orchestrated plan.\"\n\n It is a shame to deny such a serendipitous encounter of natural talent, to allow a stranger into our midst would go against the careful, planning nature of Odysseus Corporation's business structure. Does that make sense?\"```\n_ _\n\nAlois explained with a rather monotone voice, as if he was reciting some form of script that he had once overlooked. Yet, it was spoken with such fluidity that, despite its cold and uncaring nature, was quite impressive. He must've memorized the entire thing from top-to-bottom, still retaining his elegant and courteous, apologetic tone as he spoke.\n\n```cs\n for those of you which have not yet signed,\"\nHe said, motioning towards Kuouo. The fact that he had not yet signed would not go unnoticed.\n Do so, and then follow me. I will restate... The signing of this contract is essential for a smooth, cooperative work environment between you contract workers and Odysseus Corporation. Please understand our caution in this formality.\"```\n\nAlois slowly stepped away from the plastic table, turning towards the Vektet, Yet briefly stared over his shoulder, ensuring they finished up their business.\n\n```cs\n on...\"\n Will be discussing with you all some of the equipment that you will be using while aboard the Vektet. I will not sugarcoat this: it is a highly hostile and foreign environment, and so, Odysseus Corporation has devised certain countermeasures and pieces of equipments to offset its detriments.\"\n\n — the V.A.R.E.T, or simply the Varet, short for the Vektet-class Anomalistic Realm Exploration Tether.\"```\n\nOnce closer to the Vektet, Alois stepped towards a tent, positioned quite close to its base. Briefly stepping into the tent, he returned from its interior, a strange, satchel-like device within his hands. Two, unarmored staff members also exit the tent with him, each holding two of the devices themselves, as Alois continued to explain.\n_ _\n\n```cs\n some precursory analysis of how the Vektet functions, and failing several initial attempts to enter it, it has become apparent to us that it is impossible to enter the superstructure through traditional means. The Vektet, itself, has no physical means of entry. Rather, it utilizes what appears to be an onboard form of teleportation, whose specifics we have deciphered over the past two days.\"\n\nAlois further approached the Vektet. Now, they stood at the very base of the superstructure, a massive, sealed, gate-like structure towering before them.\n\n Gate-like entrance at the base of the Vektet is not intended to be used as an entrance point, in a traditional sense. Rather, we believe that it is a form of emergency exit, which utilizes the aforementioned on-board teleportation principles, which I described earlier. The V.A.R.E.T directly interferes with this transportation system, and repurposes this emergency-exit to be used as a form of entry to the Vektet.\"\n\n Analysis akin to spectrographing, we have determined that there are more gates within the Vektet that may be repurposed using this function of the V.A.R.E.T. Once you have cleared a floor, activate the device like so,\"\n\nAlois spoke, pressing a switch on the satchel-like device. \n\n You will form a two-way transportative gate between this repurposed emergency exit and the internal gate which you stand at. Deposit the V.A.R.E.T at this position, and Odysseus Corporation can use the V.A.R.E.T to extract you from the Vektet, as well as send in reinforcements directly to the gate.\"```\n\nWith a motion of his hand, the two unarmored staff-members that followed Alois withdrew more equipment. Ear-pieces, they seemed... And some form of eye-contacts?\n_ _" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat shakes her head, ready to depart with her robot. She outstretches her hand for both a VARET and the components to the RASWLT.\n\nUpon reception of these things, she places her equipment as described. The robot gets nothing. The robot is weak. It does not deserve these things. Weak. She takes note of the instructions required to activate the VARET, but not much else. She pulls one of the bags off of her waist, reaching into it and observing a few small knicknacks, palming them thoughtfully. For a few of them, she examines up close, sliding the goggles down her face to cover her eyes. It appears that they also have some sort of magnifying effect, allowing her to interface with the objects she holds. Once they pass the visual inspection, they are inserted right back into the bag. \n\nThe tabaxi unsheathes her claws, unscrewing a few things on her gauntlet with said claws; no doubt a precise skill to master. A few compartments hinge open as she does this. She takes the second bag off of her waist and proceeds to insert a few things into these strange compartments. One compartment appears to received hand-carved dice, likely done once again by the artificer's claws, very sticky solution in another, a couple small iron balls... And a canister of gas with a very simple white smile on it. She presses a button on the top, all hinges closing shut to allow her to screw them back into place. Last, but not least, she presses another button; electric batteries powering arcs of lightning across the two gauntlets. With that, she raises them above head — allowing the sparks to arc and crackle between her two palms. The gate closes, and the lightning shuts back off. \n\nThe cat lowers her hands back under the chin of her mounted familiar, \"Allllll squared away!\" She calls out. \"Ready for whatever this place holds.\"" }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"Thank you, sir.\" Both Josh and Shade proceed to sign the papers, then analyzing the devices before them.\n\"So the VARET can intercept the emergency exit and form a teleportation gateway, and the Raswalt can decode the language within the Vektet? This tech is honestly impressive!\" Josh exclaimed." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "She stifles a laugh upon hearing this outburst, though it is apparent on her face. She quickly composes herself however; pretending as if nothing happened.\n\nThis place isn't the Forgotten Realms, this is far from it.. Perhaps this is not readily available through magic here. She reminds herself." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo reached his paw out, trying to grab Gaige but hesitates at the sight of Gaige being pulled away by multiple guards. \n\n```Damn, giving up that easy?-```\n``nah man... C'mon! Come back!``\n\nThough there was a sorrow look in Gaige's eyes, Kuo hoped that his friend could re-kindle his motivation to find his own way inside. Kuo turned towards his contract with a grimace, skimming the fine print as Gaige's resistance towards signing echo throughout his mind. \n\n```So they really don't want us to sue them, talk shit, or steal shit. Well two outta the three are still gonna happen - What are they gonna do, sue a prison escapee? Throw me in their jail? The hell do they expect by vettin' a bandit to explore this shit?```\n\nKuo slides the pen in-between his left paw's middle and index finger, needlessly twirling it before putting it to paper and scribbling his signature. Surprisingly, although it wasn't the fanciest, it still had a pretty nice flow to it.\n\n``daheh! Nice. That's gonna be my mangaka signature.``\n\nKuo listened into the monotonous man explaining the technology they use to get in and out of the super-structure — ``oh no.``\n\nFear strikes harshly into the Bandit's ~~heart~~ — Rather, his stomach as the word 'teleportation' was mentioned. What with the restricted diet, teleportation sickness did Not Sound like a fun thing to deal with... \n\nHe was already looking queasy.\n\n... But that didn't matter in the end. As the etiolated man furthered his explanations with the second device, it shifted the bandit's attention away from the future nausea he was about to endure. A device that could translate a new language in real-time with nothing but a contact lens and a bluetooth ear piece? Although the thief constantly has his judgement clouded by his hotheaded stubborness, his perception was rather clear despite Gaige's forced escort irking him quite a bit...\n\n```That's a cool as fuck piecea tech, but there ain't no w a y it isn't gonna be used for watchin' us. I better watch it with what I do. Gaige made a good point about companies like this biting you on the ass.```\n\nKuouo pushes the second-rate table aside, stepping forward and reaching for the pair of tech. He stuffs the Varet into his inventory and equips the Raswalt with ease from the earlier days of his cosplaying. He blinks a couple times, making sure it was adjusted to be at least somewhat comfortable. \n\nBlink, blink...\n\nTo his left, a strange symbiotic duo and to his right a (possibly) monster cat riding a giant golem. Kuo looked out of the corner of his eye, making a slight observation of the masked man who 'know who he was' — and one especially for the girl who has yet to say a word throughout this whole ordeal.\n\n```I need to watch myself. Can't believe I'm workin' on a job where I might have to worry 'bout snitches, daheh - But still, I've been worried about bein' stiffed again this whole time. Ever since this disparity, shit's been crazy.```\n\nThe sensation of the mage's powerful aura buzzed through Kuo's body in response to remembering that tiring ordeal. He shook his head and focused his gaze on the large sealed gate Alois professionally stood in front of.\n\n```fix\n\"I bet there's gonna be some crazy shit inside, huh?\"\n```" }, { "author": "Mae", "message": ". . .\n\nNot even a look, and several minutes in. Good.\n\nEveryone here meant business, regardless of their varying personality types. Blending into the background of slight tension, it was seamless for her to attempt a read on individuals of interest. In particular, the rude beggar Seemed Apparently of more importance then given thought, whereas the goat-like entity had a connection, perhaps even deepened, and in turn was potentially equal in relevance. The alternatively horned and his. . . Companion, fretted to have a larger agenda at stake. Meanwhile, the cat-like one, presumed as 'Tabby Browncoat' based on a booklet upon her shoulder, had her own peculiarities of general exclamation. The well-dressed, and well-spoken foreigner bared the same explanation.\n\nAll unique characters that'd seek deeper analysis later, and to an extent where she was an afterthought for the moment. As for the man of status, Alois, and his explanation, it seemed fairly straightforward and expected of such a dangerous adventure. Once more, in subtle, exact strides, and in tightened control of herself in contrast to the former, she'd grab the required technologies after everyone else, and return to her shaded area quietly. \n\nThe woman attempted to strike when her upcoming co-workers all seemed preoccupied as yet another measure to not draw attention being the advantage and ease of operation she had on her side. Still, she clasped her hands together and awaited anxiously for forwarding of objectives. Things were taking a little longer then she would've preferred, and she'd made peace with the momentary precautions.\n\nJust remain composed, and uninteresting." }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"Josh, can I have your phone?\" Shade asked pleadingly." }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"No, Shade.\" Josh responded.\n\n\"I didn't bring it, anyways. There's no flash photography allowed because this is a restricted zone.\"\n\nJosh proceeded to retract his arms until they were visibly missing, then lean on the railing for relaxation." }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "Shade, now bored, retracted himself back into Josh's body, seeming to disappear" } ]	93	6,086
271	2022-06-07	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Kuouo took the lead, feeling the tips on his fur suddenly grow cold despite basking in the warmth of the transformed star a lot longer. It was a different chill, completely unlike the snowy forests of Snowdin and more akin to a magic frost or void. Without a second thought, he stepped onto the platform - a cylindrical stone much like the first he was led onto by the now deceased Alois. More than likely, anybody seeing outsiders — or Anyone For that matter, ascend from the First Floor will react in the same regard as the Knights of Sol. As the bandit loses his corporeality, he prepared himself, not only for the possible battles ahead of him, but... Well, everything! The outsiders actions, across the spectrum of good, bad, and questionable had changed the Vektet to its very core! It was one thing for the bandit to assist in the creation of a cure against the Veirok Root; the brand created by the 'Taae Chit Ezer' to punish the worst of exiles, but for his actions to lead up to a change - a freeing of the entirety of all exiles within the first floor, dizzied his mind...\n\nAlongside the teleportation sickness of course-\n\nHe felt the contents of his stomach rise, gripping it tightly before his eyes widened and he wretche-\n\nPreoccupied by the uprising of the herbal tea in his body, Kuouo misses the interruption of the V.A.R.E.T system marking the checkpoint and whisking the group back to Earth. Upon arrival he felt... Better? It felt like the vomit had left his body during transport... Or perhaps it just got lost within the halls of Hyperspace. Either way, his brow immediately furrows - The air on this floor was strange, thick, and marred with the offensive scent of Smog. He walked forward, opening the door to see a fully armed militia of same-faced soldiers standing upright in a line. His heart jumped for a second before the obvious realization smacked him across the head.\n\n```fix\n\"Oh. We're in Balfour.```\n\nHis eyes lowered, initially displaying a slightly-disgusted disappointment before he caught sight of his shattered leg, the V.A.R.E.T. Beeping as he did so.\n\n```fix\n\"OH WAIT, WE'RE IN BALFOUR!!! HEY-HEY! I'mma go stock up on so much food you don't even fuckin' know! I know jus' the place, too! If anyone wants t' come, jus' follow me if ya can. Aight?\"```\n\nAlthough Kuouo was fully prepared to trek the Vektet with a broken leg, he had completely forgotten he could've, in reality, just made his way out with the V.A.R.E.T. His mind was indeed set on bringing the First Floor at least some sort of peace and he was just absolutely immersed in his journey. Now though, he could heal his leg up to brand-new status and keep up his stamina for when he returns.\n\nGggrrrrrooowwwwlllll...\n\nAnd of course, get a much, much, needed bite to eat. Kuouo walked out of the tent, once again meeting the sight of the armed militia standing tall. He slightly sighed, knowing that more than likely, he was going to be questioned and all that junk. He'd have to brunt the corporate stuff though if it meant getting any possible reimbursement for their exploration." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "The cat follows not-far behind and quickly gets out ahead of the pack, still riding out on her Defender as she entered; leg still twisted, of course. The tabaxi wastes no time walking forward, following the goat a short ways before turning around. \"Hey. If you're going back in there and the other guy is too, keep an eye on him, okay?\" She calls out to the bandit, \"He'll get himself killed if not!\"\n\nWithout so much as another word, the artificer makes like the wind — her two automatons rushing off with her in tow to a place just out of sight. Seems she's in a hurry!" }, { "author": "/////", "message": "Suddenly — Whack — as the goat leaves to enter the tent, he somehow runs face-first into someone Much, much bigger, who immediately kneels down; the sheer amount of armor on this person is enough to make any 5th Edition Paladin weep tears of joy, yet... This isn't a Paladin.\n\nNo, this is..." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "__The Rook__, the one from that attack on the very city that surrounds this Ark a few years back. The massively over-armored, over-compensating mass of hulking fine armor bends the knee to the goat and quickly takes his hand. \"Oh dear, I'm... So sorry about that! It seems I don't know my own size...\"\n\nFood.\n\nFood.\n\nFOOD.\n\nAs the words Finally Register in the mind of the man, his eyes start sparkling from under the helmet that topped his suit of platinum-colored armor.\n\n\"Did you say...\" The behemoth leans in for this word, though continues to speak at the same volume level as before\n\n__\"Food?\"__" } ]	143	1,084
294	2022-06-08	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Agh, augh my nose.. Geez pal, ya gotta watch where yer standin'.\"```\n\nKuouo held his snout with the palm of his hand, checking to make sure dust wasn't seeping out. ``'It's a nice set o' armor but damn, almost broke my damn nose over it.'`` Kuouo stepped back, getting a full view of who he just ran into. His eyes suddenly widen, it's... IT WAS. . . \n\n``Nobody he really knew.`` However, the dude was quite large, making Kuo feel antsy about his already broken leg. The behemoth set in overly-clad armor bent his knee, taking the goat's hand like he was about to propose... Before apologizing and food-zoning the bandit.\n\n```fix\n\"Ehm, yeah? There's a club where I know the owner semi-well 'round here. Once I got paid, I was gonna go over there and stuff my face. Bein' in the Vektet takes a lot outta ya, and I've already been fastin' for nearly three days... Not outta choice, mind ya. If ya want, y'can follow me, butcha gotta pay for yer own shit.```\n\nKuouo scratched the back of his head, moving past the behemoth and looking outwards toward Balfour, seeing the tabaxi make her way out of the perimeter. ``'Guess she wasn't all too interested in gettin' paid... If we do get paid that is.'`` Kuouo slightly scowled at the prospect of getting gypped but shook his head, keeping his hope for luck and common business decency high enough. He limped over to one of the faceless soldiers, tapping the screen of his face-helmet with the tip of his claw.\n\nTap, tap, tap...\n\n```fix\n\"Eyo, can ya like... Call yer boss down 'ere. Wanna tell 'im we made it back.\"```" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "As everyone crowded into the teleportation gate Cumhall prepared for the worst, he would need to exercise much greater caution on the next floor due to his injuries and damaged equipment, hopefully it would be in less squalor and locating the necessary equipment to make repairs wouldn't be so difficult, the inhabitants however would probably be far less welcoming, the watch was a melting pot of people from all the floors, and intruders were certainly nothing new it would seem, anyone who sought to board the ark would come from the bottom. The higher floors however...\nThankfully none of that mattered, as his sight became clouded he expected to light of an enclosed interior space, and the stagnant air of the Vektet, instead he was met with the complete opposite, the \"Bright\" Natural light of the cloudy Balfour and the subtle sound of wind.\n```diff\n- \"Thank chirst, hah- i don't think i've ever been so fuckin' happy to see this shithole\" -\n```\nHis faceplate of his helmet opened slightly, not enough for anyone to get a view of his face but enough to let in some non filtered air as he took a deep breath.\n```diff\n- \"Taste that beatiful fresh and only slightely polluted coventry air\" -\n```\nThe helmet snapped shut again as he grabbed the drone and skirted off to the side of the group.\n```diff\n- \"Alright you get all that data back t'home base, and pick me up a new arm an' some other supplies.\"\n```" }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "As everyone crowded into the teleportation gate, the drone was not so concerned with what was to come but more so with what was in their immediate vicinity; the gate.\nOn the way into the structure it had been taken by surprise and not given a chance to scan the ground gate, but now it took delight in probing deep into the structure's mechanical and magical inner workings and committing it to memory, This It thought Will make them quite pleased It beeped happily and twirled, perhaps it would earn itself a hardware upgrade?\nAnd as they all emerged into the perimeter camp it was taken by surprise, and was mildly disappointed, it had not suffered any damage during their expedition and had no supplies in need of restock, its internal battery could last another 83.5 hours and it was not susceptible to fatigue, it would have preferred a swift and immediate continuation to the next floor.\nHowever as it was given its new orders by Cumhall it did not argue, zipping off into the sky- and would likely not be seen again until they re entered the mega structure." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He returned to the others in time to catch the new arrival and hear Kuouo's proposal.\n```diff\n- \"A club? Pity the state that coventry has become, there was this old family diner I used to frequent but it closed down not long after the disparity. The family are fine though and i do hope they will re-open once some order has returned to the island.\" -\n```\nHe began to dust off and fix his clothing, it had become quite scuffed up during their scuffles. He wouldn't miss the opportunity to recuperate but was keenly aware of how much time that would take, he wouldn't miss the opportunity to explore the second floor before it too had been thrown into disarray like the first, he knew not where what he sought would be contained and so would need to explore each of the floors to be sure.\n```diff\n- \"Here is hoping they dont drag us through too much paperwork and nonsence, how long were we in there? Must have been a few hours atleast.\" -\n```" } ]	269.5	1,176
318.615385	2022-06-19	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "MISSION DAY — 4:25 PM.\nOne week following the first expedition.\nFive minutes before the mercenaries are scheduled to arrive.\n\nThe once-shabby perimeter that encompassed the contact point of the suspended superstructure — the Vektet — now existed as a vastly bolstered iteration of its former self. Where once was temporary tents, where privately-hired construction workers and soldiers alike flowed in-and-out with little-to-no coordination, now existed more permanent, tidy, and organized structures, each specialized towards their particular and chiefly important tasks towards the containment, analysis, and exploration of the Vektet. Temporarily-hired soldiers had lessened in number, and each had been replaced with what was essentially a private and heavily-trained miniature military sustained by Odysseus Corp., each boasting only the latest and greatest armaments available to ground-based infantry. Suspiciously High-quality equipment, and equipment that certainly could not be so readily purchased by a private, enigmatic, and utterly history-less company as Odysseus Corp.\n\n...The whole operation smelled of something shifty, and perhaps something quite illegal. Nonetheless, there Odysseus Corp. Was, at the ready, and exquisitely so. Security was tight as ever, and fortifications about the Ground Gate had only grown in strength and in complexity. Such thoroughness could only lead one to question — Why hire mercenaries?" }, { "author": "Kirch", "message": "`'Cause of twats like you,`\n`I'm having the worst migraine of my entire life.`\n\nKirch side-eyed the two individuals opposite herself, stood in an enclosure near the front-gate of the perimeter about the Vektet While still maintaining a reasonable distance from the superstructure itself. She could hardly curb her urge to frown, her lips tugging subtly downward, as she could only barely force them into a less-than-pleased expression of stifled anger, which she could not afford to openly demonstrate. Raising a brow, the red-haired woman stroked a finger across her chin and then across the scar that ran its length along her eye, her finger and right hand ascending up the front of her face, before finally clasping each of her temples. Withwhat the extreme stress the inconvenience and displeasure she had of hosting these two guests was, it wasn't hard to see why her head was fucking Pounding.\n\n\"Conclusively,\" She spoke, heavily stressing that word as she lowered her right hand. \n\nConclusively. This sentence would end their Prolonged and unwanted stay. She squinted, pausing a beat-and-a-half following the statement, and only continued after it had significant time to settle in.\n\n\"—we are agreeable towards the Fourth's terms, so long as you ensure your. Associates. In the Sixth. Do not cause us. Any. More. *Incidents.\"\n\n`Cunts.`\n\n\"I've been able to restructure the organization and framework of the perimeter crew due to your patron organization's Generous donations.* But, in all truth, we are incapable of signing off on any long-term contract of cooperation with you and your...\"\n\n...She paused, her head slightly tilting over her shoulder, as she peered toward the cracked-open doorway behind herself.\n\n\"...\"\n\"Until we secure a foothold in the Vektet, It's quite impossible for us to actually agree to the terms you've proposed.\"\n\"Does that make sense? Ma'am? Sir?\"" }, { "author": "Gen", "message": "\"You can drop the Ma'am, Mrs. Kirch. Really, just Gen is fine.\"\n\nGen gave an amiable, if artificial, smile, her eyes closed as she nodded toward the associate-representative of Odysseus Corp. Opposite herself. Gen, unlike the woman opposite her, was incredibly familiar with the Art of the Deal, and was not so rash nor so fickle to let her emotions control her outward appearance. She could almost chuckle, slightly, at the subtle anger she saw on display within Kirch's way of speak; such was why she left her with that glancing remark, one which only would prolong their talk, and one which poked at a sore spot in Kirch's character. It extended far beyond just teasing — it was a statement expertly calculated, solely for the purpose of Angering her.\n\nWhy?\n\nIt was funny." }, { "author": "Kirch", "message": "\"It's Ms. Kirch, Thank you. Now. I have business to attend to. If you'd be excused.\"\n*`Piece of shit.`\n\nShe grit her teeth." }, { "author": "Katzu", "message": "```cs\n\n\nThe towering figure of the wolven-monster clad in fine, professional apparel — stood just beside Gen, and also opposite Kirch — stared down at his associate with somewhat judgmental eyes, scorning her purposeful souring of the two's relations. Revered as he was for the finessed conducting of negotiations and communication, he, as a Director, was somewhat disturbed at his own associate's lack of self-control. Shaking his head, ever-so-slightly, he grumbled in silence, and raised his right hand, speaking:\n\n```cs\n ᴅɪꜱᴍɪꜱꜱᴇᴅ. ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜱᴇᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʀ.\"```\n\nSo as he commanded, she departed.\n\n```cs\n ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴏᴜʀ ᴏʀɢᴀɴɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ʙᴇ... ʟᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜᴀɴ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀᴀʙʟᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ᴀꜱꜱᴏᴄɪᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀʏ, ᴄᴏɴꜱɪᴅᴇʀɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀꜰꜰɪʟɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ... ᴘᴇᴄᴜʟɪᴀʀ ᴀʟʟɪᴇꜱ.\"\n\n ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛʏ, ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ. ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴀ ꜱʜᴀᴍᴇ.\"\n\n ʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴀꜱꜱᴜʀᴇᴅ. ɪ, ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ, ꜱᴡᴇᴀʀ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴍᴇʟɪᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴏᴜʀ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛʏ.\"\n\n ᴍʏ ʜᴏɴᴏʀ.\"\n\n ᴛʜᴇɴ. ꜰᴀʀᴇᴡᴇʟʟ.\"```\n_ _\n\nHe spoke honorably, and genuinely so, yet his speech was lacking of the personal warmth which he so delicately disguised it to appear to have. Fondly did he speak of such concepts as interconnectivity, and he did genuinely wish for the two organizations to have smooth, efficient relations, but Efficient* Was all it was. That 'personal tenderness', that 'warmth', was no more than a façade, one made to create the appearance that he actually cared for an Individual, Rather than a greater, mutually-operating conglomerate Whole.\n\nNonetheless, thus concluded the two's strung-out attempts at diplomacy. Between Odysseus Corp., and...\n\nWell, considering what watching eyes were set on him, he was not at liberty to say.\n\nKatzu stepped from the facility, and progressed toward the gate, where Gen waited. The soldiers surrounded the barrier between the perimeter and the outside world, as if on-guard and at-the-ready for... Something. Someone? Or, perhaps a whole group of individuals?" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "MISSION DAY — 4:30 PM.\nThe scheduled time for the mercenaries to arrive." }, { "author": "Kirch", "message": "`Shit. This is awkward.`\n\n...Though she dismissed the two from the office, Kirch would have no choice but to follow shortly behind both Katzu and Gen, not only to see them out of the front gate, but also to Let in the damned mercenaries which they had scheduled for this time-slot. This type of bullshit, Exactly this type of bullshit, Was why she had such a potent migraine. First, an unscheduled visit from that runt called Doberman, secondly, an unscheduled visit from the Fourth, and third, just to top it all off, the two damn meetings overlapped.\n\n\"Ugh.\"\n\nStepping toward the gate, she gave a single hand-motion, shaking her head with a slight frown. She hadn't the energy to even yell out to the surrounding soldiers to open the thing up, and instead simply gave two, lazy motions, before folding her arms and staring at the gate.\n\n*CREAK\n\n...So the gate began to open, revealing to the mercenaries the sight of the new inner facility which surrounded the Vektet." }, { "author": "Katzu", "message": "Katzu, delicate as he was with diplomatic operations, and being seen in public, would simply bow his head — and Gen's, slightly pushing her forward as so to indicate she should do likewise — before pacing briskly beyond the mercenaries, toward a discreetly-parked vehicle some distance from the facility, itself. An odd encounter; one doesn't typically see a monster of such stature every day.\n\nAnd neither did one get to catch a glimpse of the rare item on his and his companion's left wrist — silver bracelets, each with some sort of digital interface installed into them.\nOdd indeed." }, { "author": "Kirch", "message": "Arms folded, eyes squinted, and her right foot tapping against the pavement, Kirch glared at the mercenaries grouped up at the front gate, wordlessly tilting her head, so to Wordlessly invite them into the facility.* Stood at a height of 185cm, the woman would, after a brief glance and confirmation of each of their individual identities, turn her back on them, slowly striding away, in the hopes that she wouldn't even have to speak to them in order for them to follow her.\n\n`...Oh, yeah.`\n`Some of these guys were probably on the first expedition team, huh...?`\n`...Well. Not my problem.`\n`They'll see him when they see him.`" }, { "author": "Johnny Bllaze", "message": "The sound of a motorcycle echoed through the streets as what seems to be a biker came into the perimeter. He saw Kirch and Katzu as he brakes infront of him the biker gets off as he looks at them." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "Although the woman was expecting, The Rook appears a few seconds late it seems — a cascade of white petals descending from the sky. The most, it would be just discarded remains of flower, but to the trained eye, it would be apparent that this flower is that of Ipomoea alba, more commonly known as Moonflower. An elegant entrance for someone Very Unrefined as he.\n\nFrom the whirlwind emerges the hulking form of The Rook, clad in all of his armor and helmet adorned. Although worried under his mask and out of sight from anyone nearby, he closes his eyes and takes a long breath as he recalls the events of the last week and how much of a frenzy everything was with Tabby the tabaxi out of commission So beat up and laced with magicka from the inside of this place that she had to be temporarily removed from the headquarters and quarantined.\n\nHence why... He was sent, of course.\n\nThe Rook stumbles forward, catching his balance after 2 steps — with the amount of weight behind him, it's absurd that he even managed that much — Gosh, I do not like that kind of travel... He burps aloud, a small, quiet one, but still audible. It makes me feel sick...\n\nHe shakes off the momentary stomach bug as the moonflower petals simply... Dissipate behind him. Watching through his bulky helmet, he sees... Some kind of metal dog screech to a halt as the rider dismounts, stepping back in an odd sense of sheer \"What-the-fuck-is-that???\" Of course, The Rook would never swear. Never.\n\nSo, instead he waves a still taken-aback hello, looking back to Kirch as she... Where is she going? The Rook, in his infinite wisdom, decides to quickly follow behind, moving deceptively quick to catch up. And surely, he asks the question on everyone's mind when he asks.\"Where are we going?\" To the guide lady." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "``'Well it's about fuckin' time.'``\n\nBeing denied entry into the Vetket one week prior certainly soured Kuouo Aiche Dee's plans to continue exploring the expansive superstructure — And for what? To fancy up their perimeter headquarters? They could've done this on their own time — And in all honesty, he felt as if he could've snuck past the armed denizens that guarded the superstructure to Some Degree... Then again, it probably wouldn't have been too smart; one slip up, and he'd have more holes in him than swiss cheese.\n\n``'Not to mention, the paychecks are pretty nice...'``\n\nStill, it brought the bandit to an internalized question, ``'Who the hell are these guys? Where the fuck do they get the money to get all this shit anyways?'`` ... Not that it really mattered, but it was still odd. The perimeter was surely integrating itself into Balfour's coventry for it was no longer just a temporary set-up to quickly explore the Vektet — There were now sturdy buildings in place of the tents that stood there one week ago, and the militia guarding the perimeter looked far more competent. \n\nOddyseus Corp. Had plans for the Vektet, and it couldn't solely be for exploration. Not with the amount of money being poured into it. \n\nBeep! Beep! Beep!\n\nBut that wasn't for the bandit to continue mulling over, for the goat's long awaited 4:30 alarm finally screamed at him that it was time after a long, long week. Plenty of time for the denizens of the Vektet to react to the news of their doings on the first floor. A change that the bandit knew held a beyond enormous significance to the ark. He took a deep breath... And broke into a confident smile, turning the wall he was lounging back on for the past two and a half hours and approaching the gate, where two individuals, a human and — Oh, hey! — a monster are seen hastily taking their leave from the perimeter.\n\n```fix\n\"Heeyyyy — Oh, shit, well see ya fuckin' later I guess.\"```\n\nThe bandit raised an eyebrow before shrugging, not taking notice to the futuristic bracelets hugging their wrists. It would've certainly interested the bandit, had he gotten the chance to see them. Regardless, he looked to his left, where the beheamoth in Tabby's place had Just Arrived. Funny, for it seemed that he too suffered from the same teleportation sickness the bandit has. He snickered a bit before looking to his right. Certainly a stanger he hadn't seen before, looking like the most American man in a Japanese video game if he had ever seen one. Though, his motorcycle most definitely caught the bandit's eye. The handlebars, the chain-like chasis, the ear-bleeding revving of its engine almost made the bandit envious. Almost.\n\nFinally, in front of him standing in identical height was a woman with strawberry red dangling down to her shoulders. Having stood behind the gate before it opened, the bandit knew she most likely wasn't going to accompany them to the Vektet. Hell, if her body anything, it didn't feel like she wanted to be here Period. Wordlessly, she turned her back, expecting the group that had accumulated so far to follow in her footsteps — The Rook, of course, was hopelessly clueless to where she was leading them.\n\n```fix\n\"Ya remember that tent ye so carelessly stood in front of last time? We're goin' there t' enter the Vektet. Ya know, so y'can continue Tabby's job of, well... Whatever the fuck she was doin' when she was there.\"```\n\nKuouo shrugged, following Kirch and swiveling around, walking backwards to continue talking to the enormous knight as he shoved his paws into his pockets.\n\n```fix\n\"... Erm, speakin' of. Did she ever happen t' like... Tell ya what she was doin' there? All I know is that whatever the hell she did pissed the hell out of Vaazva — Wait you dunno who that is. Well anyways, she musta done somethin' real bad to piss 'im off that bad.\"```" }, { "author": "Johnny Bllaze", "message": "\"Are you guys the mercenaries?\"\n\nHe got off and looked at them, eyeing them. He didn't seem like a mercenary. Yet, there was an ominous aura coming off him, like there was more to him than meets the eye." } ]	183	4,142
456.071429	2022-06-20	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "[:: SACHIKO ::] ", "message": "Among the structure, full of people from many different places, arrived a short, stocky feline-esque humanoid with dark, freckled skin and curly, dark blue hair. Despite their youthful appearance, they seemed to be of a time older than this. They also looked strangely relaxed, if not bored, but also tired. Why, I guess that's what traveling completely on foot does to one, I guess. But hey, they seemed like they could go on for miles.\n\nAs they arrived towards they structure, not a word was said from them. They continued to stand idly by, holding their naginata tightly as they looked among the crowd. Not a soul to be recognized. Expected, but saddening it was for them.\n\nThe traveling hunter felt the need to start up a conversation. It felt polite, but felt a bit uneeded, and possibly impolite to some. Perhaps they could ask a simple question later (or now, whatever works) but they felt nervous. Hell, the thought of even LOOKING at someone overwhelmed them. So yeah, they're laying low for now. But their need to speak still remained from within..." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "As the bandit continued walking backwards, he noticed two more people approach the group - A man with snow-white hair akin to Jack Frost. For some reason, the goat felt like he Shouuullld Know who this is, but he digressed, moving onto the feline-like smell that permated the air. He raised his eyebrow, thinking for a moment that it might be the return of Tabby but is instead met with the sight of a... ``'Aagghhh, what do they call it? Izzat a fuckinnnnn'.............. NEKOMIMI???'`` ... Truly an anime rotted mind - Which, could also appreciate the naginata weapon held tightly along their side. Compared to Astral though, they didn't seem all too outgoing.\n\n```fix\n\"Yeah, I guess y'could say we're mercenaries — Really, it's just whoever this company sees as useful to explore this thing. I'm a bandit myself - Kuouo Aiche Dee, y'mighta heard of me. Anyways, pretttty sure there's gonna be more of us soon, but y'should prepare yerself. We've already been to the first floor once and as soon as we got there, we got fuckin' ambushed by some knights that we unfortunately had t' kill... With what we did, I'm almost certain there's gonna be somethin' goin' down as soon as we make the transport to the second.\"```\n\nThe bandit warned, making sure there wasn't going to be another incident where someone was killed immediately on landing. He didn't pay too much attention to the bike-riding man's ominous nature, for in a world like this he'd met plenty of others with a stoic, mysterious aura that hid their true selves. Regardless, he'd have to explain what exactly they did during their exploration of the first floor to truely contextualize the danger they could be in during arrival.\n\n```fix\n\"It's kind of a lot t' explain what exactly we did - But in short, the Vektet izza whole 'nother world built with these 'floors' that are essentially, different large-scale kinda areas. The First Floor is kind of a forested world, with the Exiles Watch being a shoddy village. It was a place where those who committed great sins within the Vektet were 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙. Those who committed the worst were branded with a root that dug into their fuckin' brains. More or less, I sorta kinda met up with a doctor and made him meet up with an alchemist to cure those branded by the 𝓥𝓮𝓲𝓻𝓸𝓴 root — And our first test subject was a biiiiiig fuckin' dude guarding the way to the second floor. And this root man, lemme tell ya... It's a horrible fuckin' thing - It literally robs ya of yer mind and grows all around you. A special hell, for the ageless people in the Vektet.\"```\n\nKuouo took a deep breath, pondering on what to say next.\n\n```fix\n\"... Well anyways, I cure this guy and he turns out to be someone who was thought to be killed a long time ago — A really important guy who turned out to be while people were exiled and branded in the first place. He was extremely powerful while hindered by the root - I couldn't have imagined fightin' him in his AWAKENED state. His name was Aazkue, the Solar Guardian of the First Floor. He was branded by the root after discoverin' its creation by this Superstructure's Lord — The one they call the 𝑻𝒂𝒂𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝑬𝒛𝒆𝒓 — and losing a duel to him. Ever since then, people blamed Aazkue for the punishment's existence - But like I said earlier, he was thought t' be long thought dead.\"```\n\nHe re-read everything that transpired next in his mind, the fetching of the doctor, whom Aazkue requested to speak to after Centuries Of non-lucidity, the sudden appearence of Aatkei, Kovrot, and 𝓥eitvaazva after said fetching. The 𝑔𝑜𝓁𝒹𝑒𝓃 𝑔𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓂 Of the masked stranger's eyes as he whispered the deaths of the previously mentioned knights befelled by the outsiders. He didn't know why they all showed up, or why the things that things transpired led to the outcome we have now. It just. Happened...\n\n```fix\n\"I can't really explain the rest, it was all sort of a perfect storm - Almost as if it were planned... But after Aazkue learned about those knights dying, he... He had a powerful, emotionally-driven magical response. I... Well, I think he knew what had to be done for the exiles after a couple of them suddenly showed up outta nowhere. He turned into a fuckin' star. You could jus' feel it resonating within' ya... A star, in a previously sunless sky that broke a bond — a magic one at that — that kept the exiles stuck suffering on the first floor's shitty lifestyle. With that, the entryway t' the second floor was opened - Which is where we're headed now.\"```" }, { "author": "Johnny Bllaze", "message": "\"Looks you need a certain someone's expertise. If you got a weak stomach, now might be the time to look away. Alright, here we go.\"\n\nHe gritted his teeth and strained himself, first looking like an idiot. Then, his skin began turning red, steaming coming from his eye balls as he started screaming and grunting in pain. Then, the skin on his head started to peel off, slowly burning away from his skull. Once all his skin and flesh was burnt off, his skull caught aflame. This new person stared down the group with his soulless skeletal eyes." }, { "author": "Ghost Rider", "message": "\"So, you're the mercanaries here exploring the next floor.\"" }, { "author": "[:: SACHIKO ::] ", "message": "The hunter hears your words and. What is a nekomimi, they wonder?\n\nJust a few moments later, they turn to hear the fellow speak his words, this story, everything happening. How interesting it all was, yet all so confusing.\n\nBut as they finish, strangely enough, yet another thing happens.\n\nTurning to yet another sound, they're brought to...\n\nUh. Erm.\n\nThe hunter blinked in response to that... Transformation. Here's the thing: they've seen many things in their life. But that... That was... Something.\n\nBut... Yes! The question at hand! The hunter finally found the courage and gut to speak up and respond.\n\n\" I, uh... Guess you could say that! But, I must ask, where exactly are we? \"\nThe hunter speaks up from afar, soon unable to help but ask their long lingering question." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "The poor Rook still attempts to wean out an answer, \"Where are we- oh\"\n\nOh hey, it is the thief! The Rook turns his head to his side and waves down at the talking dog, listening intently to his questions despite the use of big words like \"Carelessly\", and \"Vaazva\", quickly getting lost in what was being asked before the bandit clarifies that Vaazva is a Person. As such, he finds the ability to respond within him, unsure as to if actually divulging this information would get him in trouble later or not. \"I was told that the dog—no, cat—\" He corrects \"Was core-anti'd when I went back home. I was told that The Leader was scared of some six-legged dog or something waking up and she needed to be looked at.\" He says, hoping to be helpful in any way possible, despite his lackluster description.\n\n\"The Cat\" He says, emphasizing the word carefully so as to show he has grown from his past mistakes already, \" Was here to learn more about this Ark and why things are suddenly appearing from other places.\" He shrugs, \"I do not know the details. Also, I heard that the cat saw an Order member, and I am told to not be nice to Order members.\" He sighs. \"But I do not know what he looks like.\"\n\nWell, that's partially a lie. He Was Told, but he simply couldn't visualize anything about Gaige, and promptly forgot anything-and-everything that was said as it was information that got lost on him.\n\n\"I am not a mercenary.\" He replies simply, uttering perhaps the biggest word he has ever said in his life; certainly one that would be a shocker to somebody that had sat and talked with him before. \"I am The Rook.\" Upon uttering his own name, he seems to straighten up a bit and stop slouching — was he really slouching to begin with? — and gives a tiny salute as the group keeps walking, a gesture that had been trained into his very being.\n\n\"I guess y'could say we're mercenaries\" The dog says, causing The Rook to wait patiently and politely for the dog to stop before correcting himself. \"Yes I am a mercenary.\"\n\nThen the goat starts dropping valuable information bombs about Knights. Those damn Knights and their big, flying dogs. If The Rook were a lesser man, he would probably say something unsavory mentally, yet he is above that.\n\n\"Touch-it easer.\" He mumbles under his breath, struggling to retain some of the mountain that was just dropped upon him and everyone else.\n\nOh, a star... He perks up. That's something he could understand... He'd need to tell the lady back at camp about this when he returns victorious! She likes stars!\n\nUpon the transformation of the Ghost Rider, The Rook swiftly looks away. How did he just become into a flaming dog??" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "Out front of the compound's gate was a sleek black 1952 Bentley R Type, inside lay Cumhall, feet on the dash and phone in hand watching the latest episode of Kenobi On Disney+, a ping alerted him that it was time but he decided to let the episode finish first. He picked up the helmet from the passenger side, which was on the left as the car had been manufactured in Britain, slipping it on and letting it seal with a satisfying hiss.\nThe week between the expeditions had been gruelling, waiting patiently wasn't something that Cumhall was very fond of and sitting in the desolate abandoned streets of his former home spying on the perimeter wasn't the most interesting of assignments. \nHe stepped out of the Vehicle and approached the forming crowd of mercs.\n```diff\n- \"Nice to see a familiar face\" -\n```\nHe smiled behind the blackened steel of the helmet as he passed Kuo once again putting forth a friendly exterior, but looking the new faces up and down, he doubted they would be much help We handled ourselves.. Well enough last time He thought, and this time he had come more prepared.\nHis appearance was much the same, a mix of formal dress and black armour of alloyed metal, ceramic and Kevlar, and a much bulkier cybernetic right arm than before, that made his appearance more lopsided.\nThis time he wore some sort of pack on his back, made of the same alloyed metal as his arm and armour, its purpose unknown, and he had an additional two guns strapped to his thighs, just like the rifle on his back they were a strange halfway point between a conventional firearm and a sci fi laser gun.\nHe cracked his knuckles absent mindedly as he strolled into the perimeter camp nonchalantly, not so much as waiting to be invited, after all he had been spying on it all week, he knew exactly where to go." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "Once again Cumhall was joined by a small round recon drone about the size of a head that hovered on a single thruster, it beeped impatiently as Cumhall took his sweet time getting ready and exiting the car whirring around him, it followed into the perimeter but seemed far less interested than before, every inch of the camp had already been scanned and spied on by the drone, it did however take interest in the mercenaries, probing them from afar with censors and energy readers, it beeped in.. Some unknown emotion, Landing on Cumhall's back and settling down." }, { "author": "Kirch", "message": "\"Please.\"\n\nKirch grumbled silently to herself as she continued through the perimeter with long, slow strides, almost slightly sluggish, if not forcefully pushed forth by her own insistence and hard-worked personality. The whirling combination of her desire to simply get this job done and her desire to get these mercenaries off of her back coalesced, granting her an unhindered determination that would push her beyond even the most damning-of-all-migraines she had ever experienced in her entire life. The faster she got this done with, the faster she could go pop an aspirin. For that alone, she would ensure that the entire ordeal went as smoothly and as swiftly as possible... But by Saint fucking Mary, she wasn't going to be taking Shit. \n\n\"Politely refrain from getting your. Flowers. Scattered across the facility.\"\n\nShe peered over her shoulder, her eyes in a slight squint as she panned the Rook, Dejecting his use of such an extravagant means of entry. Further, she would most-entirely ignore his question, her gaze instead returning front-and-center, toward the looming silhouette of the Vektet That dominated the close horizon. He should've known where they were going, already. \n\nOn the topic of the flowers... God, did she have a pollen allergy? The Scent Of the things were burning her eyes.\n\n\n—\n\n\n_ _\n\nBeyond Rook, she'd have little response to the rest of the mercenaries' collective introductions, sparing only a single glance toward the likes of Kuouo, Johnny, Abstral, Cumhall, and... Mmm, who was that?\n\nThe red-haired woman did a second-take on the one known as Sachiko. Per the reports, there was an individual on the last expedition of the Vektet — one who had successfully returned from the First Floor — known as 'Tabby', reported to have feline traits. The strange, silent, naginata-wielding individual fit the broad part of the bill, but they seemed to be lacking of the... What was it, Seven-foot-tall android To accompany?\n\n`...Weird. Honestly, I don't know if half of these people were even the ones we hired.`\n\nWith a slight sigh, the woman clasped the bridge of her nose, tilting her head toward the ground and closing her eyes as she continued to wordlessly step forward. There was, truly, no need to make things overcomplicated, here. The likes of their last guide was most critical, down to every last little detail, and was reported even to start an incident with an outsider. Her, however...? \n\n`But, honestly. I don't care.`\n\nWithwhat the white-haired man's most novella introduction was, withwhat the goatlike mercenary's advanced elaboration on topics he wasn't even supposed to be speaking about, per his contract was, withwhat the rich-as-fuck philanthropist drone-slinger nonchalantly barging on in was, withwhat the armored man's flowery-windswept introduction was, and withwhat the now-fucking-on-fire-skeleton-guy even Was, the only one of this laborious hodgepodge of mercenaries that Kirch could even vaguely appreciate was the One who held their damn tongue.\n\n\n\n—\n\n\n_ _\n\nFinally, after they all (hopefully) followed Kirch for a brief period through the advanced facility at the perimeter of the Vektet, She would, finally, make a stop just ahead, but some distance from, the enormous ground-gate of the Vektet. Just a few steps to her right was a plastic table — familiar to the likes of Kuouo and Cumhall — and one which held several documents atop it.\n\n\"Two of you already signed off, and already know what the whole... Ordeal, is,\" She spoke, picking up several of the documents, tapping them twice with the back of her hand.\n\n\"Hhh. Let's make this really simple, okay? Just sign these Ddda—... Documents for me. In exchange, you get a Really cool Satchel full of Super convenient Technology. And a Translator. All there is to it.\"\n_ _\n\nKirch briskly strode toward those of the group who were new to the Vektet — namely, Sachiko, Johnny, Abstral, and the Rook, Curtly pushing the sheets of paper into each of their chests alongside a pen. Her demeanor seemed to suggest that she didn't even want to bother to wait for them to read the things, as she folded her arms, staring intently at each of them as she awaited for them to sign off. Of course, those who were more attentive, and actually read the documents, would note that the contract they were about to sign was one of Nondisclosure of the events that occured within the Vektet, And one that Forfeited ownership of any objects that they might acquire within its midst. \n\nA standard protocol, to be sure, but one that they might find unfavorable — not that it mattered, of course. If they didn't sign, they weren't getting in. Simple as that.\n\nOnce they (hopefully) all signed off, Kirch would give a slight nod, turning back toward the table at her side. From beneath it, she withdrew six of the satchel-like devices — V.A.R.E.Ts, three in each hand — before approaching again the four, placing each of the devices against their chest in like manner to how she 'handed' them the papers. Out of courtesy (and also out of a desire to not have to explain to them what the hell they even did), she flicked the devices on.\n\nFinally, the woman reached into her jacket pocket, withdrawing a small, spring-loaded container, which she flicked open with a press of a switch. Within the container, sized so to fit comfortably within one's pocket, was an array of contact lenses and earpieces — about a half-dozen in number, arrayed comfortably within the padded interior of the container. Kirch stared down at each of the devices, extending the open container toward the mercenaries.\n\n\"One each. Translator. Put the contact in your left eye, and the earpiece in your left ear. Should be easy enough.\"\n\n_ _\nWith introductions and preparations out of the way, Kirch was most certainly ready to move on to Actually getting the mercenaries Into the superstructure. Right. The faster they got this over with, the faster she could relieve the pounding sensation in her head.\n\n\"According to protocol, you'll need a... Guide, In the Vektet. I was assigned to be the fill-in, but—\"\n\nIn the distance, Kirch spots someone fast in approach, and breathes a sigh of relief.\n\n\"...Fortunately, the dedicated guide was able to be recommissioned for the second expedition.\"\n`Thank God.`\n\"I'll let him take over from here.\"\n\nKirch nodded, briefly gave a half-hearted thumbs-up, before dissipating in a subtle *`SWOOSH.`* A metahuman was she, and one capable of teleportation; she wasn't so eager to show off her abilities as she was to just Get the fuck out of here." }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "```cs\n\n\nA familiar voice. A familiar face. And a familiar appearance, yet clad in unfamiliar garb. The young man known as Alois, the one which both Kuouo and Cumhall had seen to Perish outright On the First Floor, emerged into the open space within the perimeter, donning a most embellished garb with accentuated trims — akin to an old, Victorian style in nature — an uncharacteristic, genuine smile on his face as he stepped into the open, evening sun for the first time following Quite The wait.\n\nTo the new faces — Johnny, Rook, Abstral, and Sachiko — the polite, well-dressed young man gave a wave, stood in a fine, upright stance at a humble height of 153cm. Allowing his pale — unnaturally pale, and as pale as the rest of his visible skin, all as if it had been thoroughly powdered — right hand of red-painted nails to linger at his side, Alois flourished the cascading, embroidered lace of his garb with his left, and leaned his body in a forward bow, greeting the the two whom he was familiar with. Kuouo and Cumhall he distinctly recalled from their meeting no more than a week ago; he was keen in memory, for it was his special suit. Not a single detail would escape from his mind, for such a fault would antithesize his very existence.\n\n```cs\n my unrepresentative lateness. I was only just beginning to tidy myself when I was informed that you were to arrive.\"\n\n Well, it seems that Kirch has made you familiar with the technologies you are to use in the midst of the Vektet. Then, with that out of the way...\"\n\n Some of you are familiar, I am Alois — a representative of Odysseus Corporation, and your guide in the Vektet. It's a pleasure to meet you all!\"```\n_ _\n\nFormalities were intrinsic in Alois' nature, and he had acted once in a similar fashion when he first met Kuouo and Cumhall. This time around, however, he seemed a smidge more enthusiastic. And, further, he did not seem to dismiss the pleasure of his greeting within a single instant, instead allowing his courteous and generally happy mannerisms to persist beyond a single statement. He was, in this iteration, more Human. Still, he retained his natural elegance and uprightness in both the way he held himself and in the way that he spoke, his words flowing smoothly, and accompanied by a properly polite bow, no less.\n\nIt could've been called comforting, had they not seen him Perish Once before.\n_ _\n\n```cs\n Hmm...\"\n Suppose I should apologise. You must be quite confused.\"\n\n Name is Alois. I am an advanced artificial intelligent lifeform currently in service under Odysseus Corporation.\"\n Such, I possess equal capacity to independently and intelligently think, as does any human. However, unlike humans, I am capable of being recreated upon my untimely expiry. My nature as an artificial lifeform allows me to link my memories to previous iterations of myself, given that the iteration's vessel is recovered.\"\n\n Other words, I am not the same Alois you know, but I possess identical thought patterns and memories as him.\"\n Am deeply sorry for any emotional worries you may have experienced when witnessing me perish on the First Floor. Rest assured, I will not allow myself such a careless mistake twice.\"\n\n That said, I suppose it's right for me to say this again — it's a pleasure to meet you two.\"```\n\nAlois gave a slight grin, following his slightly perturbing elucidation on his semi-immortal nature, and his disclosure of the fact that he was, essentially, a Clone Of his former self. Still, as plain, straightforward, and pleasantly as he made it known, even such a weighty statement could be smoothly progressed past, especially when one with Alois' proficiency was leading the conversation.\n\n```cs\n I shan't let this momentum go to waste.\"\n Should be on our way into the Vektet. Please, if you have any questions, voice them now. If not, we will make entry immediately.\"```" }, { "author": "Ghost Rider", "message": "Rider just stared with his soulless eyes, looking into Alois's soul to get a feel who this person is. He doesn't talk much which makes his hellish look all the more intimidating." }, { "author": "Abstral", "message": "Abstral followed the group led by the red-haired woman, stopping his stride forward when the woman spoke and handed him a few papers and a pen, quite roughly, he noted. (\"Heh, sure don't want to get on Her Bad side.\", he thought to himself.) He glanced at the papers and the information on them, Taking notice of the NDA part and the giving up of any objects find within part, he grumbled at the latter, he was hoping to also explore this structure and take some objects from within to study for himself, but ah, help others first, yourself last, that's what he was here for, after all.\n\n\n\nAs the device turned on, Abstral was about to see what more it had to offer before the woman speaking again drew his attention away.\n\n\n\nAs he did so, wincing a bit as he put the contact in, the woman had introduced some other person to them. The newcomer, their guide apparently, seemed to be dressed... Oddly... Yet who was he to criticize?\n\n```\"Greetings\", he said simply in reply to the wave from the man.```\n\nAs the man began to spoke, Abstral took in his words, the \"Confusion\" Of his death and everything that came with it not a factor to him, obviously. He vaguely took in the man... Or the AI's... Other words.\n\nAbstral didn't have questions, well not any that would be all that relevant to the matter at hand, that is, so he elected to stay silent as he waited for whatever came next." }, { "author": "[:: SACHIKO ::] ", "message": "Sachiko was taken aback by the sudden appearance of papers being pushed towards them, but they were quick to recieve them. My, that lady is... Quite the fellow, they thought.\n\nThey... Didn't exactly know what half of the papers even said and meant here, english was not really their first language. It's one thing to speak it, she's gotten better at that, but the reading part was not too easy. But that's that, I guess, for they signed it off anyhow. \n\nAfter signing them off, they recieve yet another item, a satchel. It seemed useful enough to them, despite not knowing what certain things were. They weren't even paying much attention to this introduction at hand, for they were too busy trying to understand what the hell was going on at this point in time.\n\nAnd alas, another introduction to another thing, but this time, they understood the purpose for once! I guess. A translator... That would be very much useful!\n\nAs they finished applying the translator (although confused as to why exactly they had to be used in such a way), they notice yet another voice, another fellow. He seemed much nicer than that other lady over there. Despite their struggle to pay much attention to even more commentary, they felt it would be polite to greet this fine fellow.\n\n\" Hello! \"\nSachiko greeted as politely as they could sound at the moment." }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "The flower petals dissipate into blue glowing light, growing swiftly full until there was absolutely nothing left to suggest they were ever even there. The Rook simply shrugs, as.. Well, he doesn't control the wind, how they descend, or how they disappear. \n\nThe Rook happily follows the woman with no questions asked; even though the one he posed was left un-answered by her. Maybe she didn't hear me. He thinks, rather optimistically, posing the same question Again. \"Where are we going?\"\n\nAs they reach the table, the lady turns around and starts using really boring words that no one could ever hope to understand, before handing him a piece of paper and pen. Unlike his previous failures at paying attention, he Does Actually take the time to read it. Or, Maybe, he's Pretending To read it. Who knows? Not him, that's for sure. And on that lovely line presented for signatures, he does actually write his name, although...\n\n_ _ \nHe raises his hand upon receiving the super cool Techno-loggy, \"How do I put the contact in without removing my helmet?\" He asks sincerely. \"I do not like taking off my helmet. How do I put a contact in my eye?\" How do I put any of this on without taking my helmet off in front of all of these peop-where did she go? And with just as much whiplash as one could receive mentally, a new guide has appeared!\n\nAlthough still very much confused about how to take his helmet off without anyone seeing him, he attempts a bow back — or, rather, he goes for it before simply resolving into a salute instead as per his nature. He decides to spring the same question onto the noticeably more helpful man. \n\n\"Is there a place where I can put the deck-naw-lodgey on with no one looking? I do not like to be seen without my helmet on...\" He asks, a bit lost in how exactly to do this. He Could Turn away, but... That would not be sufficient enough, as someone could just swiftly move in front.." } ]	306.5	6,385
627	2022-06-21	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "kuouo", "message": " \nA burning regret that had eased itself in the back of Kuo's mind throughout the week violently brings itself forth come the explanation of Alois' technological immortality. Though it was moreso in self-defense, the ruthless 'killing' of the AI fueled the bandit's own counter-fatal motives towards those knights. He raised his smoldering paw, moving to grab the non-chalant robot before biting his lip down harshly in a moment of self-control.... After all, if the knights didn't all die, then Aazkue wouldn't've...\n\nKuouo walked forward, visibly frustrated with embers trailing every step he took.\n\n```fix\n\"Let's get going.\"```\n\nHe sternly demanded, moving closer towards the Ground Gate before violently turning around with his digit fiercely pointed at Alois.\n\n```fix\n\"And you, don't ya fucking dare get caught off guard again.\"```" }, { "author": "Alois", "message": "Alois stood upright, firm, and proper in stance, even his very way of balancing while standing refined to a tee. With an ever-persistent smile, the nonhuman guide of artificial origins stared with his pearl-and-ruby eyes, glossed, and seen now with the clarity of his revealed true nature, would be seen to have a most extrinsic gaze; despite their demonstration of intelligence and subtle emotion, they each lacked the familiarity of human life, giving quite reasonable explanation for the unease one experienced when staring him straight in the eyes. Similarly, blood did not flow through his veins, and neither did it rosy his false flesh — such was the reason for his use of powder, that he might establish some sort of outer layer for his lustered, wooden skin.\n\nIndeed, Alois was more akin to a puppet than he was an android or a human, a fact supported by his utter lack of interior biological or mechanical mechanisms. He was hollow, through-and-through, constructed of no more than wood and whatwith decorative materials construed his fake eyes and fake teeth. It was no surprise why such a strange entity would perish so easily, falling dead after so much as a single attack pierced through his body. How terribly inefficient, One might be provoked to believe. A guide for a hostile environment who could not so much as fend for himself? One could hardly call him a guide, at all.\n\nBut Alois was never developed to last in the first place.\nIt was expected of him to die.\n\nThe grin that pulled the puppet's lips taut faded, slowly, as he rested and folded his hands clutched close to his lower abdomen. While clearly still at-attention to the group's questions and concerns, he still spared a portion of his focus for himself, peering down with his rubied eyes to stare at the subtle layer of dyed polish that glazed each of his false fingernails, giving as close to a reminiscent exhale as he could muster with his hollowed chest's complete lack of lungs. \n_ _\n\nThen, as they concluded the last of their greetings, questions, and statements, Alois would lift his eyes again to meet the gazes of each of the mercenaries. He, again, swiftly grounded himself in reality, and so his smile of genuineness departed, soon replaced with an expression born of his familiar, former, and distant nature — a smile put on only for the sake of courtesy. \n\n ```cs\n a pleasure.\"```\n\nAlois smiled, granting the subtlest of curtsies to the two who returned his greeting — Abstral and Sachiko — his grin still temporarily present on his face. He rose from the subtle gesture of courtesy, rested his left hand at his side, raised his right to lay atop his breast, shifted his gaze from the two, and then allowed his grin to depart, detaching from the brief interaction as though it never happened.\n\nHis eyes could only linger on Kuouo's figure for so long, after he made such a statement as that. Though Alois was prone to responding to every statement sent his way — for such was what he was designed to do — the Incommodious Statement would be denied any acknowledgment beyond a simple, slightly displeased glare.\n\n```cs\n 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯.\"```\n\nThe guide responded simply to Rook, before swiftly and confidently walking forward, toward the Vektet's Sealed entry, his strides each reflecting a sort of practiced panache that truly tied together the elegant, if not a little antiquated, outfit and appeal of his appearance. A concerning aloofness had surfaced within the moment, as though it were provoked from within him, and so he would give no answer further than such.\n\n\n—\n\n\n_ _\n\nLeading the group to be stood just at the base of the tremendous superstructure, the sealed gate stood tall before them, and, with a mere motioning of Alois' hand, Began to open. The whirr and rumble of machinery sparking to life reverberated through the paved ground beneath the group, a most imposing, and slightly chilling presence blasting forth from the now-opened Ground Gate of the Vektet. Their adventure, their expedition, and the great discoveries to follow, was about to manifest before them.\n\n\n_ _\n\n```cs\n in she did not make it clear to you...\"\n\n Translator that Ms. Kirch had each of you place in is known as the R.A.S.W.L.T System, simplified as the 'Raswalt System'. It is a database and real-time translator for the spoken and written language within the Vektet, and will service both you and Odysseus Corporation as you unearth the unique cultures within the superstructure.\"\n\n The satchel each of you were granted — known as the V.A.R.E.T, a Vektet-class Anomalistic Realm Exploration Tether — will facilitate your smooth entry into the Second Floor. Please assure that each of the devices are active, as we begin the transportation process.```\n\nOf course, Kirch had already tended to such matters. Each V.A.R.E.T was active, the small interface on their side blinking with a synchronized blue light.\n\nNow, once Alois had confirmed everything was well in-order, he took a step further, and entered the darkness of the Ground Gate, With the mercenaries surely to follow. Once all of them had stepped forward, into the blackness of the cavity at the base of the superstructure, they would note that they Found themselves stood atop a large, circular slab of stone, engraved with faintly-blue-glowing runic carvings, Which soon Sparked into an effulgent glow, overtaking each of their bodies and intertwining them with an arcane nature.\n\nThe teleportation process was soon to begin, their V.A.R.E.Ts beeping in synchronization, as they were whisked away, to a place `entirely foreign...`" }, { "author": "ROOK", "message": "The Rook stops and stares at the goat, admittedly really really confused by this information. \n\n\"So his name is Gaige?\" He asks, nodding his head curtly in understanding, before continuing on. \"Yes. I do not know what he looks like. I heard that he is strong. That is all I was told.\" He nods, double-triple confirming his own thought process, before shaking his head at what followed. \"No. I am told he is a bad person and that he must be brought to justice. I do not know why. What is Sith?\"\n\nWaiting for the rest of the group to move forward & away from the table, The Rook listens to their helpful guide Alois say that he would just have to find a place to do it.\n\nSo, like any sane person would, The Rook sits down on the floor, sticks his head under the table, swiftly removes his helmet and places both pieces of technology in the correct spot, and quickly slides his helmet back on – almost un-reactable in a way. It seems he Really Does not want someone to look at his head from Any Direction.\n\nUuuunfortunately, as The Rook stands back up, he bonks his head on the table, yet... His face magically phases through, causing a purple glowing spot to emanate from the bottom where the contact was made, yet, unlike the glass at the Lifeline, nothing seems to come of it. It just stays there, glowing as The Rook rubs the outside of his helmet. \"Ow.\"\n\nR.A.S.W.L.T... V.A.R.E.T... All words that The Rook tries to understand, yet simply discards immediately as The group is whisked to the Second Floor, and The Rook is locked in." } ]	369	1,881
426	2022-06-30	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "The entire encounter was.. Disorienting, to put it nicely, and moreso very scary to put it not nicely. Scary to see a weird woman with odd powers just toy with him and appear and disappear like a ghost under the black sky, even moreso scary to learn that he was late!\n\nShe didn't specify the amount of time as to how late he was, but he was shocked to learn that his time management was in fact terrible. Nevertheless, he didn't have a moment to think about it, as this odd ghost just transported him inwards right in front of the tower.\nHe seemed unphased by her power being used on him, other than the fact that his eyes went blurry for a moment. Almost used to it. The Weaver simply turned backwards towards her to specify what he was here for.\n\n\"..You see, miss, I can't do a lot other than come to the aid of others, but that i'm very good at!..\"\n\nIt felt nerve-racking to speak back, especially with the display of what she could do, and also the fact that there is a giant tower right in front of him. The moment felt exhausting, the air being heavier to breathe in. He felt shy to even take a step forwards in fear of breaking some rule..\n\n..And his comfort walking stick is gone. Must've dropped it when she first appeared, but that doesn't help his current mental state.\n\n\"B-But, just how late.. Am I exactly?..\"\n\nSurely whoever else that's been summoned must be barely entering the tower by now, and all he had to do was just catch up a little bit!" }, { "author": "Kirch", "message": "\"Sure.\"\n\nKirch gave an off-hand, inattentive comment in response to the Weaver's subtle declaration. He was good at helping other people, He said. The late mercenary likely had the intent to help the others who had already gone in ahead of him. `Maybe,` She thought. `But you'll be much more useful helping us.`\n\nIn the moment that the two manifested from the sudden shift in environment caused by Kirch's employment of teleportation, the imposing, red-haired woman had already shifted her direct attention away from the mercenary, and down toward a tablet which flickered through a series of data-rich screens. Slowly taking several paces away from the mercenary, Kirch gave a subtle murmur as she peered down at the information on the device.\n\n\"You're late because you didn't show up on time. Is that too hard for you to understand?\"\n\nShe raised a brow, and gave a sarcastically-questioning grin.\n\n\"It's your lucky day, either way.\"\n\"The autonomous unit...\" Kirch spoke, sliding her finger across the digital display of the tablet.\n\"Well. It's. Dead, and in record time. Amazing.\"\n_ _\n\nLowering the tablet, she cradled it against her lower abdomen with her left forearm, before pivoting in a single step, turning to face the Weaver again. With a briskness in her gait, she retrieved some papers and a pen from atop a plastic table set just alongside the two, offering them to the mercenary before her. \n\n\"Congratulations. You still get to make some money.\"\n\nThe papers which she offered him listed the details of a Contract. Non-disclosure, forfeiture of possession of all retrieved objects within the Vektet, and a waiver that severed Odysseus Corporation's liability upon either injury or his untimely death.\n\n*\"Sign.\"\nImperative.* Not a request.\n\n\"I'll make this really simple for you.\"\n\"There's something I want retrieved discreetly from inside the Vektet.\"\n\"About...\" — she stared down at the tablet — \"Fifty-two minutes ago, the ALOIS unit we sent in stopped functioning.\"\n\n\"Oh, by-the-by. Don't ask any questions. Or talk to anyone else about what I'm having you do. You'll be payed in kind if you keep your mouth sealed.\"\n\nKirch folded her arms as she stared at the mercenary, before disappearing in a *`FWOOSH.`* Manifesting some distance behind him, she retrieved a satchel-like device — the V.A.R.E.T —, and another R.A.S.W.A.L.T—a single earpiece and a single contact lens. Not allowing the swiftness of her pace to be broken, with another *`FWOOSH`, the woman manifested beside the Red Weaver, and Shoved the satchel into his chest for him to grip.* Finally, she Tossed him the container which had the earpiece and the contact lens — he'd find out how to use it, probably.\n\n\"I want you to retrieve a piece of the ALOIS unit. A finger or two should suffice. Looks like a pale kid, about 150-centimeters tall, blonde hair, red eyes, made of wood... You catching this?\"" }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "Her stern talk didn't help him feel any better, but he calmed his nerves himself by just forgetting the fact that everything could kill him here with a single finger. Speaking of fingers, he didn't quite know what to do with the tablet and 'signing', so he dragged his finger on the tablet and drew a pentagram. He assumed it was to do some ritual or something.\nThe tablet was now imprinted with the Weaver's blood on the screen, which i'm sure makes it's warranty cover broken tablet screens by simply 'healing' the tablet. Pretty gross, but effective warranty.\n\nHe did nod at every information she gave him but paused at the fact that the person he was going to look after was made of.. Wood.\n\n\"..Wood? As in made from trees?\"\n\"..Ma'am, if you want me to heal a being made of wood, that's gonna be.. Tricky.. But, i'll do it regardless.\"\n\nIt took him a while to realise he was, in fact, not gonna be in control of this situation, but instead is gonna be a good boy and listen to whatever the psychic stern red lady says to her. Then again he is quite late.\n\n\"Where is this Alois being right now?\"" } ]	337	1,278
276	2022-07-02	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Kirch", "message": "\"Oh.\"\n\nKirch seemed slightly annoyed by the fact that he questioned, yet nonetheless also appeared slightly responsible for having not told him just what on earth was inside that satchel. With no more than a slight pause, she motioned toward the device — the satchel, with an odd sort of interface on its side — and explained succintly:\n\n\"That's a tether. A Vektet-Class Anomalistic Realm Exploration Tether — a VARET, if you're being specific.\"\n\"It's a device that directly overrides the anomalistic means of teleportation that the Vektet Uses to transport things in-and-out of its midst. Effectively, it allows us to control where the teleportative ground gate of the superstructure sends us. In short, it's your ticket to the Second Floor.\"\n\n\"Everything is already tuned for the Second Floor. That means that all you have to worry about is whether or not the little blue light is on,\" She spoke, pointing toward the small interface on the satchel. As she described, there was a persistent, blue light emanating from the interface.\n\n_ _\n\n\"Oh, and. It's the way you're getting out of the superstructure. If you lose it, it gets damaged, or, for some God-forsaken reason, you Turn it off, You're fucked. Do you catch my drift?\"\n\nSo she described. The device was mostly autonomous; the Weaver wouldn't have to worry about its specifics, so long as he wasn't planning on tinkering with it for one reason or another.\n\nAdjusting her sleeve, Kirch glared down at a watch affixed to her left arm. With a slight squint, she stared back up at the Weaver.\n\n\"For information-security concerns, I'm. Required to stay on this facility until you return. So.\" \n\n...She unsubtly made implication, tilting her head toward the open gate located at the bottom of the superstructure. Without any hindrances between him and the chamber within, the Weaver could board the Vektet As soon as he pleased. All it would take was a short pace forward, and a brief period of wait as the Ground Gate brought him to the Second Floor." }, { "author": "THE RED WEAVER", "message": "..No need to continue a conversation any further. Everything's been explained to him. The big upside down pyramid, what he would be doing, the pentagram he drew on the tablet..\n\nSo without waiting any longer, he put a foot forward.\n\nIt hadn't dawned on him the task that he would be doing and what he would be entering until that single step.\n\nHe felt his mind clear and remember that, at the end of the day, he's not superhuman like these people. He might know magic, and be really good at it, but he can't heal himself the same way he can others. His blood is worth it's value in gold but for him, it's just draining his energy away.\n\nThe Weaver paused for a few seconds, taking a deep breath and finally resuming his walk. His hands were lightly trembling. Was it from the lack of blood circulating in him, hunger that he hadn't quenched for a while, or simply fear, rational fear for what he was about to do?\n\nHe didn't know himself.\n\nHe turned his head sideways for Kirch despite not seeing her, simply giving a subtle nod and not saying another word." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "As the Red Weaver makes his way into the vast, hollow midst of the Vektet's Ground gate, he soon found himself elevated atop the cylindrical tablet of stone, engraved in manifold, infinitely-complex runes of foreign nature. An arcane presence enshrouds his body, as he quickly found himself in the presence of a subtle, yet almost Divine Presence of a strange, azure-blue magical energy. Its glow grew and grew, and soon he found himself completely swallowed by the mystic presence of the sudden energy, as the world around himself was `whisked away, into a location entirely foreign...`" } ]	238	828
528	2022-06-22	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "`As one approaches the warm light that does not wane even in the snow, their eyes settle on a small place of sanctuary.`\n`The one place undisturbed by the snowfield's blizzard — a single room where the snow does not settle, and where warmth emanates from the very ground upon which one stands.`\n\nThe unending gales of wind of the blizzard wane, dissipating as one grows closer to the light, granting for a moment of respite and solace within the clarity of sight and warmth of body granted by one's mere presence in the wake of the light. Indeed, as Sachiko wandered through the snowfield, and unconsciously followed that dim light, they were met with an unnaturally-open location, oddly devoid of snow, and without a hint of cold, gnawing winds to chide their flesh and blood.\n\nThe light faded, and its origin was revealed before them, in the epicenter of the strange domain of warmth and still. There, stood unimposing before them, was a single, symmetrical, and square building, no taller than three meters in height, and no larger than five meters in length on any of its four sides. Construed of no more than humble stone brickwork, the building remained in a stillness of an almost timeless nature, oddly both eerie and comforting at the same time. An unlocked door of a simple, yet elegant nature, allowed one entry to the building, should Sachiko brave the oddity of the still sanctuary within the snow." }, { "author": "[:: SACHIKO ::] ", "message": "Swiftly dashing through the snow, cursing under her breath, sachiko ran. Sachiko ran across the barren land, focused on searching for everybody else.\n\nSachiko wasn't sure where she was headed, or where exactly everyone needed to head, only trudging and treading through the snowy expanse on instinct and instinct alone, endlessly calling out for any signs of life, desprate to find a way out.\n\nAs the feline dashed and dashed through, sachiko could see a faint light: warmth was near. As if the light called, sachiko went, for light could mean safety. Or unending doom. Who knows!\n\n`[**]`\n\nNearing their destination, sachiko's pace slowed, finally worn from the fast-paced escape and constant screaming.\n\n\" Hello...? Is... Is anyone near...? \" \nSachiko calls out once more, desperate to find any sign of life in this barren land.\n\nBut despite their desperation, sachiko knew from within that no one was there, no one would respond, and that everyone was probably good and gone, all without her.\n\nHowever, sachiko felt it unnecessary to sulk now. What was there to sulk of anyway? Besides, the light seemed closer now, so perhaps a chance of finding a way through this barren land without the others would come to be fruitful.\n\n`[*]`\n\nAs she finally arrived to where the light led, they were instantly greeted by a lack of cold air in their fur, a feeling of warmth was near. Sachiko's notions were right. However, the lack of snow and cold in the area baffled the feline, feeling as if they were in a different area entirely.\n\nAnd if that strange occurrence wasn't enough, in front of them lies a strange stone structure: a sanctuary hidden within the snow. A feeling of relief was felt in their fur upon seeing the structure. However, the feline couldn't help but feel unnerved by the peace. It simply didn't feel real to them, not at all.\n\nSachiko felt slightly hesitant about entering any further. Especially since they still had no idea where the others were, or how to make their way out of this area. But then again, it wouldn't hurt to take a bit of a break before she set off once more. Who knew how much further she had to go, and either way, sachiko felt quite tired, even more tired than they usually were. So perhaps it would be a good time to take a breather, just for a little while. And perhaps they could encounter the others and tell them of such a place hidden in the snow.* \n\nTaking a deep breath, along with a chill of anticipation from within, they slowly walked towards the structure, soon entering the open entryway, highly curious of its contents." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The door smoothly glides past the wooden frame that encompasses it, and reveals the crimson-lit interior of the sanctuary.\n\nA light, a familiar light, crimson.\nA light that faintly glowed from both the roof and ceiling of the otherwise uncomplex and simple structure, and granted its interior a strange, alien glow, as though it were lit by the dim afterglow of a dying star. A light familiar, and a light identical to the one that guided Sachiko here. Yes, indeed, it seemed to call them.\n\nAfter all, the one who gave origin to this light took a very similar path to the outsider. A path unknown even to themselves.\n\nThe source of such a peculiar light seemed almost divine, but on further examination, would revealed to be no more than the work of a potent magic, no matter how oddly foreign or outright mythical it seemed. Engraved into both the floor and roof, there were dozens upon dozens of carefully-carved runes, each with indecipherable magical natures the likes of which were utterly apocryphal to one who hailed from any universe beside the one from which the Vektet Originated. Even the automatic translation device — the R.A.S.W.L.T system — would provide no aid toward unlocking their secrets. Still, it seemed that the warm glow and basic shape of the runes seemed to reminisce of former days; of days lit by the Sun. It was naturally soothing, and naturally expunging of the bitter cold within one's bones, quickly bringing them up to comfortable temperature within the midst of the humble sanctuary.\n\nOf course, the light was not only what was truly interesting about the interior of the sanctuary. While mostly empty on the inside, was Sachiko to divert their attention to the wall directly opposite themself, they would take note of an engraved image of the Moon. Not a full moon, but one just a quarter-revealed, just beginning its lunar cycle. A Waxing crescent. \n_ _\n\nBeneath the simple engraving of the moon of a waxing crescent, there seemed to be much smaller, yet finely-chiseled carvings of text. The script of the text was unknown to Sachiko, of course, for it originated within the Vektet. However, the translative device provided to the mercenary would, this time around, be of some use — the contact within their left eye subtly glowed, a blue, holographic text originating from the device overlaying the engraved text. Translated, it read:\n\n```cs\n'ᴱᴿᴱ ᴿᴱᴵᴿᵁᴱ'\n\"ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ.\"\n\n\"𝘈 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦.\"\n\"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘖𝘬𝘰𝘵. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙭𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩.\"```" }, { "author": "Qaa", "message": "`\"𝒶𝒽𝒽, 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝒹𝑜𝓃 𝓂𝑒?\"`\n\n—A gentle, and quite quiet voice broke the silence, speaking from a person who oddly went unseen, sitting against one of the walls of the sanctuary. Considering the humble size of the building, it seemed an improbability that Sachiko would have overseen her, and yet, there she appeared, as if she had been glossed over as a mere shadow. A woman clad in delicate, lengthy white lace, with what appeared to be an embroidered blindfold and a sisterly hood over her eyes and head, respectively. Her head perked to the attention of the sudden visitor to the sanctuary, and the notion of both confusion and curiosity pulled at her lips, her mouth opening slightly in surprise.\n\n`\"𝒽𝓂𝓂\"`\n\nHer lips closed tight again, and she hummed with slight curiosity, blindly tilting her head in the vague direction of the stranger.R\n\n`\"𝒞𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒾?\"`\n\n...She questioned, and it was immediately made clear that she hadn't an idea who Sachiko was.\n\n`\"...𝑜𝓇 𝑅𝑒𝓊𝓀... 𝒽𝓂...\"`\n\nShe pondered, and paused for a prolonged time, as if both to collect her thoughts, and to allow the stranger time to introduce themself." } ]	450.5	2,112
529.8	2022-04-22	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "exousian", "message": "*The summit of Sol's Embrace, overlooking the entirety of the First Floor of the Vektet.\n\nA wide, open and cylindrical space, positioned vertically enough within the First Floor that it nearly brushes against the false, green sky that overhangs the entirety of the artificial, internal ecosystem that carpets the floor of the superstructure. The natural flora of can be seen, yet also due to its extreme height, what is Beyond* The cobbled wall can be seen, as well. A moderately-sized village encompassing the entirety of the remaining ground-space of the First Floor stretches some distance beyond the expanse of the tall cobbled wall, the village surrounding a central object: yet another great-tower, overgrown with tendril-like, glowing blue roots. The tower is directly opposite the Embrace of Sol itself, yet extends much further in height, seemingly ascending above and beyond the false green sky.\n\nReaching the summit of the tower, Gaige would be met with the incredible sight that its summit offered. The second great-tower, quite some distance away from him, and overgrown with the familiar sight of the glowing blue root, would likely be his final destination on the First Floor of the Vektet, considering their goal was to, essentially, ascend the superstructure.\n\nMore immediately relevant, perhaps, would be the sight of a Large, stone statue, positioned at the center of the overlook, its visage facing the second great-tower off in the distance. The statue seems to represent a massive (~335cm), armored man. Both of its hands clutch a distinctly Metallic hilt-half of a rusty, shattered straightsword, Separate from the statue itself.\n\nAt the foot of the statue, yet another tablet of stone, inscribed similarly to the last, was present. Upon further analysis, it would describe the nature of the statue:\n_ _\n\n```fix\nAn image representative of the Solar Guardian, who, from his tower of sanctity, gazed upon the floor of his domain in languish. Its skies of dim green were wanting of the fervor of the sun, and its corrupted ground remained in contemptible impurity. Consoled by his brother, the Eclipse Guardian Ukue, the two conspired in order to bring the glory of Sol to the First Floor.\n\nThe twin instruments representative of the Uezer Eikokue's inherited blood were to be conjoined upon the face of the Eclipse Guardian's altar, and the age of Impurity's Abolishment would be beckoned forth.\n\nAlas, the Solar Guardian, caught in unseen heresy, was branded by our lord the Ezer, and thrust from knighthood. Thus was his instrument of holy blood sealed away, in the dutiful hands of this languished image.\n\nOne day, when the Sun of Reversion shines on the visage of this languished image, the defiled blade Eezero will be wrested from its grip. It is an instrument of ambition, and one that will see the either the aspirations of the Solar Guardian or the heretic Aazkue fulfilled to the bitter end.```" }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "Free from the piercing red light of the prayer room, Gaige had reached the summit of the tower. The veneer of the ceiling now particularly stood out, Gaige almost able to run his hand across it. The first thing that stood out to him was no doubt the massive statue within the center of the summit. The hero approached the enormous sculpture which depicted a hardened warrior, clad in armor with a shattered blade in their hands. Reading the stone tablet which rested at the feet of the icon, Gaige began his reflection upon it. Many of the names involved in the scripture he had already known, Aazkue, Ukue, and the Ezer being familiar to him. However, the _Uezer Eikokue_ was a foreign concept to the hero. Unfortunately, the tablet elaborated on it not, the only words of importance being 'inherited blood'.\n\nFrom reading the rest of the tablet, Gaige ascertained a deal of knowledge towards the concepts of this world. The two brothers had sought to usher this land into the age of _Impurity's Abolishment_—together. Yet Aazkue was branded a traitor by their lord and had their _instrument of holy blood_ sealed away. Gaige could only assume the instrument referred to the sword within the statue's grasp. Of course—the hero had no clue what the age of _Impurity's Abolishment_ exactly was, but perhaps he'd learn eventually. One thing remained clear: from what he knew, the only two individuals who could take possession of the blade within the statue were Ukue, and himself. As far as he knew, no other users of the _Sun of Reversion_ existed in this land.\n\n_ _\nWith this, the hero would open his satchel, his hands digging through the three papers and journal before pulling out a specific page: the third note from the rusted door. He read it over again, eyes locking onto a peculiar set of words: '_I will return, one day, to the First Floor, with greater understanding of the Sun of Reversion._' Could this blade be why Ukue desired greater insight into the prayer? Though, if that were true... Would he himself be able to remove the sword from the statue with his power? He would have to make an attempt to retrieve the broken sword from its resting place.\n\nThough—the tablet does not mention strength; perhaps simply showcasing the _Sun of Reversion_ would suffice? The hero held his hand out towards the statue, reciting the prayer, \"_Qoqqeivue Ezuek._\" An ephemeral, holy light was emitted from his hand—the prayer being cast with only a diminutive amount of mana allotted towards it." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The image of the Solar Guardian rumbles.\n\nAs the light of the Sun of Reversion — regardless of its strength — illumined the hands of the dutiful, languished image, the stone begins to shift, in a deep, rumbling reverberation. In direct reaction to the nature of the spell, runes glow across the surface of the image, which were, most likely, seals, and its Grip loosens, releasing the rusted, shattered form of the blade it once gripped.\n\nThe blade loosed from its hands, and clattered against the ground before Gaige." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero lowers his hand, watching as the icon began to rumble. Seems like the strength of the prayer mattered not, the man grasping the broken sword from the pedestal of the statue. He analyzed the blade, an overwhelming energy surging through it; the power emanating off this blade was greater than that of _Okaarum_, but it seemed to be impossible to draw out. With his examination of the broken sword complete, he released his grip upon it; the sword was suspended in midair, soon rising 30 cm to the left of Gaige's head, the man carrying it with telekinesis.\n\nAfterwards, he gazed out into the distance towards the village and the tower. Etra had mentioned a second tower existed—the tower in the distance likely being what he had meant. The masked man also warned Gaige of an immense presence which loomed close to the tower—one strong enough to alarm him. With the cat who was behind him, Gaige came to a conclusion that heading straight to the structure would be a lapse in judgement with the cat pounding at his shield. The rest of the mercenaries likely are on their way to the tower already as well.\n\nWith this resolution, Gaige approached the edge of the tower to the right of the Aazkue sculpture. \"_Okaarum_, return.\" The hero called forth the massive dragon bone, the top of it hovering level with the summit. Placing both feet upon it, he released the _Solar Aegis_ which blocked Tabby, Gaige rapidly descending into the forest below.\n\nThe _Solar Aegis_ which hindered Tabby's progression through the tower was released, the rock colliding against the staircase and the punch of the defender striking nullity.\n\n_ _\nThe hero eventually reached the bottom of the enormous tower, hopping off the pillar and accelerating with incredible speed towards the cobblestone wall. The wall—only being around 100 feet away—was reached in record time, the hero looking up at the merely ten~ foot wall. Mana converged at his feet as he kicked off the ground, grasping the edge of the wall and pulling himself over. Yet again, he landed on _Okaarum_, allowing a safe descent from the wall. Brushing past the dense foliage of the flora, Gaige had found himself in a deep, expansive forest.\n\nTrees covered the false sky, the hero now enveloped by the topiary figures. For now, the hero began to waltz through the forest—his aim foreign. Telling direction within the maze was nigh-impossible, the hero using uniquely shaped timber as a guide. Never before seen fauna roamed the forest as well, but were not hostile to the hero luckily. He dared not interact with them up close of course, not wishing to create unnecessary danger. Although, Hunger Was starting to set in as time went on. His aimless wandering eventually bore fruit however, the familiar blue glow of the roots appearing in the distance. As he approached, it became clear he had come to a middle section of the root, creating difficulty in locating its origin. Having a general sense of direction using specific trees and habitats as landmarks, he followed the root in what he believed Led deeper into the forest." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Of course, with nothing left to block her way, Tabby surges forward, reading first the tablet in the prayer-room only partially before zooming on up the stairs. Someone's gonna die today. Upon reaching the summit of the tower, she scans the room for anything that might indicate an invisibility spell, yet, nothing sticks out. The hunter sniffs the air, trying to catch a whiff of Gaige's scent with her sharp nose. She growls and grumbles as she catches Absolutely nothing To indicate if he's hiding somewhere invisible to her eye. Guess there's only really one way he could've gone, assuming, of course...\n\nShe glances upwards, just to be extra extra sure he wasn't floating above to psyche her out, before.. Yeah, I don't think he's up there... If anything, he's... She peers over the side of the tower, trying to spot him by eye. From so high up, of course that would be nigh impossible to do, so the only thing this cat can do is to pack up and get down there on foot.\n\nOf course, defenders don't exactly need to breathe, so... There is nothing to worry about in regards to suffocation. She attaches both bags onto their proper loops on her belt, casting Ashardalon's Stride At 3rd level and quite literally ZIPPING back down the stairs, wall-running across the parts where the floor is caved in in tandem with her Feline Agility trait, dashing at a staggering 200ft per (~)6 seconds, repeatedly, after the stupid mercenary with his stupid magic. No match, of course, for Gaige himself, but it's still far faster than the average human can do.\n\n_ _\nIn what Would Be record time if the man of the hour wasn't so fast, Tabby reaches the bottom and begins sniffing around to make an educated guess of where to try. To aid herself in that end, she follows the smell in one direction until it peters out\n\nCasting the cantrip Thaumaturgy, Tabby's voice booms throughout the forest at 3x its normal volume. \"COME OUT, COME OUT!\" She taunts, screeching at the top of her growly, lispy voice, still sniffing for the 'hero' at the bottom of the tower before catching a lead, running through the forest towards a big wall. The tabaxi steps back a couple paces upon viewing it to just judge it, seeing it as nothing more than just another obstacle. She does a quick stretch of the old paws, because casting Spider Climb In tandem with Feline Agility & her innate climbing speed, scaling the wall in a rather quick time (~100ft/6s) and kicking off again, sliding down with the same usage that she did to climb it. She continues to hold her concentration for the next bit, as who knows when someone will need to make a tactical retreat up a nearby tree if things go wrong?\n\nLike Gaige before her, the cat also feels slightly hungry, yet now is no time for a snack break. There's a reckoning to be had." } ]	640	2,649
97.571429	2022-06-04	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Ve", "message": "`From one destination to another,`\n`the porcelain-masked man traversed the First Floor with unhindered speed, enabled by the oneness of the dark that transposed his form.`\n\nSo now he manifested at the summit of the Embrace of Sol, the golden glitter of hallowed manas trickling from the ports of his eyes. The shadows coalesced, and emerging from their darkness was him — Ve.\n\n```fix\n\"Peace and greetings to you, my former Lord.\"```" }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "\"B-By the Sun!\"\n\n—The nobly-clad woman who had only just settled into her surroundings visibly and audibly flinched, shifting her gaze toward the sudden emergence of the man. She would raise a hand initially in a display of her awe, but would yet, after composing herself beyond a first instinct, extend that hand in an awkward greeting.\n\nBut it was not to her that the man's words were directed." }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "```fix\n\"𝚈𝚘𝚞.\"```\n\nHe sneered, furling his left hand tight into a fist, as he locked his golden Eyes of Providence upon the man who manifested a lesser incantation of *VAazva's own mastery. Arcane energy trickled from his fingertips as he suppressed his anger, and only did not further question Ve due to the presence of his swift statement to follow." }, { "author": "Ve", "message": "```fix\n\"The Root-Crown, Aazkue, has awoken from his branded slumber.\"\n\n\"But I am certain you already knew that, Lord of the Eyes of Providence...\"```\n\nVe spoke, shifting his right hand to motion toward the dimmed presence of the incantation `Quetaa Ezuek`* Upon the horizon — invisible from this distance to the typical human's eye, yet clearly visible to the two who had manifested such powerful visual techniques progenerated by the Arue's Coalesced teachings.\n\n```fix\n\"It seems now that the outsiders have taken to his side.\"\n\"Aatkei and Kovrot are at the foot of the Ascent to the Second Floor.\"\n\n\"𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥.\"```" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "His crippling glare of virulent gold locked solely on the sight that was Ve's soul.\n\nThere was wavering, there was conniving, there was subterfuge, there was malicious intent — there was a whole, whirling world of dense contrivance beneath the surface layer of Ve's words, \n\nAnd yet,\n\n*He could not find a single lie." }, { "author": "Reizaa", "message": "\"Boss, you can't think to go—! Not at This very moment,* At the least! Aazku—\"" }, { "author": "Yellow-Eyed Vaazva", "message": "She hadn't yet finished her words, as VAazva's presence shimmered, dissipating into nothingness, as he faded and became one with the tenebrous at his feet." } ]	89	683
172.875	2022-04-21	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Having ascended the staircase with her trusty defender, Tabby, too, reads over the tablet; thinking of the choice before her as she reads, trying to transcribe what word could be missing — of course, none comes to mind. The defender is a robot, and can only comprehend certain languages, so it doesn't make an attempt to see whatever word is underneath — common is easy enough, but it cannot transcribe lost text.\n\nThe cat looks over her shoulder to Mae, not saying a word — then back to the door.\n\nShe then chooses to walk Up the next set of stairs, her defender following her as she goes. This cat won't just quit. In fact, she's so against quitting that she activates her Feline Agility Trait, dashing up the stairs at a similar pace to that of Gaige. Her defender is sorta left hanging, too slow to keep up, but too fast to be left in the dust. It clunks and clamors up the steps, a bit clumsy it seems — or perhaps just untuned, due to how rushed its construction looks." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "Seeing as there was no need to further inspect the -room, the bandit paid it no mind as he zipped by it, making a beeline for the next room up the stairs. Seeing the empty, cylindrical room, he skids on his paws. The flurry of embers behind him quietly fell, the bandit breaking in order to make his next decision.\n\n```fix\n\"Okay... Coin flip kinda fucked me in the progression of explorin' this place... Well kinda, considerin' I got this cool gold piece.\"```\n\nKuouo glanced forward at the door, back towards the staircase, and the door again. He scratched the base of his bloodied right horn, still unsure as to which route he should take.\n\n```fix\n\"Okay, how's this.. Go ahead and take a gander out the green glow-y door and if there's nothin' of interest... Jus' go back inside and climb up the stairs. Yeah, that sounds good, daheh!```\n\nHe took his method of traversal down a couple of notches, now walking up to the glowing door and squinting at the sign beside it. More nonsense to him, really... Though he wondered if the scribbled out name had to do with the last words of both his and Gaige's opponents.\n\n```fix\n\"Aazkue?... Wonder what kinda bs is happenin' in this super-structure. It's like a different world in this place - Wait. If I go out this door, will I still be able to see Balfour?\"```\n\nHe raised an eyebrow, reaching out and pulling the door open." }, { "author": "Gaige", "message": "The hero's speed drops, before whispering, \"_Okaarum, return._\" The massive bone pillar manifested just behind him as he shifted into a full stop. With inhuman force, the chunk of bone slammed into the ceiling above the staircase, the shockwave of the impact stretching all the way to the room that Tabby and the rest had appeared in. _Okaarum_ was then recalled, the ceiling beginning to collapse from the singular strike of the prodigious bone pillar. Rubble fell from the ceiling, the stairs collapsing as well under the immense weight that laid upon it. This was no attack however, the rubble not reaching Tabby. Instead, the way forward was now blockaded by massive piles of debris. Not only that, but even if one could move the rubble, the portion of stairs beneath had been annihilated. Gaige turned to face the creature that had attempted to follow him, looking down from the upper portion of the stairs.\n\n\"As I told your friend down there, _do not follow me._ If I'm forced to cross any of you, I will show no sympathy or mercy. I could care less if you explore whatever lies beyond the door below, but trailing me will only result in your death. I have no trust in any of you damn hired guns.\" With even greater speed than before, the man climbed the rest of the stairs, reaching the room that awaited him at the top." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The old door of a faded green light creaks open, and reveals... An entire world beyond the tower, itself." }, { "author": "kuouo", "message": "```fix\n\"Thaaaat's not Balfour.\"```\n\nTbc in" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"Oh, so that's how it'll be...\" The cat retorts, \"Fine, guess you'll have it your way..\" Although knowing that Gaige had reached the top by now, Tabby takes a moment to examine her gauntlet, just making sure that everything was in order, before first extending her gauntlet to the stairwell she came from, calling her defender to her side and grabbing hold of its arm, turning it into ethereal light.\n\nIn a flash, the defender appears on the other side of the rubble. Obviously, since Gaige had been able to stand there seconds prior, the floor was solid. All Tabby had to do was see where he stood in order to cast Vortex Warp On her companion, who abruptly turns around and uses a Force-Empowered Rend On the rubble, attempting to blast it away for the cat to give chase. Ahhhh, spell limitations.. If only I took the time to learn Misty Step instead.. She quietly curses herself under her breath, before clearing ahead.\n\nShould the rubble cave in, Tabby would use her Climbing speed Of 20ft/6 seconds, clinging to the edges of the wall and totally just... Breath of the Wild'ing it.\n\nOf course, there Is An alternative solution to this dilemma, but... \"No, that would be Way Too destructive.. And a waste of time..\" She mumbles to herself, sidling up to her defender and climbing aboard, ready for what may lie ahead. \"Better to just use it on the man himself, hmm..\"" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He ascended the rest of the stairs without issue, having managed to \"Repair\" The cut strap of the VARET and free up his hands, knowing the bandit had his own way out certainly put an ease on his conscience, one less person to worry about, all he had to do now was locate a gate.\n```diff\n- \"MOVE IT DRONE\" -\n```\nHe shouted down the stairwell to his floating companion as he reached the first floor and was met with the destroyed staircase, having not been present before it was turned to rubble he had no reason to suspect it hadn't always looked like that, and continued through the doorway." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "Moments later the drone followed behind, making a few beeping sounds and scanning the structure as it went." } ]	179	1,383
60	2022-04-22	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Gaige", "message": "`What a damn annoyance.` The man thought to himself, sensing Tabby's usage of mana due to his mastery over the arcane. The hero let out a deep breath, \"_Veie Ezuek._\" He turned to face the stairway as a Massive Solar Aegis was formed in front of him. Yet another shockwave moved throughout the tower, the shield now being planted at the top of the stairwell, denying entry. Kaaze himself could not break through the shield using his unrelenting strength alongside his halberd in the end. The man spoke, \"Not 'til I say.\" The hero calmly proceeded to then explore the room he had found himself in." }, { "author": "Shade", "message": "\"Wow, to think humans could be that big, weird as hell, huh Josh?\" Shade said as they were climbing up the staircase" }, { "author": "Josh", "message": "\"To be fair we have no idea where the Vektet came from, it could be from an alternate timeline where humans are unnaturally large.\"\n\n\"Now the real question is-\" Josh paused as he witnessed the solar aegis/\n\nJosh's eyes popped out in a comical fashion as he observed the massive thing." }, { "author": "rszo", "message": "```mae will be dropped from the quest```" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Josh & Shade are also treated to the blistering speed of Tabby, utilizing her Ashardalon's Stride and quite literally setting the stairs ablaze in her wake, streaking right through the room and down to the bottom, chasing something unseen. Two for one special on weird magic shit." } ]	60	300
270.4	2022-04-27	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He reached the top of the hill and gazed upon the tower, a structure of epic proportions to be sure.. Ahead of him lay a number of obstacles, not just the fortifications but 2 individuals, the first he did not know but the second would appear to be Kaataa, matching perfectly the description given by the highway man.\nNow all he had do was figure out the way forward, there were many paths he could take, diplomacy - unlikely, stealth - possible though not preferred, confrontation - also possible, probably, the man it was true was quite large and probably quite strong but so was Chumall, and he had enough tricks up his sleeve to at the very least survive.\nHe walked forward but would stop before he reached Foster, it seemed something would happen and so for the time being he would stop and wait to see what would unfold." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "`Hummmm... Ah fuck it. Chivalry's dead.` Foster stepped out of his cover, announcing his presence to the lone man. The mercenary approached with his hands up, showing no aggression. \"Hey, hey! Name's Foster, but you can call me Fost.\" His eyes looked over the shoulder of the man, staring up at the tower, \"That's the way to the next floor, ain't it? You see—I'm trying to leave this place, and I'd greatly appreciate it if you, well, stepped aside. Whaddya say? You don't have to fight, and I don't have to fight. Win-win situation!\" He exclaimed, his gaze locking with the man's... Mask. `Mask, huh? Just my luck...` He thought in despondency, not lowering his arms.\n\nNot a single ounce of vehemence could be felt from the man's aura... As if he was an empty shell. His exterior screamed a sense of jolliness and placidity, But the masked man could feel a strange air whispering throughout the atmosphere. Foster made no moves towards the man, awaiting a response—be it diplomacy, or violence." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "Pacing about and around the base of the tower, Tabby would be met with a rather upfront and very pressing obstacle, in her attempt to find a creative way to access the tower indirectly. As she crossed counter-clockwise to the northeast of the tower, she'd note that the ground and village began to descend Downhill, putting her at uneven ground with the tower, itself. After descending some distance below the northern greattower, she would soon realize that the tower, itself, was elevated above and beyond the surrounding village, at the summit of a Hill — a Cliffed hill, Whose summit could only be accessed through the straight-shot path that was The Ascent, Being, itself, positioned on a hill adjacent and equal to the height of the greattower, itself. \n\nPut simply, it seemed that, besides either taking the straight road northwards, or scaling the one of the two rows of housing alongside the straight road and utilizing them as an elevated vantage-point to get as close to the tower as possible before returning to ground-level and bypassing the fortifications, were her only options." }, { "author": "Kaataa", "message": "The towering man of a burly physique stared through his mask as the man approached, practically begging for his presence to be detected. He walked in the open light, hands up, yelling towards him without a care in the world. Cracking his neck, the supposed guard of the pathway was certain of Foster's nature — he was either bold beyond all belief, or simply, completely, and utterly stupid. \n\nIt appeared, judging on how he hadn't reacted to anyone but Foster himself, that the man had not noticed either Tabby or Cumhall.\n\nGrinning lightly beneath his mask, he folds his arms, giving an upwards nod towards the approaching mercenary. A confident cockiness exuded from his body-language, and, judging by the sheer breadth of his musculature, he likely had the skills to back such confidence, as well. The gauntlets wrapped about each of his arms were nothing to laugh at, either — they were Very Thick and most likely Very Heavy, yet appeared weightless on each of his girthy arms. Judging from the fact that the man had no weapons on his person, it was more than likely that his gauntlet-bearing fists, themselves, were his weapons of choice.\n\n*\"Oh! Tryin' to leave, are ya, mate?!\"\n\n—he yelled at Foster while he was still at a distance,\n\n\"Trust me, I know the feelin'! Come a bit closer, little guy! We can talk this out, real nice, like gentlemen, heh...\"\n\nHe gave a large, sadistic grin, yet it was hidden beneath his mask. His head still tilted slightly upwards, he remained with his arms folded, awaiting for Foster to either comply, or to try something funny. Something funny, which he'd regret real quickly." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "He chuckled at the man's confidence, smirking. \"Pretty cocky, aren't you? I'm not one for fighting really—not very good at it, you see? S'why I wanted to walk past you, but...\" He gripped the hilt of his longsword, drawing it from the sheathe at his waist. Not a sound was made from the sheathe as the sword made its exit.* He flourished the blade, pointing the tip directly at the masked man. \"I need to get to that tower, friend. And if you're what's blocking my path, then so be it.\" Despite the mercenary's admittance of being poor at combat, he exuded an overwhelming sense of tenacity as he challenged the massive man.\n\nThat strange aura that swirled about the atmosphere grew as Foster moved into a pflug stance.\n\n. . . . .\n\n. . .\n\n`But as I said...`\n\n__*`I'm not very good at fighting.`__\n\n```diff\n- Without warning, the towering behemoth of a man fell to his knees, his head rolling across the ground.```\n\nFoster—now behind the man—ran his blade through the crevice of his forearm and bicep, purging the blood from his blade as he sheathed it.\n\n\"Should've been more alert, friend. It's as they say: _chivalry's dead._\" Foster mocked the fallen warrior, averting his gaze from him. He would then attempt to proceed on his path to the Tower.*" } ]	249	1,352
268.428571	2022-04-28	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Kaataa", "message": "Kaataa tilted his head oncemore, as if confused at the sight of Foster preparing to fight. Was this man really just that dull? Didn't he know Who the hell he was fucking with? Disgusted, the pugilist unfolds his arms, his posture flaring up as Foster continued to approach.\n\n\"You got a death wish? Or are you just that dense?\"*\n\nHe lifted his fists, preparing for battle, as Foster entered Pflug stance. Once hostilities had been established between the two, those even within the general Proximity* Of Kaataa could feel his intent to kill practically overflowing from within his body. He was clearly a hardened warrior, a man strengthened by many battles, and one who had no regard for life in the slightest. Now, it seemed clear: Foster never had a chance to speak with him in the first place. No, rather, with such a sadistic aura pouring from Kaataa's presence, it was made certain that he would've Killed him at the first convenient opportunity he attained.\n\nSlamming his fists together with a reverberating *CLANG, CLANG,* He prepared for battle, giving a hearty cry as he stepped forwa—\n\n~~```diff\n-【 ꜱ ʟ ɪ ᴄ ᴇ 】-```~~\n\n`\"ᵘʰ\"`\n\nThe pugilist slumps, *`dead.`\n\nAn unseen attack from behind... From when? He never saw him move... And when he became aware of his presence, he was all too late. Perhaps it was Kaataa's fault in his overconfidence; or, perhaps, it was simply a mismatch in his and Foster's individual natures as fighters. Nonetheless, the first of their obstacles along the path had been quelled..." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The path before them is open, up until the fortifications that barricade its very end. The aura chills as the guardian's lifeless body seeps blood across the bricked path, his decapitated body, still warm, lain still across the ground...\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\|\|` H `\|\|\n\|\|` u `\|\|\n\|\|` m `\|\|\n\n\n\n\n`The pugilist was only the beginning of their troubles.`\n`A tense chill overtakes the surrounding atmosphere.`\n`Those who walk the path feel the sudden sensation that they are being watched.`\n`No, rather`\n`they now realize that they were being watched, from the beginning.`\n\nThere is still another guardian of the path, yet unseen." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Tabby remains cloaked, still trying to see if there was Any* Alternative solution to be had as she picks option B; scaling nearby houses. Even if the current threat was dealt with — which was Rather strange In its own way — Tabby feels something creeping down her spine, giving a tingling sense which makes her want to employ her Defender, but... Doing so would mean that she temporarily gives away that she is nearby, even if she doesn't actually do the fighting herself.\n\nBest to keep a watchful eye out, for now. She thinks, still scouting her way in through her magical cloak, thankful for the protection it is lending her at this very moment, taking her sweet time on the high ground but still making her way through her planned route of going all the way over and straight down through the defenses, hoping to just sneak by unharmed." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "The mercenary continued along the road, imagining possible ways to navigate around the wooden barricade which lied in wait. `Not strong enough to break that down. And I don't see any other way through. Hummm...` Something bothered the man however, slowly grasping the hilt of his sword. _Was something trailing the man...?_ He marched forward, not stopping despite his worries. That same, puppet-like aura began to resonate from the mercenary. He drew his sword, turning on his heel and scanning the area behind him." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n - \"Well that was much faster than expected\" -\n```\nHe mumbled to himself almost dissapointed with the speed at which the foe had been dealt with, however he had learned something valuable; the stranger did not immediately resort to violence, this was good.\nHe began walking forward slowely, he needed time to think of his next move, however it seemed Foster had decided for him by.. Turning around.\nHe quickly composed himself and raised a hand in greeting.\n```diff\n- \"Hello there stranger, pleasure to make your acquaintance.\"-\n```\nHe made a dramatic show of rolling his wrist like someone taking a bow in a stage play.\n```diff\n- \"Now i can just tell by the way you handled that situation you are a reasonable folk, yes?, see im like you, a humble traveller who wishes but to progress.\" -\nHe had taken on an exagerated cadence that one would think to find in their favourite fantasy media, giving off a sence of light heartedness.\nHe came closer now extending a hand to Foster, his voice returned to normal.\n```diff\n- \"Perhaps we may work together, or not, i dont care as long as i may continue forward\" -" }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "As the two gather upon the path, Tabby scales the houses, traversing atop them unhindered, for some time. The strange sensation that Each of them, despite their visibility, are being watched, Persists, the strange, chilled, and humming atmosphere resounding with the peculiar notion. Foster and Cumhall could feel it just the same as Tabby, despite the latter one being entirely invisible. There was a strange sense of all-presence in the notion of watchedness...\n\nTabby continued across the rooftops, unseen to the naked eye. As she continued along the roofs, now roughly parallel in forwards-positioning to Foster and Cumhall, yet elevated atop one of the roofs alongside the main pathway. Continuing at her own lenient pace, the sensation only grew stronger and stronger as she progressed. Each step across the smoothed rooftops of the temporary-housings felt as though they only brought her closer to the presence that oversaw her, yet there was noone clearly in her line-of-sight. Yet, that was.\n\n\n*\|\|` H `\|\|\n\|\|` I `\|\|\n\|\|` S `\|\|\n\n\n\n\n\nThe tangibility of the presence sharply spikes, and directly ahead of Tabby, at a distance no more than five meters, she sees a shimmering, red light.\n\nA twisted, arcane energy cascades forth from the light, a crimson, smoky haze expanding from its glowing form. Forming a plume, the red smoke grew and grew, expanding its territory at a rapid pace, until it had grown enough to form a clear image — that of a Person's.\n_ _" }, { "author": "OTAARAA, EXILED ECLIPSE KNIGHT", "message": "`Emerging from the shimmering, red smoke comes the towering, knightly figure of an armored warrior.`\n\nStood at an even taller stature than the pugilist-warrior positioned on the street below, the knightly warrior boasted an unmatched height of 241cm, his posture straight, tidy, and formal, yet clearly prepared for battle. Unlike the armor of the knights they had encountered up until now, the man who had emerged from the red haze donned a set of tarnished, silver armor, emblazoned with obscure, yet immensely-intricate engravings that depicted a particular unknown insignia across his breastplate. At his left hip, sheathed, there was the form of a Colossal longsword,* Likely over 2 meters in length, supported effortlessly at his side. \n\nHis face, obscured by his helmet, allowed not a sight of his features, save for the dim enigma that were his two shadowed eyes, peering forwards — and, disturbingly enough, directly at Tabby, despite the fact that she lacked visibility to speak of. The knight, despite her usage of invisibility, could Sense her.\n\n```diff\n- \" \" -```\n\nThe knight silently mouthed words, the motion of his lips unseen beneath the silver prison that was his helmet. He takes a sharp, forced breath inwards, placing his hand on the sword at his hip—\n\n\n```diff\n- 𝙳 𝙾 𝙾 𝙼 . -```*\n\n\nBefore one could blink an eye, the sword erupted from its sheathe, and a streak of crimson paints the atmosphere a bloody hue.\nA horizontal slash pierced the silence.\n\nWithout even needing to take a step forwards, the knight released a lethal strike forwards, with the unseen form of his crimson blade. It now rested still at his hip, yet in the moment that he had unsheathed it, he Horizontally sliced the roof upon which Tabby stood,* Annihilating the stone from which it was construed, barely missing Tabby's legs.\n\n*A simple warning. The knight did not miss without intent. It was a message to retreat or Die.***" } ]	250	1,879
413.25	2022-04-29	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Her hair raises as the knight appears, ddrawing her crossbow before — CrRkKKCRACKKKkkkk\n\nThe roof in front of her is sliced cleanly, causing her to stumble back and fall flat on her rear. Through some absolute miracle, Tabby manages to maintain Concentration On Invisibility (I rolled a 10, which is the absolute minimum to keep con if you didn't take damage), holding on for dear life as the knight stands in front of her, managing to keep the spell under control. \n\nDespite her Invisibility, Tabby does let out an audible \"HO-HO-HO-LY SHIT\", loud enough for both of Cumhall and Foster to catch wind of.\n\nShe stands back up, slowly, bringing her arm down to her side and considering her options, drawing a pocketwatch with a Very Long chain from her Trinket Bag and letting it extend to its fullest, holding it as though one would a pendulum, just in case the knight does something silly like attack again. She makes a stance she deems threatening Without Moving forward and takes the Ready Action, still invisible to all that don't have the keen senses like that of the enemy before her. The pendulum beginning to swing, benign for the moment. Tabby prepares to cast Sleep With her action.\n\nWithout her Steel Defender to back her up, Tabby Ends her Turn." }, { "author": "Foster", "message": "He analyzed the man who presumably was trailing him, looking down at his extended hand. Most mercenaries he'd known had no sense of courtesy, but this one did strangely enough. He smirked, his lips parting into a wide smile, \"Ah,\" He raised both his hands, turning down the man's handshake, \"I wouldn't touch me. Blue root infeste—\" His speech was interrupted, a thundering sound reverberating throughout the air.\n\nCRASH\n\nRUMBLE...\n\nThe stone of the rooftop began to crumble down from the rooftop, averting his gaze to the situation. Atop the roof stood a knight of renowned stature, wielding a ginormous sword—too big for any ordinary man. Yet also, a scream from the winds cried out. _Was the knight attacking an unseen individual?_ For why else would the warrior strike the roof? Neither of the two mercenaries were near it. He looked in awe at the knight, his pupils diverting their attention to the great barricade that halted his approach. `So that's why...` Something had revealed itself to the man, turning his attention to Cumhall as His body began to waver.\n\n\"I'd like to consider myself a smart man—one with a good sense of people. You're a good fellow. S'why I suggest you try to get out of here while that knight's distracted.\" His body had begun to Dissipate, \"See the damage that one blow caused? I don't plan on getting anywhere near that kind of power myself. But—hey. It's your life. You wanna fight that monster, go ahead. Me though? I can only wish you luck, friend.\" The mercenary wished Cumhall luck in whatever path he decided, The man's body vanished in a black smoke.\n\n. . .\n\n`Bastard...!`" }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "He watched in awe at the sight of the knight, Aint that a fuckin sight he thought, certainly a formiddable foe and not one he could take on his own, he was semi confident in his ability to not die but he doubted he could fell such an enemy alone.\n```diff\n- \"You know, im sure if we work toge-\" -\n```\nThe stranger vanished.\n```diff\n- \"Little fuckin bastard\" -\n```\nWith the aid departed he sought to re-analyze the situation, the only consolation was the knight's apparent lack of ranged weaponry, though magic could not be ruled out, and he still held a few trump cards should things get.. Dicey.\nThe sword was powerful, and it had reach, he began to think of ways to invalidate or disarm the knight but all were impractical and unlikely to work.\nThough as he thought he began to formulate a.. Well plan was a stetch, a course of action.\n```diff\n- \"Lets see how ya like this\" -\n```\nHe reaches into a pouch on his belt and drew out a large vaugely square shaped device and attatched it to the side of his rifle, he held down a switch and began to shift around components on the gun transforming it into something new.\nHe pulled the trigger and instead of a bolt what came out was a bright searing beam of white energy that crackled and sizzled with instability, his target was the knight's chest, the initial impact would be staggering, though for one as heavily armoured as the knight pose little danger, yet if the preassure was held too long, the armour would surely melt." }, { "author": "OTAARAA, EXILED ECLIPSE KNIGHT", "message": "The brilliant crimson sheen of the blade gliding before her very eyes—\nThe defiance of its reach, its cutting edge far beyond its length —\nThe violent fury of its arcane energy, like that of a dying star—\nThe piercing of a veil, wounding the very atmosphere—\n\n*—the form of the blade, like a cascade of blood, obliquely slashing her feeble form of flesh asunder.\n\n`ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴅᴇ'ꜱ ꜰᴏʀᴍ ɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ᴄʀɪᴍꜱᴏɴ ꜱᴏʟᴇʟʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʀᴇꜰɪɴᴇᴅ ᴇᴄʟɪᴘꜱᴇ ᴘʀᴀʏᴇʀ.`\n\n\nThe blade would rip her skin, flesh, bone and body apart; her torso would be rent in two upon the impact of the lengthened blade's killing edge. \nThe lethality of the attack was such that it could be felt Before it had even happened.\n\n That grim end would be her inevitable future if she did not rescind her careless action and struggle for her own life. The crimson, arcane extension of the blade's form traversed a preposterous distance of over five meters, cutting from the upper-left to the lower-right in an unblockable, all-piercing slash. She would be granted the single option to anticipate and dodge the attack before it even happened, her sole escape route to Leap from the roof to the street leading to the greattower.\n\n\n\n_ _\n\nAs Tabby's following acts decided the outcome of her life, the knight glances down at the form of the second intruder — the third having left of his own volition, strangely enough — and beholds as he constructed a device with the intent to utilize it as a weapon to strike itself down. The knight, with its right hand still rested firmly on its now-sheathed blade, leaps from the vantagepoint of the rooftop in tandem with the trigger being pulled, dashing forth as so to Clear distance between itself and Cumhall.* \n\nThe initial blast Barely missed its chest and head as the knight leapt from the building in anticipation of the attack. Cumhall would have to move swiftly to neutralize its movement, lest he wish to leave himself within the proximity of its Unsheathed, extended blade." } ]	361.5	1,653
325.25	2022-04-30	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "Tabby watches the blade slice towards her, rolling to the direction of the street and jumping off - admittedly a bit more difficult to do in Medium Armor, yet not impossible. \n\n\"Where'd your friend go??\" She asks Cumhall — somewhere on the Left — remaining completely invisible before her Concentration Fizzles out. Clearly this knight isn't fooled by Invisibility... \n\nSo, like with many other threats, Tabby grabs her Weapon Bag of Holding, her Defender spilling out as she too becomes visible. She hands this defender the Trinket Bag and begins to speak aloud.\n\n\"I have an ultimatum for you! You grant safe passage, and you Won't Spend the last 30 minutes of your life drifting in and out of consciousness as reality itself twists and warps around you!\" She calls over, as the defender moves upward, Tabby behind, interposing it as a mechanical shield. \n\n\"Whaddya say? Want a one-way ticket to your untimely death, or no??\" It's not hard to see why she was kicked out of her Artificer Guild with such incredible deals at her disposal. The others simply couldn't keep up.\n\nAlas, Tabby has used her action and bonus action, so she is forced to End her Turn.\n\n_ _ \n\nTabby materializes Behind The knight upon hopping down, keeping a very appreciative distance, and walking veeeeeery slowly." }, { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"Righ' where i wancha\" -\n```\nHe smiled and whispered to himself as he prepared to enact his \"Master\" Plan, until Where'd your friend go\n```diff\n- \"Wha-\" -\n```\nHis head snapped to the side, as Tabby materialised, he silently cursed to himself as he back peddled. The beam of energy remained on, searing through the wooden structures and burning the grass as he redirected it straight at his foe, the knight would have to change his course to avoid the beam, but the beam would surely follow, a direct path would not be possible and the knight should be sufficiently slowed.\nHe began to form a new plan in his mind, the knight's weapon was long, an advantage when your enemies are far away but it could also be a weakness, he just had to get 1 god hit in before the knight retreated to safety.. That's if he could get close enough in the first place." }, { "author": "OTAARAA, EXILED ECLIPSE KNIGHT", "message": "The knight pays no heed to the words of the contemptible outsider. From beyond its silver plate, it hears all but heeds not, its duty unerring in the face of all manner of either threat or danger. Even in exile, an Eclipse Knight is dutiful unto death, and solitary in its vow. A single word could not be provoked from the knight's sealed lips, and neither could its right hand of duty be urged from its blade. \n\nThe knight did not so much as turn an eye to view Tabby as she voiced her ultimatum, proceeding in its sustained charge forwards — towards Cumhall. As he used a ranged attack which seemed to the knight like magic, he was the preeminent threat amongst the two, and thus the knight would seek to eliminate him first. Its back was thus left open to Tabby, yet as it sprinted forth, it would continue to build distance between itself and the second adversary at its rear flank. Further, that same, strange sensation, As if she was being watched, Persisted, even despite the knight not directly facing Tabby, nor her Steel Defender. The Eclipse Knight did not mundanely watch over Tabby, yet enabled through the transmundane of the Prayers of the Eclipse, it continued to oversee her nonetheless.\n_ _\n\nIts silver boots slamming against the stone road below, it managed to keep pace with Cumhall's retreat due to its established momentum, yet would have to break from its full sprint as he adjusted the trajectory of the beam-weapon to threaten its own body. While it did not know what the outcome would be, were it to be struck by the attack head-on, the knight demonstrated extreme caution when faced by his attack. Adjusting the angle at which it dashed forth, the knight relinquishes its forwards momentum to Sidestep the oncoming beam, Changing its course to approach Cumhall at a diagonal angle. Cumhall could likely outpace the fully-armored knight were he to continue retreating, however, especially due to the angled route by which it now sprinted.\n\nIt sought only to get him into its effective range — which it had previously demonstrated to be up to a preposterous four meters — its right hand firmly affixed to the grip of its sword, even in its rushed, forwards dash. Were it to finally entrap Cumhall in its effective range, the knight would certainly make an attack directed to instantaneously end his life. Utmost caution would have to be practiced." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "So, being left to her own devices, Tabby's gauntlet — __Bzzzzzrttttttt__ — comes alive, crackling with electricity as she casts the cantrip Lightning Lure, intending to yank the knight's sword straight out of his hand, sending a jolt of electricity down the — assumedly — metal blade. Certainly not enough to be fatal, but enough to be startling; hoping they would just drop it due to the sudden burst of energy. Of course, if they did, the sword would be dragged 10 feet away from the enemy, closer to Tabby herself.\n\nRight, well...\n\nThe defender reaches behind its back, unhooking the Bag of Weapons and emptying it of the crossbow — no bolts needed, which it drops on the ground next to Tabby, moving close — closer, yet closer to the knight, ready to do some real scary shit in a minute here that would cause extreme distress, panic, and ~~probably~~ most definitely kill the foe. \n\n\"Back up!\" Tabby yells, warning Cumhall to get the fuck away from whatever is about to happen. \"This is going to be VERY Hairy if you don't!!!\" \n\nBut, action economy strikes again, and the scheming tabaxi is forced to End her Turn." } ]	293.5	1,301
391.5	2022-05-01	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "As the knight moves ever closer he doesn't let up with the beam, constantly tracking behind the knight, who would be force to move in a circular motion as it got closer.\n```diff\n- \"Drone, come here\" -\n```\nHe prepares to drop the attack and do some sick ass action movie shit, before being interrupted by Tabby's warning, he considers for a moment, he could step back and let whatever is about to happen happen, or he could just charge in and ignore the warning.\n```diff\n- \"What's the worst that could happen?\" -\n```\nHe smiles behind his helmet and nods to the drone.\n```diff\n- \"Old man dinklewood maneuver\"-\n```\nAs he lets go of the trigger and drops the rifle, the beam ceases with a soft fizzle, before Cumhall swiftly charges forward, there was a soft hissing and a series of clicks as his robotic right arm began to shift and contract, drawing back as small metal panels opened with spurts of flame and steam." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone knew immediately what to do, it would likely be safe from attack due to its small size and aerial mobility, it would rocket forth with an impressive speed towards the knight, but stop short of slamming into its face, swiftly the drone flipped over, latching onto the knights helmet and blasting it with flame, the attack would be of minor inconvenience as the knight could easily grab the drone with its free hand, and probably wouldn't even hinder the knight's perception yet should be just enough of a distraction for Cumhall to get one good strike in." }, { "author": "OTAARAA, EXILED ECLIPSE KNIGHT", "message": "The knight continues in its sprint about Cumhall, up until the moment he released his trigger. As he lowered his rifle and thus cancelled the channeling of the oncoming beam, it took on a straightened path towards the ranged-attack user before it, now full-sprinting directly towards him, the knight's right hand still firmly upon the handle of the sheathed, crimson blade. \n\n*`Grasp.`\n\nTabby's lightning-based rope ravels about the knight's right hand, its electric jolt rippling through the knight's armor and across its arm, jolts of electricity buzzing throughout his body as the spell's arcane offensive took effect.\n\nHowever.\n\nThe knight's grip on its sword does not so much budge as an inch.\n\nExiled Eclipse Knight, the Silver Otaaraa, of the Arueian Order of the Right Hand of Duty.\n\nHe was one who was born, raised, lived, and existed for a sole purpose: to never voice his own identity, and to live solitarily as a dutiful Right Hand of the Eclipse. His body was a testament to this simple order, and so too was his grip. He was indeed a dutiful Right Hand, and was never to err from the blade of knighthood. Neither the shock nor the pulling force of the ability could move the knight or his strengthened Right Hand a single centimeter.* For he was dutiful to the Order of the Right Hand, even in exile, and even unto death. The blade represented his pride and soul, and could never be parted from his person; it had grown so close to his nature that it had even become an Object of prayer.\n\nThe knight, seeing a shift in battleplans, turns and sets its eyes on Tabby, who pertinaciously clung to him and sought to immobilize him in his offensive against Cumhall. \n\n```diff\n- \" \" \n- \" \"```\n_ _\n\nThe knight silently mouthed two sentences, its mouth hidden beneath the glimmering silver of its helm. Its eyes, emboldened by the halo of the Eclipse, emanate a dim red glow, as the knight's spirit is roused. Those peering crimson eyes which shifted off of Cumhall rested upon the form of the Steel Defender which grew close, as the knight's grip on its sword shift~~`s `~~\n\n*```diff\n- 𝕊 -\n- ℙ -\n- 𝕃 -\n- 𝕀 - \n- 𝕋 -```\n\nFrom right shoulder to left hip—\nOvershadowed by an arcane curtain of flowing blood, lingering within the atmosphere like a stroke of a red-inked brush across a canvas—\nThe Steel Defender, so precariously and defenselessly placed in the knight's offensive reach, __is instantaneously split in two.__\n\n`CLINK`\n\nThe sword was found back in its sheathe before its crimsonless silver could be seen, open, by the naked eye.\n\n`Hhhhummm...`\n\nAs it was for Tabby when she found herself behind the knight, so too was it for the oncoming drone. The knight's Mundane* Eyes may have departed from Cumhall's form, yet his Transmundane Eyes of an arcane, awakened nature had never left. Indeed, he was watching Both of them simultaneously, The cold chill of his watching, crimson eyes peering above and beyond physical limitations, granting him the ability to react to the drone as it approached rapidly from Behind.\n_ _\n\n*`Swing!`\n\n...A loose, bloodless, and unenchanted slash. Strong, coordinated, and dexterous, yet not utterly devastating as his earlier attack, the Knight swung at the oncoming drone as it approached,* Seeking to either split it in half or force it to adjust its course of approach as so not to directly latch on to the knight's helm. The slash was lacking of the arcane envelopment of crimson energy that it once possessed, gleaming with only the silver shine of the metal itself. As such, the knight sheathed the weapon in haste.\n\n*`CLINK`" }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "\"Oh, Shit.....\" Tabby says, looking rather defeated and placing her hand to her muzzle, idly thinking — clearly not too effected by the sudden destruction of the automaton — about what to do next.\n\nOh, well that's a thought...* She thinks to herself, glancing at the two squabbling people over there before turning her back and walking away calmly.\n\nShe scoops up her crossbow off the ground and uses her Bonus Action To cast a 4th level Searing Smite, the magic bolt loading into the crossbow's flight groove, burning with an extreme amount of arcane Fire, the bow's string cocking back as energy flows out through her gauntlets, combining with that of the intricately crafted Ruby of the War Mage Adorned on said weapon and forming into a searing shot.\n\nWell, let's cross our paw and see what happens..\n\nSo, Tabby turns around, well outside of what she Theorizes Could be the knight's max range, and takes the action to Attack, shooting one lava-like ammunition aimed squarely at the knight's right kneecap, hoping to stagger or throw the foe off-balance. The bow instantly reloads, ready for Tabby's Extra Attack, aimed directly at the knight's upper chest — should the knight falter in stance, the energy would certainly hit around the chin of the terrible adversary.\n\nYes, Tabby is indeed going to camp out Otaaraa, and take as many pot-shots as possible while doing so with the comfort of her Smite at her side.\n\nWith the defender out of the fray, Tabby is forced to End her Turn, hoping that the knight would be slain then and there." } ]	288.5	1,566
538.666667	2022-05-02	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "```diff\n- \"Heh, fool\" -\n```\nThe knight had played right into his hand, by dropping his attack his foe had become more concerned with dealing with the automata, just the opening he needed. Swiftly he rushed forward and undoubtedly the knight would take a swing, at a diagonal no doubt, but rather than dodge sideways or back, he ducked low and dodged Toward The knight, for the sword was so long that it created a weak spot, the blade could not reach the knight's feet unless he were to lift his hand above his head in a position that would not allow for very adept strikes and should not be possible if the knight had already committed himself to one strike, the knight of course could back step, but Cumhall only needed One good strike.\nHis right arm drew back a complete 180 degrees, a loud mechanical whirr began and then,\n``` CRACKOOM ```\nIt snapped forward so fast it was likely to injure the eardrums of anyone close by, the arm tore free from his body from the sheer force and rocketed with the the speed of a bullet straight into the knight's chest." }, { "author": "OTAARAA, EXILED ECLIPSE KNIGHT", "message": "The knight does not falter in the face of danger.\nThe knight does not falter as he sees the two split.\nThe knight does not falter as a conclusion is met — that he has fallen for bait.\nThe knight does not falter as Cumhall approaches, nor as Tabby retreats.\nThe knight does not falter, and does not so much as mutter or breathe a single complaint.\nThe knight does not falter under any circumstances, and maintains a level head\nFor it is a dutiful Right Hand, and is not to feel such things as incollegial, volatile Emotion. \n\nNo, the knight remains calm, its peering eyes of crimson wide-open, its stance not faltering as it witnesses Cumhall charge forth. Its blade had sheathed the instance after it had released its swing towards the drone, and would remain steady within that sheathe as Cumhall approached. There would be no panic, no alarm, and not a single impulsive motion in reaction to his hastened approach. The knight's eyes rather remained affixed on his form, watching each and every twitch of his motion as he approached closer and closer, its dutiful Right Hand still resting calmly about the handle of its blade.\n_ _\n\nA dodge downwards from its adversary, and the knight, without having yet budged its sword from its holster, shifts its footwork, its stance shifting in a descending motion. Its fingers furled about the blade, it prepared to unsheathe its blade in an upwards slash that originated from a far, downwards trajectory. The distance between itself and Cumhall combined with the immense speed and dexterity that the knight possessed with its silver blade — its single slash towards the drone consuming no more than a fraction of a second, and the following sheathing of the blade after such a slash being equally as swift — granted the knight the meager distance it required to raise its guard, and to prepare a counterattack. It would not recklessly slash diagonally at Cumhall as he had expected, and remained calm as he approached, preparing for the moment that he would enter the bare blade's range.\n\nCumhall had made a dangerous assumption — that the prayer had a Set range of four meters, And not that it could rather reach Up to Four meters. Indeed, The latter was the truth in this circumstance. Even further... The prayer was not required to be active at all times.\n\n`The closer he grew, the further he buried himself within the effective range of the knight's instantaneously lethal slash.`\n\nThe silver blade of a Right Hand is a representation of their Duty, and oft to those who closely cling to the Arueian Order of Knighthood make this very blade their object of prayer. It is said that a skilled swordsman makes a blade an extension of their body. Yet for this Eclipse Knight, this sword had not just been made an extension of its silver-clad body, but an extension of its Anima — its very Soul.** The moment of time it was granted to backstep, it would instead use to Counterattack. Its left hand at the rear of the sheathe, it tips the handle of the blade Downwards, Its posture shifting in coordination, and its right hand gripped tightly in preparation for a powerful motion that would burst downwards from the sheathe, pivoting into a lethal, bloodless Upwards slash With the silvered blade, aimed to lethally intercept Cumhall's technologically-enhanced punch. *The sword is mightier than the—\n\n`PTIN—K!`\n\nIn that moment of focus, it had broken its Transmundane eyes* From Tabby, and she capitalized — her crossbow, infused with flames, struck the knight in its knee, and broke the careful stance and balance it had built to crushingly counter Cumhall's onwards approach. The blade is not leased from its sheath, the attack is not followed-through, and the knight is forced into a stumble, incapable of stopping Cumhall from releasing the enhanced punch, his Fist colliding momentously with the knight's silver breastplate.\n\n__*ＣＲＡＳＨ__\n\nThe knight is sent hurtling backwards, the extreme momentum of Cumhall's fist transferring throughout the knight's breastplate and across his body, brutally denting the metal and likely severely damaging the tissue beneath. The knight is flung a shorter distance of about ~1.5 meters, rolling across the ground, before skidding to a stop — slamming its armored right hand into the ground to slow its backwards motion and to regain an upright stance. Clearly damaged, yet not entirely incapacitated, the knight slowly rose to its feet, placing its hand back atop its blade's handle, locking eyes with the enemy opposite itself. It would not let the extent of the damage done to itself be revealed, and would remain steadfast even after the blow, Preparing itself to block yet another offensive.* Tabby's follow-up bolt misses as a result due to its displacement, and the knight, glancing in her direction, seems more aware of her position on the battlefield." }, { "author": "Tabby Browncoat", "message": "That idiot nearly got himself killed..! Tabby recognizes, calling out. \"Back the hell up! You're about to get a one-way all-expenses paid trip to the Nine Hells!!\"\n\nShe readies another two shots instantaneously, thanks to her Repeating Shot-infused crossbow; the embers of the smite still lingering and flickering with an incredibly intensity — one aiming to burn and keep burning until the job is done.\n\nTabby decides to play a bit of a game, stepping a few more paces back and shooting her two shots as apart of her Attack And Extra Attack, aiming one directly for the knight's left shoulder — knowing full well that it would be very unlikely to actually make contact. With this in mind, Tabby additionally strikes for the left Thigh, hoping that it would put Otaaraa in a very unfavorable position to deflect both at the same time, the arcane energy soaring towards their mark as Tabby prays that she didn't screw up, or that Cumhall can close the distance and make a distraction for her sniper-shots. C'mon... C'mon..\n\nWith her action taken, Tabby blurts out her strategy — not like the knight could do much to stop it if it came to fruition.\n\n\"Do what I'm doing! If we both take turns shooting from a safe distance they'll have to pick a target and leave themselve vulnerable to the other!!\"\n\nAfter finishing her train of thought, Tabby is forced to End her Turn." } ]	317	1,616
271.333333	2022-05-07	GuildTextChat	[ { "author": "Cumhall", "message": "Sighing, Cumhall began to collect himself, he placed his left hand upon his shoulder and grunted as he flexed the muscle. He stood up straight with a Crick And cough.\n```diff\n- \"Too fuckin' old for this\" -\n```\nHe grumbled to himself turning his back and walking towards the tower, taking a seat upon a rock he brought his right arm upon his lap, opening the metallic plating and examining the insides all the while grumbling to himself, there was a reason he didn't engage in close quarters combat on the regular and it had taken a toll on both his organic and mechanical body parts.\n```diff\n- \"Make yourself useful drone\" -\n```\nHe didn't even look at his robotic companion, as he began to realign and reset various internal components within his arm." }, { "author": "Morrigan", "message": "The drone on the other hand had come out unscathed, taking a moment to inspect the fallen knight, it hovered around Cumhall briefly until it was given the order to continue forward, in truth it didn't need to listen to him but it was concerned for his health, after all without apposable thumbs operating the VARET would be rather difficult.\nWith that the drone whirled and continued on, flying over what remained of the wooden fortifications and into the tower." }, { "author": "exousian", "message": "The drone, flying above and beyond the fortifications and towards the tower, would be able to glean much of the surroundings positioned about the foot of the root-grown, vertical structure. Revealed, beyond the wooden fortifications, is a barren, cylindrical radius about the base of the tower, covered in rubble of both the surrounding wood and stones of broken structures strewn carelessly across the ground, and the form of what appeared to be shattered weapons, chunks of broken armor, and even *Bones,* Chipped, shattered, and broken. It appeared that manifold battles occurred about the tower, yet battles of a bygone era; the state of the rubble and bones suggested that they originated from a conflict that had occurred well-over several decades ago. Nonetheless, it is a messy and partially gruesome scene, as though a wild beast had torn through dozens of armored men simultaneously...\n\nIn its attempt to enter the tower, the drone would meet quite the roadblock. It seemed that the tower possessed not a singular window or opening into its resilient, stony structure, travelling straight upwards and beyond the false green sky overhead. Overgrown and raveled about by the tendril-like form of dozens-upon-dozens of offshoot growths of the ethereal, glowing blue root, the sole entrance into the tower — positioned at the very bottom front of the tower (relative to the wooden fortifications) — had been shut up and tightly sealed by the immense form of the overgrowth. The tower was sealed tightly, top-to-bottom, and there wasn't even a way to access its very top.\n_ _\n\nMost concerningly, however, would not be the rubble or the lack of entries into the tower, but rather the tremendous form of what appeared to be a Monstrous beast. Hunched over, vaguely humanoid in shape, herculean in size, and with what appeared to be Branchlike growths erupting from its head, the beast appeared to be either unconscious or in intense pain. With its left hand, it grasped one of the few places on its head where the root did not grow and grotesquely restructure its shape, its face pressed against the ground, buried in a small clump of accumulated dirt. In its right hand, it limply wielded a Tremendous greatsword, likely over two-and-a-half meters in length, Lain across the ground at its side. The true size of the beast could not yet be apprehended, due to its hunched and lain position against the ground, yet judging by the size of the sword it wielded, it would certainly be most massive when it stood on its two feet." } ]	173	814

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